Mohammad Samara and Khaled Al Shaer
The UAE's premier design festival returns, attracting design aficionados to the 10th edition of Dubai Design Week. This six-day event, running until November 10, features an impressive roster of over 500 designers from more than 40 countries, showcasing a mega-event at the design fair. Amidst this vibrant display, two Arab artisans are spearheading the UAE's sustainability initiatives, reinforcing their commitment through an eco-conscious design philosophy. Mohammad Samara and Khaled Al Shaer are resolute in advancing sustainable design, emphasizing the transformative potential of upcycled materials. Their latest venture, 'The Sanad Collection,' embodies this ethos by repurposing discarded stone into elegant coffee tables that harmoniously blend functionality with sustainability.
Through this project, the architect-designer pair underscore the potential of discarded materials, illustrating that luxury, sophistication, and responsibility can coexist harmoniously in the design realm. For Samara and Al Shaer, the commitment to eco-conscious design stems from a shared responsibility to foster a more sustainable world for current and future generations. 'Creating change has always been our driving force,' says Samara, a Palestinian-Jordanian architect. 'We strive to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our design.' The duo also notes that the historical context of design in the UAE has always inclined towards sustainability, focusing on well-crafted, timeless objects. 'However, the rising trends of disposable consumption have diluted perceptions of value and longevity, making it imperative to advocate for sustainability in the design field,' says Al Shaer, an Emirati-Lebanese designer.
'We do see positive strides being made in the UAE,' he adds. 'We hope that this trend continues to spread across different industries to embrace sustainable practices for a collectively better future.' As an architect with a keen research focus, Samara has been exploring local and sustainable materials that have the potential to significantly reduce carbon footprints. 'Through our extensive field research, we've discovered that the landscape of the UAE offers a plethora of local materials,' he adds. Consequently, 'The Sanad Collection' was built on this philosophy, utilizing discarded material to champion sustainability and celebrate the artistic value of repurposing waste materials.
The Sanad Collection features lounge tables crafted primarily from off-cut travertine stone, reimagining waste into a functional design piece. 'The collection celebrates the off-cut travertine by suspending it as a weightless slab in the assembly,' Al Shaer explains. With assistance from the Tanween Design Programme, they meticulously sorted and classified off-cut marble, ensuring the highest quality of upcycled travertine. 'The manufacturing process employs modular techniques to minimize additional byproducts,' Samara adds, reinforcing their dedication to a sustainable ethos in every step of production. 'This approach contrasts with traditional expectations of how stone is supported, inviting users to engage with the design piece in a playful manner,' says Al Shaer.
Tashkeel's latest Tanween Design Programme has taken center stage at this year’s fair, showcasing six innovative, sustainable furniture and lighting pieces crafted by participants. The new designs emphasize sustainability, while drawing inspiration from UAE and regional culture. Launched in September with the aim of nurturing and supporting the next generation of designers, the 2025 Tanween Design Programme is now open for applications from aspiring engineers and designers across the UAE until November 17. Successful applicants will undergo a guided process involving research and material experimentation, resulting in creative and functional designs inspired by, and crafted within, the UAE.
At Dubai Design Week, visitors can expect to experience a compelling conversation around upcycling and the transformative power of discarded materials. 'We encourage visitors to engage in the discourse about how sustainable processes can lead to regionally relevant, desirable, and timeless design pieces,' says Al Shaer. A central tenet of their design philosophy is finding harmony between functionality and aesthetics while still prioritising eco-friendly design. 'When the context of the environment and end-user is understood correctly, the balance comes naturally,' says Samara. By showcasing the beauty and potential of discarded materials, the duo invites visitors to reimagine what is possible when creativity meets sustainability, proving that design can be both beautiful and mindful of the planet. 'We hope that people find inspiration in our research and design processes, leading to impactful designs that prioritise the user and the planet,' he adds.
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