BUILT IN THE UAE, FOR THE WORLD

How DesertBoard turns palm fronds into the future of green building

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n the UAE, DesertBoard stands as a trailblazer in sustainable construction, redefining the industry with its innovative Palm Strand Board (PSB).

The recent completion of a full-scale mock-up home in Dubai Creek Harbour, constructed entirely from PSB boards, marks a pivotal achievement, showcasing the material’s structural integrity and design versatility for residential applications.

Rooted in the UAE's rich heritage, where date palm trees have long symbolised resilience and resourcefulness, DesertBoard draws inspiration from traditional Barasti houses that utilised palm fronds for shelter in the harsh desert climate. This legacy, combined with the forward-thinking vision of the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, culminated in the creation of the world’s first engineered palm-based wooden board in 2021.

By transforming annually regenerated palm fronds — once discarded as waste — into a high-strength, eco-friendly building material, DesertBoard has established itself as a pioneer in the bio-economy, upcycling natural resources into a product that aligns with modern sustainability demands while honouring the region’s cultural heritage. “We're taking what Mother Nature gives us annually and upcycling it into a product that decarbonises the built environment,” says Kamal Farah, a Director at DesertBoard, emphasising the company’s commitment to sustainability and cultural legacy.

Driving the UAE’s sustainability vision