Saudi Commercial Projects: Using COLORIA's Matcha Green Rammed Earth Board

In the heart of Riyadh, a new retail complex stands not with the gleam of polished marble or the flash of gold leaf, but with the earthy, textured embrace of matcha green rammed earth board . Walk through its atriums, and you'll notice it immediately: walls that feel less like construction and more like a living, breathing part of the landscape—cool to the touch, soft underfoot, and glowing with a muted, herbal hue that shifts with the sun. This isn't just a design choice; it's a quiet rebellion.

For decades, Saudi commercial architecture has been defined by opulence—grand lobbies clad in imported marble, facades shimmering with metallic finishes, spaces that shouted "luxury" through excess. But in recent years, a shift has taken hold. Developers, architects, and even visitors are craving something deeper: spaces that feel rooted, not just rich. They want buildings that tell a story of the land, of sustainability, and of a culture that values both tradition and progress. Enter COLORIA, a material innovator quietly reshaping this narrative with materials that blend artisanal craftsmanship and eco-conscious engineering. And at the forefront of this shift? Their matcha green rammed earth board —a material that feels like a hug from the Saudi desert, but with a modern twist.

To understand the appeal of COLORIA's matcha green rammed earth board , you have to first touch it. Run a hand along its surface, and you'll feel the subtle ridges left by the ramming process—each layer of soil, clay, and natural pigments pressed together by hand, like a sculptor shaping clay. It's not smooth; it's alive with texture, with tiny variations that make every panel unique. "It's the opposite of the sterile, uniform finishes we're used to," says Lama Al-Mansoori, lead architect at Riyadh-based firm Studio Horizon, which recently used the material in a boutique retail project. "When you stand in front of it, you can almost feel the earth it came from."

The color itself is a study in understatement. "Matcha green" isn't the bright, artificial green of neon signs or plastic toys. It's a soft, muted tone—think the color of desert grasses after a rare rain, or the inside of a well-aged olive. It's warm, not cool; grounding, not jarring. "We chose it for a reason," explains Al-Mansoori. "In Saudi culture, green is sacred—it represents life, growth, and prosperity. But traditional greens in architecture are often bold or metallic. This is different. It's a green that feels humble, like it belongs here."

But the beauty of the matcha green rammed earth board isn't just skin-deep. COLORIA sources its raw materials locally, using soil from the Saudi desert mixed with natural binders and pigments. The production process requires minimal energy—no high-heat kilns or toxic chemicals—and the boards are fully biodegradable at the end of their life cycle. "Sustainability isn't an afterthought here," says Karim Hassan, COLORIA's regional sustainability director. "It's baked into the material. For developers aiming to align with Saudi Vision 2030's green building goals, this isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a necessity."

Across Saudi Arabia, from Jeddah's waterfront to Riyadh's tech district, COLORIA's matcha green rammed earth board is popping up in projects that prioritize experience over excess. Let's step into three spaces where it's making its mark—and meet the materials that dance alongside it.

1. Al-Mawakeb Retail Plaza (Riyadh): Earth Meets Sky

Nestled in Riyadh's Al-Muhammadiyah district, Al-Mawakeb isn't your typical shopping mall. With its low-slung design and sprawling courtyards, it aims to feel like a "village market reimagined for the 21st century," according to project manager Sami Al-Tamimi. The star here? The matcha green rammed earth board that wraps around the central courtyard, forming a backdrop for boutique stores and outdoor cafes.

"We wanted a material that would make people slow down," Al-Tamimi says. "Marble or concrete would have felt too cold, too transactional. The rammed earth? It invites you to linger. Parents sit on the benches built into the walls, kids run their fingers along the texture—it's become the heart of the plaza." To balance the earthiness, the architects paired the matcha green with Lunar Peak Silvery accents—sleek, metallic panels that catch the sunlight and add a touch of modernity. "The contrast is magical," Al-Tamimi adds. "The warm green grounds you, and the silvery Lunar Peak lifts your eyes upward, like the desert meeting the sky."

