Discover TopoArtic an innovative art initiative by Saudi architect and artist Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji
TopoArtic is an innovative art initiative by Saudi architect and artist Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji, Principal Architect at INJ Architects. Inspired by the mathematical and visual expressions of topography, the project blends art and architecture to reinterpret contour lines nature’s own fingerprint of the mountains. TopoArtic introduces a new artistic language that captures both the raw beauty of the Earth and the refined precision of human design.
Contours form the technical foundation of mapping terrain, functioning as a mathematical method to represent the Earth’s surface in three dimensions. Each contour line marks a constant elevation, effectively outlining the slopes, valleys, and peaks of a landscape. This concept is rooted in the equation.
z = f(x,y)
where z denotes elevation and x and y indicate planar coordinates. Through this formula, elevation changes are translated into a surface map composed of lines, each defining a specific altitude.
TopoArtic is a distinctive artistic project in which architect and artist Ibrahim Joharji has developed and registered the cut-contour style as its signature identity. The work captures the intersection of art and architecture, reimagining contour lines through contemporary methods. Moving beyond conventional depictions of terrain, TopoArtic presents a layered visual language that conveys both the depth and geographical character of place. Each gradient reveals its own story, showcasing how architecture can mirror nature’s organic beauty while emphasizing the deep dialogue between human creativity and the Earth itself.
TopoArtic stands as more than an exploration of contour lines; it is a manifesto of how architecture and art can converge into a new cultural language. By integrating principles of archigenetics the idea that architectural form carries within it an inherited code shaped by both nature and human innovation the project positions itself at the forefront of contemporary design discourse. Through the vision of Ibrahim Nawaf
Joharji and the creative practice of INJ Architects, TopoArtic redefines terrain as a living canvas, demonstrating how architecture can transcend function to embody identity, memory, and the organic continuity of the Earth.
Art House online gallery is delighted to interview Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji, an Artist located in Saudi Arabia, Discover the Artist source of inspiration in this interview.
When it comes to your art, explain what you do in 100 words:
I am Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji, Principal Architect of INJ Architects, and the artist behind TopoArtic. My practice transforms architectural precision into art by reinterpreting the contour lines of mountains as layered sculptures and drawings. Each piece merges mathematics, geography, and creativity, capturing nature’s raw fingerprint with human refinement. I cut, assemble, and map topographic lines as if they were a living genetic code, reflecting how architecture and art can converge. My work is not for commerce—it is for identity, philosophy, and continuity. Every new piece is my best, because art evolves with time rather than freezing in one moment.
What project are you working on now?
I am advancing TopoArtic, where I cut and reinterpret mountain contours into layered compositions. Each day I refine the balance between mathematical mapping and artistic expression, showing how terrain itself can become a cultural language.
Why do you do what you do?
Because art and architecture are inseparable. For me, this practice is not about selling pieces, but about expressing a philosophy. Art is my way to translate nature and mathematics into identity.
How has your practice changed over time?
At first, I treated contour lines as technical mapping. Over time, they became my artistic language. What began as topographic studies evolved into TopoArtic, a manifesto of how architecture and art can merge.
What is your strongest childhood memory?
Cutting and shaping materials—especially when I worked with mountains, tools, and topographic sketches. I was fascinated by the process, the physical labor, and the way math confirmed what my hands created.
What is your scariest experience?
The fear of artistic stagnation. I believe an artist must never freeze in one piece. My scariest thought is to be trapped by a single “masterpiece” and never evolve.
Describe a real-life experience that inspired you:
Each day I reviewed the mathematical process after cutting contours, observing how the machine interacted with terrain. That rhythm of creation and calculation inspired TopoArtic as both art and architecture.
Do you make a living off of your art?
No. My livelihood is through architecture. My art is my identity and philosophy, not a financial pursuit.
What is your dream creative project?
A large-scale architectural installation that fuses TopoArtic into the built environment—a building or urban landmark that embodies topographic art as structure.
Which place in the world do you find to be the most inspiring?
“That’s a fascinating question, as inspiration often comes from the tension between the man-made and the natural.
For me, New York City stands as the undisputed capital of modern architecture. It means a great deal to me personally; Manhattan is an unparalleled vertical museum, a testament to a century of ambition, art, and human ingenuity stacked towards the sky. It represents the mastery of the urban landscape.
But looking forward, my inspiration is captivated by a new frontier of mountain architecture. In that regard, I see Trojena in NEOM as an absolutely exceptional place. It’s a vision for an unconventional architecture that doesn’t just occupy the mountain, but integrates with it, creating a new harmony between nature and design that is truly extraordinary.”
What’s the most indispensable item in your studio/practice?
Cutting tools and mapping software—because TopoArtic exists at the intersection of handcraft and mathematics.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Never lock yourself into one “perfect” piece. Each new work must surpass the last. Art is not a prison of one idea; it is a continuum.
Creatively, where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Leading INJ Architects while expanding TopoArtic into larger cultural and architectural projects. My vision is to create works where art and architecture are inseparable—where a city can walk inside a sculpture, and a building becomes a landscape of identity.
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