The Architecture of Letters – هندسة الحروف
Shahd Al-Shahwani
VCUarts Qatar
Arabic letters and traditional Qatari architecture share a foundation of structure, balance, and intention. Traditional architecture responds to climate, privacy, and social life, while Arabic letters rely on proportion, rhythm, and spatial relationships. This thesis connects these two worlds by turning the Arabic alphabet into a visual system. Each letter introduces an element from traditional Qatari architecture. Using shapes extracted from a custom Arabic typeface I previously designed, abstract architectural illustrations accompany every letter. The final outcome is a modular wall installation, with each unit representing a letter and its corresponding form, alongside a stamp kit for composition and engagement.