# Datecrete Transforms Date Pits Into Sustainable Design Materials The award-winning project repurposes agricultural waste into eco-friendly alternatives for modern construction. - **Source:** [design archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/11868f8d-1e20-41ac-bc2d-8c5af32d721b) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/407f05e9-120b-4715-b5a0-a3a3b48141fd ## Award-Winning Sustainable Innovation Datecrete secured the designboom Special Prize at the Seoul Design Award 2026 for its radical approach to sustainability. The project transforms discarded date pits into a versatile raw material for furniture and architecture. By repurposing abundant local waste, the initiative offers a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional, environmentally harmful construction materials. ## Addressing Industrial Waste Challenges The United Arab Emirates consumes between 100,000 and 180,000 metric tons of dates annually, generating massive quantities of discarded pits. Datecrete identifies these hard biological byproducts as an underused resource. This strategy addresses the dual problem of food industry waste and the environmental impact of conventional cement and petrochemical-based resins. ## Proprietary Material Processing System The team developed a specialized system involving collection, cleaning, dehydration, and grading of date pits. These are combined with a patent-pending natural binder to create a moldable material free from synthetic resins. This process draws on regional building knowledge that predates modern Portland cement, blending historical techniques with contemporary material research. ## Versatile Architectural Applications Datecrete functions as a platform for diverse designs rather than a single product. The material is currently used for tiles, cladding, furniture, lighting, and decorative objects. After casting, pieces undergo sanding and polishing to achieve specific finishes. These objects bridge the gap between ancient agricultural history and modern, functional design aesthetics. ## Development and Scaling Milestones Co-founders Sara Farha and Khaled Shalkha began researching the material in 2021. By 2025, the project achieved a significant milestone with the installation of 35 metric tons of paving at the UAE Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka. This application demonstrated the material's durability and potential for large-scale architectural use in public spaces. ## Collaborative Research and Refinement The material's evolution relies on continuous collaboration between the founders, architects, makers, and production partners. Each application provides data that helps refine the casting, installation, and performance of the mixture. This feedback loop ensures that the production process is constantly optimized for future projects, maintaining a tactile connection to its origins. ## Future Vision and Scalability The founders aim to transition from bespoke applications toward large-scale architectural systems. Their vision extends beyond the Middle East, as the system can be adapted to any region with lignocellulosic agricultural byproducts. By modifying the binder system to accommodate different raw materials, the team hopes to create new, sustainable architectural resources globally. ## Recognition of Design Values The Seoul Design Award jury recognized Datecrete for its curiosity, playful disruption, and meaningful impact. By avoiding cement and petrochemicals, the project connects material innovation with regional resources. It stands as a model for how designers can transform undervalued waste into functional, durable, and aesthetically ambitious solutions for the modern world. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/design/datecrete-date-pits-design-designboom-special-prize-seoul-design-award-2026/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._