August 4, 2025 | VOL 15
SAND:
the SILENT STORYTELLER
words Alp Tekin
photos Courtesy of Karim+Elias
Have you ever found yourself drifting into the endless expanse of the desert landscape? If so, you might sense a similar feeling in the sand-focused design explorations of Karim+Elias, the Dubai-based studio founded by Karim Tamerji and Elias El Hage.
Why is your design focus on desert sand? Is it solely related to the geography you live in, or are there other reasons as well?
Our studio’s work is essentially built on two interconnected narratives: adopting a local material with cultural significance—desert sand—and preserving an ancient artisanal technique—rammed earth.
Founded in the UAE in 2022, our studio’s vision has been deeply influenced by the geography of the Arab region, particularly its vast desert landscapes. Sand is an ever-present element in this environment, carrying a profound historical, cultural, and symbolic significance. We saw this as an opportunity worth exploring and asked ourselves: "How can we honour the region’s most abundant natural material in a way that bridges cultural and geographical boundaries?"
We began by working with Dubai’s landscape, crafting earthen works and spatial experiences inspired by the country’s terrain. Today, our practice is expanding into neighbouring Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, continuing to explore the material’s potential across the region.
Did everything start with the success of your installation at Downtown Design 2022? If that hadn’t happened, would sand still be your primary material?
Sand has become the defining 'material of meaning' for the studio. Beyond Downtown Design, we have always been committed to celebrating this art form in diverse ways.
Can we define the essence of your designs as sculpting with sand? Or how would you describe it?
Through creative exploration, we have developed a distinct approach to working with rammed earth, with the goal of preserving and evolving the ancient art of "sculpting with sand." Much like the traditions of marble sculpting or wood carving, we see ourselves as revivalists—honouring a time-honoured craft while reimagining it through a contemporary lens.
OUR UPCOMING INSTALLATIONS FOLLOWING ‘THE DESERT RELICS’ (2024) WILL EXPLORE NEW NARRATIVES, INSPIRING FRESH DESIGN INTERPRETATIONS ROOTED IN THE DESERT LANDSACEPE
Do you mostly work with spherical forms? Will you explore other shapes in the future?
Each project dictates the evolution of our craft. The challenges that arise push our R&D forward, allowing us to explore new ways of expressing form, colour, and function through our material. With both 'IOTA' (2022) and 'From This Earth' (2024), our large-scale public art installations, we explored modular spheres, experimenting with geometry, texture, and structural composition. These projects helped us transform what is traditionally perceived as a heavy material into something that appears light, soft, and contemporary.
Looking ahead, our plans include further art installations and architectural interventions across the Arab region, as well as new product designs currently in development.
In the art domain, our upcoming installations following ‘The Desert Relics’ (2024) will explore new narratives, inspiring fresh design interpretations rooted in the desert landscape.
In architecture, we are pushing the material further with Sand Skins, introducing rammed earth as a refined interior and exterior surface finish, as thin as 7 cm where required. We have experimented with smooth, fluted, and organic textures across various projects, each offering its own distinct artistic expression.
Over the next year, we look forward to unveiling installations for both private and commercial spaces.
Are your creations purely collectible designs, or do you also create functional pieces like furniture?
This year, we launched our first-ever product design line, The Desert Drop series. The collection begins with a grand coffee table, crafted from sand droplets and melted glass—a design inspired by the fluidity of oasis water. The series will expand to include wall sconces and vases, offering more accessible, sculptural pieces for stylists, designers, and homeowners.
WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN DESERT LANDSCAPES AND THE MEANING THEY BRING TO OUR WORK
I’m curious about your technique—how do you work with sand? And what are the challenges of working with it?
The process is simple yet precise. We create each piece using a proportioned mix of local earth, clay, and water, compacted into sedimentary layers within custom-made moulds. Whether for an object, a sculpture, or an architectural wall, all materials are locally sourced and naturally pigmented in a diverse range of earthen tones. One of the main challenges is manipulating a heavy material to achieve softer, more organic geometries—creating the illusion of weightlessness and fluidity while maintaining structural integrity.
How does the desert make you feel?
We take great pride in desert landscapes and the meaning they bring to our work. Their simplicity is a humbling reminder of the region’s heritage and our primal connection to the earth.
Spending time in the desert or by the seaside—which would you choose?
Both! Especially in a rare and special place like Khor Al Adaid in Qatar, where the desert meets the sea in a breathtaking natural harmony.
