A decision by Brisbane apartment developers to use a self-cleaning wonder glass that eliminates skin cancer-causing UV rays has been hailed as an important breakthrough by one of Australia's leading experts in molecular science.
Professor Huai Yong Zhu, an authority on nanotechnology at Queensland University of Technology, says incorporating nano-glass in a 25-level apartment tower project in Fortitude Valley "will set a precedent for future residential construction in Australia". 
The nano-glass technology reduces UV rays - the major cause of skin cancer, which takes 1700 Australian lives each year &shy;- by 99 per cent. It also shields heat by up to 67.1 per cent and keeps rooms up to 8.3 degrees cooler.
"Titanium dioxide is the main component of nano-glass and it essentially acts as a coating which absorbs UV light and breaks down the organic compounds," Professor Zhu says. "Normal glass only cuts UV rays by about 10 per cent, so nano-glass will offer significantly greater protection from harsh Australian UV light.
"The titanium dioxide coating also creates a self-cleaning function, which eliminates the need for manual cleaning, saving an otherwise substantial cost. It's an astute move by the developer considering Brisbane's climate and Australia's high rates of skin cancer."
Nano-glass technology originated in Japan in 1995, and has since been used in Asia, Europe and the United States. Professor Zhu says its Australian introduction showed the sun-smart message was being embraced.
"But we haven't embraced it to the extent of the rest of the world. In Asia, for example, people are very astute when it comes to sun protection."
Sandt Developments' $180 million Utopia Space tower in Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, is the first Australian apartment project to use nano-glass. Development manager Bill Wang says it was more than 50 per cent pre-sold in the weeks after its launch in late   September and has attracted a high proportion of investors.
"We concentrate on developing in Brisbane because we see a potential for capital growth as well as population growth," he says. "It's a much more secure market compared with Melbourne, which we see as already reaching its capacity.
"Sales have been more to investors than owner-occupiers, mainly because the age demographic of Fortitude Valley is about 30 years old with few families and mainly single-income professional people. That makes it a good place to attract tenants, but Utopia's luxurious lifestyle will also appeal to owner-occupiers."
The Utopia Space tower will house 300 apartments. One-bedroom versions are priced from $399,000 and two-bedrooms from $580,000. Communal areas include a recreation deck with an infinity pool, steam room, gym, sauna and reading room.
A rooftop garden will include an open-air cinema, yoga lawn, open-air kitchen, barbecue area, extensive planting and an alfresco dining area.
Mr Wang says Brisbane City Council relaxed the 20-level height limit in its urban renewal plan due to the site's importance. "It's a significant corner, one of the landmark spaces in the valley and coming down from Brisbane CBD you can't miss it," he says.
The tower's architect, Kris Kowalski of Kris Kowalski Architects, describes it as a beacon of a building. "It will stand on the corner of a very prominent intersection and what I wanted to do was to make it something special," he says.
Another unusual twist to Utopia's apartments - given Brisbane's climate &shy;- is that they all have balconies that can be fully enclosed with folding glass partitions.
"It gives residents the right to choose," Mr Kowalski says. "The balconies can be fully furnished to extend the interior living space, and then opened up to enjoy balmy sub-tropical evenings. We're also in a very popular entertainment precinct, that's part of the attraction for residents, but they will be able to shut the noise out when they wish."
The project's sales office is on-site and has a full two-bedroom display suite with parking available. 
For more information visit utopiaspace.com.au.