UAE-based interdisciplinary designer duo working across art, architecture and material science. They co-founded Datecrete Studio, a material innovation practice developing sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials. Abu Farha is an architectural engineer and urban planner educated at the American University of Sharjah, while Shalkha is a chemical engineer working at the intersection of culture, economy, policy and sustainable materials.
The duo won The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2024, presented by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation in partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi, for their project Datecrete Bee Hotel, a public art installation developed using a cement-free material made from date pits. The project was exhibited at Abu Dhabi Art, NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery and Umm Al Emarat Park.
Through their Datecrete initiative, they continue to develop a patent-pending sustainable material, redefining public art in the UAE through innovation, sustainability and cross disciplinary practice.
“We never imagined our project would be displayed at Abu Dhabi Art.”
