In Dubai, ARDH Collective has turned the region’s abundant desert sand into a high-strength building material. Its product, DuneCrete, is being used for architectural elements, including blocks and panels, with up to 50% less cement and a similar reduction in embedded carbon, information from the company’s technical data.
The challenge lies in the grains themselves. Wind-blown desert sand is typically fine-grained, with rounded, polished surfaces, unlike the more angular aggregate commonly used in concrete. As Osaka Wire explains, “Concrete requires angular grains that interlock and bind with cement paste.” The shape and surface of dune sand can make it less suitable for conventional concrete mixes, even in a region where sand is abundant.
That distinction has shaped construction in the Gulf. Osaka Wire reports that sand used for the Burj Khalifa was imported from Australia. It also puts the sand used for Palm Jumeirah at about 385 million tonnes and for the World Islands at about 450 million tonnes, illustrating the scale of material demand behind Dubai’s development. These projects involved different construction and reclamation needs, but together they show why local abundance does not automatically make a material suitable for every engineering purpose.
Architects Máximo Tettamanzi and Alyina Ahmed began tackling the problem while studying in London, then continued their experiments in a makeshift Dubai garage during the pandemic. After extensive testing, they stabilized a formula that could withstand compression tests, achieving a C39 strength rating. DuneCrete is now used for blocks, panels and architectural elements, with the mix tailored to each product and application.
Engineering a New Material
DuneCrete’s basic proposition is to maintain strength while reducing cement content. ARDH Collective says its product can use up to 50% less cement and deliver a similar reduction in embedded carbon. The company’s figures vary by mix and application. The claim sits within a wider construction challenge: Osaka Wire, citing the International Resource Panel, reports that material extraction and processing account for about 60% of global warming emissions. Cutting cement use could reduce a product’s footprint, while the sand question also involves the effects of extraction on sediment systems.
The material has been used in architectural applications, from blocks and pavers to customizable façade panels, including work shown at Dubai Design Week 2025. Its current uses are primarily decorative and architectural rather than in major load-bearing structures. Tettamanzi says wider adoption will require further testing and collaboration with engineering consultancies as designs move from individual components toward broader construction uses.
Design and Functionality
One of DuneCrete’s most striking uses is in DuneBlocks, modular, perforated blocks that filter sunlight and preserve privacy. Showcased in the installation The Space Within, the elements echo traditional mashrabiya screens used in hot climates. Their openings admit daylight and airflow while shielding occupants from direct sun and outside view. ARDH Collective highlights potential energy savings and improved ventilation; the blocks’ performance will depend on their configuration and the building where they are installed. The company is also exploring 3D-printed variants, linking DuneCrete to a broader effort to use locally available materials in construction.
Expanding Local Resources
ARDH Collective’s focus on local materials extends beyond sand. Co-founder Alhaan Ahmed has developed DateForm, a solid-surface material made from discarded date pits, which are roasted and ground before being combined with resins. It is used for furniture and interior finishes, offering another example of regional byproducts turned into design materials. DuneCrete and DateForm use different inputs and have distinct technical properties, but both reflect the company’s interest in replacing some imported materials with locally sourced alternatives.
Context and Outlook
Demand for sustainable construction materials is growing as the sector faces pressure to reduce emissions and resource consumption. Sand extraction adds an environmental dimension beyond concrete’s carbon footprint: Osaka Wire describes impacts on sediment systems that help protect coastlines. DuneCrete’s approach addresses the engineering challenge of making dune sand usable in selected building products, while its cement and carbon reductions remain tied to the company’s stated mix and application. As ARDH Collective pursues broader certification and industrial scaling, the material’s role will depend on how its performance translates across projects. Spain is also grappling with infrastructure challenges, as highlighted in a recent analysis of urgent road repairs and funding gaps amid rising construction demands.