2. Siraj Boutique Hotel (Jeddah): Luxury, Reimagined

In Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district, where old coral-stone houses meet modern art galleries, the Siraj Hotel is a study in blending past and present. Its lobby features floor-to-ceiling matcha green rammed earth board walls, complemented by Foamed Aluminium Alloy Board (Vintage Silver) for the reception desk. "Al-Balad is all about stories—of traders, of pilgrims, of a city that's always been a crossroads," says interior designer Noor Faraj. "The rammed earth speaks to that history; it's raw, honest, like the coral stone of the old houses. The vintage silver aluminium? That's the modern Jeddah—cosmopolitan, a little glamorous, but not over the top."

Guests often comment on the lobby's "calming energy," Faraj notes. "There's something about the combination of the earthy green and the soft glow of the vintage silver that makes people breathe deeper. It's luxury, but it doesn't shout. It whispers."

3. Naseej Tech Hub (Riyadh): Where Creativity Grows

For Naseej, a co-working space for tech startups, the goal was to create an environment that "feels like a garden for ideas," says founder Ali Al-Zahrani. The solution? matcha green rammed earth board in the breakout areas, paired with Travertine (Starry Blue) accent walls in the meeting rooms. "Startups thrive on energy, but they also need focus," Al-Zahrani explains. "The matcha green is grounding—it keeps you rooted in your work—while the Starry Blue travertine, with its subtle flecks of color, sparks creativity. It's like working in a desert oasis with a view of the night sky."

Employees agree. "I used to get headaches from the harsh white walls in my old office," says software developer Layla Hassan. "Here, the rammed earth feels like a living thing. I find myself taking breaks just to sit and look at it. It's not just a wall—it's a mood booster."

The magic of COLORIA's matcha green rammed earth board lies not just in its standalone beauty, but in how it plays with other materials. Here's a look at how some of its stablemates enhance its appeal:

Using matcha green rammed earth board in Saudi's extreme climate wasn't without its hurdles. "When we first proposed it for Al-Mawakeb, contractors were skeptical," Al-Tamimi admits. "They said, 'Earth in Riyadh's heat? It'll crack, it'll fade.'" But COLORIA's engineering team had a solution: a proprietary mix of local soil and natural stabilizers that resists cracking, even in temperatures over 45°C. "We tested it for two years in the desert," Hassan says. "It withstood sandstorms, rain, and scorching sun. The color faded less than 5%—and that only added to its charm, like a well-loved book."

Another challenge? Perception. "Some clients still equate 'luxury' with imported materials," Faraj notes. "They see rammed earth and think 'rustic,' not 'high-end.' But once they touch it, once they see how it transforms a space—how it makes people feel—their minds change. At Siraj, we had a guest from Dubai who said, 'This lobby feels more luxurious than any marble I've seen.' That's the power of authenticity."

As Saudi Arabia continues to grow—building new cities, revamping historic districts, and prioritizing sustainability—materials like COLORIA's matcha green rammed earth board are poised to play a bigger role. "We're already working on a hospital in Dammam that wants to use the rammed earth in patient rooms," Hassan says. "They believe the natural texture and color will reduce anxiety, speed healing. That's the future: materials that don't just look good, but do good."

For Lama Al-Mansoori, the shift is personal. "I grew up in Riyadh, surrounded by buildings that felt disconnected from our culture. Now, with materials like this, we're building spaces that tell our story—of the desert, of resilience, of growth. The matcha green rammed earth board isn't just a trend. It's a return to our roots, but with a forward-thinking heart."

So the next time you walk into a Saudi commercial space and feel an unexpected warmth, a quiet sense of belonging—look around. Chances are, you're standing in front of COLORIA's matcha green rammed earth board . And in that moment, you'll understand: the future of Saudi design isn't about flash. It's about feeling.