London Design Festival (LDF) takes place in late September, and this year a collection of sustainable, UAE-made materials will be in the spotlight.
Dubai’s first purpose-built material library Colab has teamed up with Isola Design Group to launch its pop-up RETHINK into the European market, and LDF’s Material Matters Fair is the first stop.
“When people think of sustainability, the UAE may not be a place that comes to mind. But over the last five years, the country has made significant efforts to combat environmental issues,” says Richard Wilson, Creative Director and Founder at Colab.
“This year is the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, so this is a perfect opportunity for us to present the country on an international stage. The government is committed to achieving a more sustainable future. We are proud to share their message with the world. Wherever we can make an impact, we should.”
The materials on display will include:
DATEFORM: the world’s first date-seed based solid surface material
RAMEL: a locally sourced desert sand-based revolutionary concrete alternative
Terraboard: a sustainable alternative to traditional wood solution made from unrecyclable waste materials
Leukeather: an innovative natural textile alternative to exotic leather made from discarded dried pods
Palmade: a new biodegradable material made from palm tree waste that serves as an effective alternative to single-use plastics
Datecrete: the world’s first date seed based cementitious material without any trace of resin or concrete
Desert Board: the world’s first sustainable engineered wooden board upcycled from palm biomass residue.
RETHINK is Colab’s ever-evolving pop-up, set to showcase unique materials with a particular focus on those developed in the UAE. Its aim is to educate the design community and make people ‘rethink’ the materials they specify.