Co-Founded a sustainable materials startup that crafts solid surfaces from upcycled dateseeds.
Timeline
October, 2020 - May, 2024
Role
Co-Founder, Solutions Director;
Led Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Co-Founders
Alhaan Ahmed,
Alyina Ahmed,
Max Tettamanzi
Process
Material R&D, Design for Manufacturing,
Production Setup, Fabrication
From waste to resource
In the UAE, over 108 million kg of date seeds are discarded every year. Ardh Collective began by asking whether this overlooked waste stream could become something of value with cultural and commercial resonance.
Turning date seeds into material
DATEFORM, by Ardh Collective, is a dateseed based solid surface material developed through continuous material R&D. Moving from rough hand-pressed samples to refined sheet material with constant optimization for finish, strength, and adaptability.
2020
First R&D samples
Hand-pressed samples exploring density, texture, and early material behavior.
2021
Final Material Variations
Controlled compositions producing consistent finishes and material character.
2022
Dateform's Sheet Material
Full-scale sheet panels enabling architectural and product applications.
2023
Commercial Applications
DATEFORM applied in real spaces, validating performance and aesthetic value.
Expanding from
samples to applications
DATEFORM was designed to move across scales, from small consumer objects to furniture, interiors, and branded environments.
Its process allowed it to be milled, cast, and formed into uses where both performance and material story mattered.
Visualizing before production
Every project was modeled and rendered to communicate the final look,
finish, and assembly before production.
This process helped clients clearly visualize DATEFORM in their products, while also generating DFM drawings for manufacturers, reducing uncertainty on both ends when working with a new material.
DATEFORM in the real world
Over 40 clients across the UAE’s design and architectural sectors adopted DATEFORM for projects spanning hospitality, retail, luxury, and consumer products.
Tabletop Surfaces
Bone Architects
Terra, AlQana
Indoor Furniture
House of Artisans
Al Shedad Stool
Corporate Gifting
Ajzal Design
Clay Tile Holder
Consumer Electronics
Samsung x FRAME
ZFlip 4 Phone Case
Outdoor Pavillions
Dubai Design Week
From the Dunes & Tree
Homeware Products
Appellation
Incense Holders
Retail Displays
Modu Method
Vacheron Constantin
Food & Beverage
Datebrew
Date Seed based Coffee
Projects that defined Ardh Collective
A series of projects helped shape Ardh Collective’s growth,
proving the material across industries and audiences.
Samsung × Frame
Entering consumer electronics
A limited-edition Z Flip 4 phone case made from DATEFORM for Samsung and Frame’s DRIP collaboration during the launch of the phone in the UAE.
Vacheron Constantin × Modu Method
Applied in luxury retail
DATEFORM was used across the Dubai Mall flagship store, GCC retail displays, and a custom corporate gift for Vacheron Constantin’s Ramadan collaboration with Omar Al Gurg, Among The Pillars.
COP28 x By Asateer
Representing the UAE at COP28
DATEFORM was used to create bespoke pins for World Leaders, tables, and branded objects for COP28, representing both the UAE’s historic roots and its future vision.
Shark Tank Dubai
It's a deal, Sharks!
Ardh Collective pitched on Shark Tank Dubai, securing an investment of AED 1.5M from two Sharks and helping scale the material's production to take it to a wider audience.
Ardh Collective
Reimagining waste as value through materials.
This startup develops discarded agricultural waste, like date seeds, into viable materials used across industries. It demonstrates how material innovation can move beyond experimentation into scalable manufacturing and commercial use.
