L.E.FT's New Book Uses Arabic Spatial Terms to Rethink Architecture
The architecture firm L.E.FT, under the leadership of Ziad Jamaleddine and Makram el-Kadi, has published a book titled 'At the Edge of Where God Built: Language. Concepts. Islamic Architecture.' This work posits that architecture can evolve by revisiting linguistic concepts, concentrating on five Arabic words: mataf, jami, riwaq, dar, and khirba. In a discussion with Maryam Eskandari, Jamaleddine describes these terms as valuable design instruments for modern issues. The design of the Amir Shakib Arslan Mosque was influenced by the concept of jami, while dar played a role in the House of Many Vaults project. Mataf was adapted for the Lebanese cedar at the Milan Triennale, riwaq featured in the Right to Shade installation, and khirba informed the adaptive reuse of the Beirut Exhibition Center. A launch event is scheduled for July 30, 2026, at the MAK Center.
Key facts
- L.E.FT partners Ziad Jamaleddine and Makram el-Kadi authored 'At the Edge of Where God Built'.
- The book is structured around five Arabic spatial terms: mataf, jami, riwaq, dar, and khirba.
- The publication challenges architecture's reliance on typology and promotes language as a design tool.
- The term jami informed the Amir Shakib Arslan Mosque, bringing together diverse Lebanese sectarian groups.
- The term dar was explored in the House of Many Vaults project, preserving agricultural land.
- At the Milan Triennale Lebanese pavilion, the concept of mataf was used to sacralize the Lebanese cedar tree.
- The term riwaq was used in the Right to Shade installation for public squares.
- The term khirba guided adaptive reuse of the Beirut Exhibition Center hangar structure.
- Nader Tehrani wrote the foreword to the book.
- A book launch event is scheduled at the MAK Center for Art and Architecture on July 30, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Ziad Jamaleddine
- Makram el-Kadi
- Maryam Eskandari
- Nader Tehrani
- Nasser al Salem
Institutions
- L.E.FT
- MIIM Designs
- MAK Center for Art and Architecture
- Vassar College
- Actar Publishers
- Milan Triennale
- Beirut Exhibition Center
Locations
- New York
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Milan
- Italy
- United States