Wood and cardboard leftovers seem to multiply at an alarming rate, populating trashcans, with seemingly no further use.

Designed by Ali Al-Sammarraie

Born in 1991 in Iraq, Ali Al-Sammarraie graduated as architect from the American University of Sharjah and Louisiana State University, USA. With interests in academic research, design and drawing that combine architecture, art and society, his paper, Future architecture in the UAE: A hybrid of tradition and technology, is an award-winning exploration of society, context and present architecture in the UAE, which hybridise modern technology with local identity. He also has great interest in religion, society, science and tries to tie them back into design. In 2014, Al-Sammarraie, along with Nobel Prize winners, spoke at the conference entitled, Science and religion: An educational approach, which dealt with religion, science and contemporary societal issues.

Wood and cardboard leftovers seem to multiply at an alarming rate, populating trashcans, with seemingly no further use.

Al-Sammarraie utilises these waste offcuts in different forms and typologies, from dynamic furniture pieces to installations that provide sound and visual barriers. Composed of dozens of reclaimed cardboard pieces and wood, they are cut and assembled using CAD software; the objects provide playful interactions with its users and rekindle the beauty that lies within their materiality.

Detritus Wall, therefore, acts as tool to redefine our perception of the worldview, taking what is inherently deemed to be useless and ugly - waste material - and reutilises it to create an object that portrays sustainability and allure.


Al Fahidi District