AlZaina Lootah

For the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme, architect AlZaina Lootah has embarked on a project to combine sand, wood, and frankincense into a novel sustainable material she’s named “إرث” (Irth) meaning inheritance in Arabic. This material merges traditional craftsmanship with modern design, creating a material that honours historical and cultural significance while prioritising sustainability.

May - July 2024:

AlZaina began the project by researching the materials' historical and environmental contexts. She found that sand is a key resource in the UAE’s desert landscape and has long influenced local architecture and economy, while wood, though limited in the desert, has been crucial in traditional construction and maritime activities. She also discovered that frankincense has been used for centuries in the region’s trade and cultural practices for both its aroma and medicinal properties.

July - September 2024:

The architect conducted multiple experiments to refine the material. Her first experiment combined wood shavings, sand, and frankincense. The result was a sturdy, dual-textured outcome with a smooth, silky side and a robust, textured side. While AlZaina considered the experiment a success, she noticed that the wood and sand didn’t intermix, so she decided to test a different approach. 

In her subsequent trials, the architect blended the sand and wood then added the frankincense. She found that the wood cracked upon interacting with the frankincense, achieving a "terrazzo-like" visual effect but compromising sturdiness. She then introduced palm husks, which added a unique aesthetic, but only somewhat succeeded as reinforcement.

Next Steps:

AlZaina’s future explorations will aim to develop functional, eco-friendly products, such as holders or sculptural table lamps.

AlZaina’s project underscores the potential of sustainable materials to bridge tradition and innovation. The uniqueness of each sample outcome demonstrates the beauty and sustainability of traditional craft over mass production. 

AlZaina Lootah, an architect from the American University of Sharjah, designs at Gensler Middle East, blending tradition with modernity in her work, focusing on architecture as a reflection of culture and context. As part of the Material Lab 2024 Programme, AlZaina is working with wood shavings, sand, and frankincense.