As we start our journey, ard aims to create an interface that blends the cultural heritage of the U.A.E with today's built environment. Until the late 60's and early 70's in the pre-oil era, about 80% of U.A.E's population lived in Arish & mud structures. Today, about 420 million dried date palm leaves are sent to landfills each year in the U.A.E alone which could other vise be utilized effectively.It's about time we revive these age old techniques and take them forward in a way that they blend seamlessly with the current fabric of our cities and adapt to the changing needs, aesthetic sensibilities and environment of today... ard (أرض) implies earth in Arabic. ard is a sustainable design initiative based out of Dubai that has its roots in tradition, heritage and vernacular architecture. At ard we believe that vernacular architecture as a whole which has resonated true sustainability for centuries must not be limited to mere conservation. Our attempt is to revive it in a way that it..