Concept development and design of calligraphic shading structures for the seven administration buildings at the Sabah Al-Salem Kuwait University City development. Entitled ‘Shades of Knowledge’, the custom-designed templates are created to be used as “meshrabiyas” or veils that envelope each of the seven buildings. The templates are designed as modular calligraphic patterns to allow for visual development and variety. The buildings are: The Pearl - Convocation Hall, The Cube - University Library, Central Administration Building, The Conference Centre, The Cultural Centre, The Visitor’s Centre and the Grand Mosque.

The designs for each template are created with verses of poetry, prose or the Qur’an that relate to education and culture, reflecting each building’s function and form. The verses draw upon historic references from Islamic literature, creating an ephemeral play of light and shadow through a maze of letters. The screen designs also responded to their solar orientation. Accordingly, east and west orientations required more shading, whereas the north and south should allow for more light through the screens.