Ithra and Colab Unite to Launch Saudi Arabia’s First Material Library

A space where creativity breathes through textiles, colors, textures, and grains, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is set to bring design right to your fingertips. In collaboration with Dubai-based Colab, Ithra will open Saudi Arabia’s first-ever materials library.

“Ithra is where ideas come to life,” said Nourah Alzamil Manager of Ithra Programs. “We are thrilled to work with Colab to create this exciting new facility that will spawn further innovation and build on Ithra’s fast-growing reputation as a world-class destination and the beating heart of Saudi Arabia’s culture and creative industry.”

Scheduled to open in 2024, this purpose-built library will showcase the latest innovations in material development, laying the groundwork for a plethora of exciting ideas in Saudi Arabia. This project marks a significant milestone, being Saudi Arabia’s first of its kind and Colab’s first expansion beyond the UAE. Colab will curate a collection of over 200 materials for the library, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and sustainability. This collection promises to challenge the status quo and inspire the design community.

The materials library will serve as a comprehensive hub for textiles, metals, ceramics, and more, demonstrating how tradition and innovation can coexist. Ithra aims to be a venue for material experimentation, enabling the introduction of new resources and allowing designers to utilise locally sourced materials to fuel inventive design.

Richard Wilson, Founder and Creative Director of Colab, is spearheading the project. He says “It’s a great honor to be entrusted with a project of such cultural importance. To have been commissioned by Ithra is an achievement in itself and one we are extremely proud of. It shows the journey we’ve been on at Colab whereby we have come a long way, from our library in Dubai Design District to what is now an international presence, enriching the global creative community with knowledge and inspiration. We anticipate that this project is just the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with Ithra, with many more positive things to come.”

The Ithra Material Library, designed by IAMMI, is an architectural landmark that combines cutting-edge technology with traditional elements. The structure features six sleek modules crafted from DesertBoard’s PSB®, a sustainable material derived from palm biomass, and AeroGraph™, a graphene composite used by the European Space Agency. The lightweight, modular design not only captivates aesthetically but also facilitates easy interaction with the materials on display.

“A product may go out of vogue, but an idea is timeless,” say Nicolau dos Santos and Stephanie Blanchard, Co-Founders of IAMMI.  “The entire design is exceptionally lightweight and modular, ensuring ease of use and durability. More than just a material collection, the Ithra Material Library offers a unique design journey that fosters exploration, interaction, innovation, and tradition.”

With Colab’s experience and Ithra’s innovative culture, the new materials library is expected to be a source of inspiration and creativity for the Kingdom.

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