The Space Within installation by ARDH Collective at Dubai Design Week 2025 – All photos are courtesy of Dubai Design Week.
Design. At Dubai Design Week, UAE-based sustainable material manufacturer ARDH Collective unveils The Space Within, a serene architectural installation that celebrates sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation. Minimal yet expressive, The Space Within reimagines the courtyard as a tranquil retreat — proving that meaningful design can grow directly from the earth beneath our feet or from the fronds above our heads.
- RELATED STORIES: Read more about Dubai Design Week 2025 on Archipanic.
The installation rises from DuneBlocks — modular forms crafted from DuneCrete, a next-generation low-carbon concrete that turns desert sand into sculptural strength. Through its circular openings, the structure plays with light and shadow, evoking the shifting glow of the dunes at sunset.
DuneCrete replaces ecologically damaging riverbed sand and cuts cement content by half. The result? A material that delivers the same strength as traditional concrete while reducing embodied carbon by up to 50%.
At the heart of The Space Within stands a round table — a centrepiece that embodies ARDH Collective’s commitment to research and experimentation. Displayed across it are prototypes and material explorations, including the Emtidad coffee table, which elegantly merges traditional Emirati khoos weaving with DuneCrete, fusing local craft with contemporary innovation. Also on display is a 3D-printed vessel digitally crafted at the ARDH Collective’s facility in the UAE.
Another striking feature is DateForm, the world’s first solid surface made from discarded date seeds. Over 1,000 seeds per square metre are roasted and compressed with birch plywood, offering durability, tactility, and an authentic connection to the UAE’s natural resources.
Beyond The Space Within, ARDH Collective also collaborated with Downtown Design to create a sustainable entrance installation. “Shadows and patterns cast by DuneBlocks blend with the landscape design, creating harmony and stillness.” The structure showcases the versatility of DuneBlocks, which are available in diverse shapes, sizes, and natural tones.
“At ARDH Collective, we innovate by transforming waste and natural resources into revolutionary building materials,” explain co-founders Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed, and Maximo Tettamanzi. The Space Within stands as both a pavilion and a philosophy — a quiet revolution in sustainable design that begins, quite literally, from the desert ground up.
All photos are courtesy of Dubai Design Week.
