A Dubai-based company says it has found a way to turn desert sand, long considered a poor fit for construction, into a high-strength building material that can be formed into blocks, panels, and other architectural elements.
ARDH Collective’s product, called DuneCrete, is designed to use local desert sand while cutting cement content and embedded carbon by up to 50%, based on the company’s technical data. The idea targets a real problem in the region: wind-shaped desert grains are typically too smooth and rounded to bind well in traditional concrete mixes, pushing Gulf countries to import river sand even while surrounded by dunes.
Co-founders and architects Máximo Tettamanzi and Alyina Ahmed began working on the concept during their studies in London and continued testing in Dubai during the pandemic. The company says its stabilized formula has held up in compression testing and achieved a C39 strength rating, though the exact mix varies by product and application.
Right now, DuneCrete is being positioned more for architectural and decorative use than for major load-bearing structures. ARDH Collective has shown the material in blocks, pavers, and customizable facade panels, including at Dubai Design Week 2025. One of the most visible examples is its “DuneBlocks,” modular perforated blocks that filter sunlight and provide privacy, drawing inspiration from traditional mashrabiya screens used in hot climates. The company has also discussed exploring 3D-printed versions.
For mason contractors watching lower-carbon materials, the biggest takeaway is that product claims can vary by use. Public documentation does not spell out universal ratios for every application, and the company has not published across-the-board validation for structural uses. As with any new block or panel system, crews will want clear documentation on tested performance, intended use, and what additional engineering review or certification is required before it shows up in bid specs.
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