Colab, a purpose-built material library within the Dubai Design District (d3), will be presenting an experiential space called 'Rethink' featuring 150 unique, quirky and creative materials in the format of a materials library pop-up at the upcoming Index expo.

 

One of the largest design exhibitions in the Middle East and North Africa region, Index will run from May 31 to June 2 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

 

Conceptualised by Ampersand Company, a boutique architect and interior design consultancy, and

built by Carve, bespoke interiors and joinery specialist with over 30 years of experience, Rethink aims to educate and inspire the design and build community by expanding their material palette and highlighting ways in which they could work with new and existing materials.

 

Architects and interior designers are being invited to explore a range of both commercially available materials and cutting-edge innovative materials and connect with a global pool of suppliers. 

 

The focus is not just on the materials, but also the ways in which designers and contractors can relook their material specification to be more responsible with material consumption and waste. In addition, the design of the space has been conceptualized so that it can have a second life after Index, said the event organisers. 

 

The majority of the elements of the stand have been made from sustainable materials including recycled wood panels, repurposed offcuts, and reused flooring; all of which will be reconfigured and reinstalled at Carve’s customer experience center in Jebel Ali once the exhibition is over, it added.

 

"The idea behind Rethink is that we’d like the architectural and design community to not only rethink the materials that they build with but also rethink their material consumption and how materials are specified," said Richard Wilson, Creative Director & Founder at Colab.

 

"Given that the global building and construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, whilst also having a significant impact on our natural habitats, it is important that we, as an industry, take a closer look at materials," he added.

 

According to Wilson, the design ethos and principles employed by Ampersand Company for the Rethink stand marry minimalism and sustainability. 

 

Ampersand designed an exhibition system that uses sustainable materials that can be reconfigured and reused. Carve engineered and manufactured the stand using clean-process method, which requires smaller, less polluting, transport. 

 

This holistic approach to sustainability and strong integration with the build process, allows Ampersand’s team to ‘rethink’ and revitalize projects across the hospitality, residential and commercial sectors.

 

The world’s first Carbon tile made from air pollution; a biocomposite leather alternative made entirely from organic and sustainable bacterial cellulose, grown on coconut water sourced from the coconut industry in southern India; ‘Augmented Wood' - a sustainable material with the strength profile of metal and the cost profile of low-grade wood; and an exterior cladding made from discarded building products (plastic mainly) are some of the unique materials that will be on display at Index, he stated. 

 

The key focus throughout is on sustainability and on materials that have been upcycled for instance or have a zero-waste factor and materials with low embodied carbon.

 

"As design and decorative materials become inspired by an inclination towards being environmentally-friendly, build processes may have the biggest opportunity to impact our environmental footprint. At Carve, we have a deep commitment to collaboration and integrating design and build teams," observed Sumit Pathak, CEO at Carve.

 

"We work closely with architects and designers and end users, from concept to execution, to integrate sustainable practices across the value chain, all while ensuring that a designer’s vision is not only realized, but also elevated," stated Pathak. 

 

"Seeking out new materials, new techniques and constantly striving for excellence in quality and delivery, is the only way we envision building the next wave of the future. We strive to create every interiors space and joinery element with complete respect for the environment and the artisans behind them," he added.-TradeArabia News Service