Speaking, writing and building are major traits that distinguish the human race. But the humankind has attributed aesthetic dimensions on them. As a result, the speaking through language has become a poetry, the writing has become calligraphy and building has become architecture. The genius of mankind has evolved around these three spheres of culture. Islamic architecture is a genuine testimony to this fact.

Since the dawn of Islamic civilization, calligraphy was the visual tool to convey sacred messages of Islam. Mosques, tombs, schools and palaces have always been adorned with calligraphy of diverse fonts and styles. As a matter of fact, it is hard to recognize Islamic architecture without calligraphy as the two are inseparable.

But in recent times this unity and harmony of architecture and calligraphy was diminished, and here comes archilligraphy as a new school of thought that reinvigorate calligraphy into architecture in a contemporary and futuristic vision. Calligraphy can be used as a major inspiration to design new buildings with completely new forms, new spaces and new aesthetics. As an abstract art, this school should be applicable not only to Islamic realm, but to the entire globe as well.

The works exhibited here are done by senior students in an elective course with the participation of TA in the college of architecture and planning at IAU, Dammam, Saudi Arabia in 2020.