Students show off eco-friendly sand wall design
Architectural engineering students showed a new design of an eco-friendly sand wall at the Dubai Design Week which its creators believe it could revolutionize the construction industry.
The design is the fruit of the University of Sharjah's Assistant Professor Dr. Aref Maksoud and his students at the College of Engineering's Architecture Department
The original model was shown at the Dubai exhibit, combines sustainable materials and design principles inspired by mother nature.
The eco-friendly wall is wholly made of biodegradable and sustainable plastic called Polylactic Acid mixed with sand.
The 3D-printed wall comprises bricks manufactured from recycled materials that are friendly to nature and the environment.
Explaining how the brick wall works, Dr. Maksoud said, "These bricks are not only durable and structurally sound but also eco-conscious due to the use of PLA, which is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane,"
"The unique and groundbreaking aspect of the Eco-Sand wall lies in its ability to facilitate plant growth directly on the wall's surface.
"This is achieved by embedding seeds within the brick material during the 3D printing process. The seeds are evenly distributed throughout the bricks, allowing them to sprout and grow when exposed to water."
Asked whether the eco-friendly wall had any practical functions, Dr. Maksoud cited numerous usages and applications particularly for construction industries concerned about sustainability and environmental well-being.
He endowed the wall with the ability to improve air quality, promote biodiversity, and contribute to carbon sequestration.
"The Eco-Sand Wall is adaptable to various architectural settings, both exterior and interior, making it a versatile feature in sustainable architecture," he maintained.
It is not the first time Sharjah University students show their innovative designs as part of Dubai Design Week, which its organizers claim it to be the region's largest creative festival.
Dr. Maksoud and his students took part in two previous exhibitions brought together by the Dubai Design Week. They showed off creative designs via augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies.
In Dubai design Week 2021, they presented a 3D printed design of concrete benches. The benches currently adorn one of the University of Sharjah's palm-tree dotted squares.
In 2022, their contribution to the Dubai Design Week was a real-scale foam wall installation in which they explored ways to generate brick wall designs.
Of the students' participation in the Dubai Design Week, Dr. Maksoud said exhibitions like these served "as a platform to spotlight the university's commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture and construction.
"The experience has been crucial for staying at the forefront of our fields, allowing us to immerse ourselves in real work and international events.
"The exhibition thus becomes a stage for promoting awareness about sustainable practices and showcasing real-world applications of eco-friendly materials, aligning with the values of the design community and the overarching themes of the event."
The Eco-Sand Wall exhibit has already been showcased in multiple locations. After its initial appearance at the Dubai Design Week, the design was shown off in COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Dubai.
Currently, it resides at the Architectural Engineering department of the university as "both a sample and model for educational purposes, allowing students to engage with and learn from the innovative features of the Eco-Sand Wall," said Dr. Maksoud.
Provided by University of Sharjah