Laith Matarweh Studio for Architecture

Jordan

Photography project commemorating a selection of landscapes in Jordan, their grace, and their simple beauty.


‘Architecture Obsolete’. As crude, incomplete and obsolete this structure may look, in the middle of a cultivated land in al-Karak, I could not escape the fact...


‘Architecture Obsolete’. As crude, incomplete and obsolete this structure may look, in the middle of a cultivated land in al-Karak, I could not escape the fact that it defines a space, as well as a moment in time. A moment where one rests, reflects, and observes. This structure as undefined as it appears, represents the purest and the most fundimental form and function of architecture; architecture as a mere shelter, un-obsolete after all.
Taken 16.02.2021, in al-Jdayydeh, al-Karak.


‘Architecture Obsolete’. As crude, incomplete and obsolete this structure may look, in the middle of a cultivated land in al-Karak, I could not escape the fact that it defines a space, as well as a moment in time. A moment where one rests, reflects, and observes. This structure as undefined as it appears, represents the purest and the most fundimental form and function of architecture; architecture as a mere shelter, un-obsolete after all.
Taken 16.02.2021, in al-Jdayydeh, al-Karak.

Braided. The meeting points of Ajloun and Irbid Heights. Taken on 22.02.2021 in Irbid, Jordan/ Wadi al-Rayyan.

Braided. The meeting points of Ajloun and Irbid Heights. Taken on 22.02.2021 in Irbid, Jordan/ Wadi al-Rayyan.

Braided. The meeting points of Ajloun and Irbid Heights. Taken on 22.02.2021 in Irbid, Jordan/ Wadi al-Rayyan.

‘The Spring in Al-Bahath’. A Twenty minutes contrast from Civilization The virgin valleys of Al-Bahath are not short of a hidden Gem by their own terms. The rou...

‘The Spring in Al-Bahath’. A Twenty minutes contrast from Civilization The virgin valleys of Al-Bahath are not short of a hidden Gem by their own terms. The rough roads leading to them makes the journey anything but gentle. It is hard to believe that 50 years ago, the valleys of the neighboring ‘Marj Al-Hamam’ and ‘Wadi Al-Seer’ districts were similar in their aesthetics to Al-Bahath. Taken on 22.02.2021 in Amman, Jordan/ Al-Bahath

‘The Spring in Al-Bahath’. A Twenty minutes contrast from Civilization The virgin valleys of Al-Bahath are not short of a hidden Gem by their own terms. The rough roads leading to them makes the journey anything but gentle. It is hard to believe that 50 years ago, the valleys of the neighboring ‘Marj Al-Hamam’ and ‘Wadi Al-Seer’ districts were similar in their aesthetics to Al-Bahath. Taken on 22.02.2021 in Amman, Jordan/ Al-Bahath

‘Seams’. Taken on 16.02.2021, in Al-Smakiyeh, Al-Karak.

‘Seams’. Taken on 16.02.2021, in Al-Smakiyeh, Al-Karak.

‘Seams’. Taken on 16.02.2021, in Al-Smakiyeh, Al-Karak.

‘Temporal‘. A temporal occupation of Land by nomads from al-Azazmeh tribe in al-Lajjun, where they usually settle seeking water and warmth during the winter. Te...

‘Temporal‘. A temporal occupation of Land by nomads from al-Azazmeh tribe in al-Lajjun, where they usually settle seeking water and warmth during the winter. Temporal is a state seen across different dimensions in our lives. A state of awareness that nothing is there forever to stay. Neither people, nor love, joy or sorrow. While these states are completely emotional hence immaterial, it was an inner reflection of how temporality can take a physical material manifestation for an otherwise immaterial state that may be sometimes doubted. Taken on 16.02.2021, in al-Lajjun, al-Karak.

‘Temporal‘. A temporal occupation of Land by nomads from al-Azazmeh tribe in al-Lajjun, where they usually settle seeking water and warmth during the winter. Temporal is a state seen across different dimensions in our lives. A state of awareness that nothing is there forever to stay. Neither people, nor love, joy or sorrow. While these states are completely emotional hence immaterial, it was an inner reflection of how temporality can take a physical material manifestation for an otherwise immaterial state that may be sometimes doubted. Taken on 16.02.2021, in al-Lajjun, al-Karak.


‘She was the Picture’. On a murky December morning, the woman appearing in the picture did not want to disturb me, thinking that I was all about the scenery, w...


‘She was the Picture’. On a murky December morning, the woman appearing in the picture did not want to disturb me, thinking that I was all about the scenery, which indeed I was. I captured the moment right before she disappeared into the fog. Little that I knew, little that she knew, she was the picture. Likewise, people we may cross our paths with, uninhibited with their profound effect on us may later have a comeback in courses we did not, they did not intend to have. Taken on 20.12.2020, in Badr al-Jadeedah, Amman.


‘She was the Picture’. On a murky December morning, the woman appearing in the picture did not want to disturb me, thinking that I was all about the scenery, which indeed I was. I captured the moment right before she disappeared into the fog. Little that I knew, little that she knew, she was the picture. Likewise, people we may cross our paths with, uninhibited with their profound effect on us may later have a comeback in courses we did not, they did not intend to have. Taken on 20.12.2020, in Badr al-Jadeedah, Amman.

‘It was Murky’. Taken on 17.12.2020, in Amman, Jordan/ Badr Al-Jadeedah.

‘It was Murky’. Taken on 17.12.2020, in Amman, Jordan/ Badr Al-Jadeedah.

‘It was Murky’. Taken on 17.12.2020, in Amman, Jordan/ Badr Al-Jadeedah.

‘Lone’. It is often that I found a sanctuary for me in nature. How we identify ourselves is a projection of how do we see ourselves and the world around us. We ...

‘Lone’. It is often that I found a sanctuary for me in nature. How we identify ourselves is a projection of how do we see ourselves and the world around us. We might draw parallels of how do we feel in a moment of time with the environment around us; something that I feel I am inclined to do. Taken on 19.07.2020, in al-Kashef, Amman.

‘Lone’. It is often that I found a sanctuary for me in nature. How we identify ourselves is a projection of how do we see ourselves and the world around us. We might draw parallels of how do we feel in a moment of time with the environment around us; something that I feel I am inclined to do. Taken on 19.07.2020, in al-Kashef, Amman.

‘Sedate’.The Beauty of the Desert in Jordan lies in its simplicity and sedateness. It does not pretend to be anything that it is not. Mere shades of the same co...

‘Sedate’.The Beauty of the Desert in Jordan lies in its simplicity and sedateness. It does not pretend to be anything that it is not. Mere shades of the same color, and a contrasting sky. Hundreds of years ago and hundreds of years from now and they will look the same. Taken on 12.07.2020, in Al-Tafilah, Jordan.

‘Sedate’.The Beauty of the Desert in Jordan lies in its simplicity and sedateness. It does not pretend to be anything that it is not. Mere shades of the same color, and a contrasting sky. Hundreds of years ago and hundreds of years from now and they will look the same. Taken on 12.07.2020, in Al-Tafilah, Jordan.

‘Secrete’.Millions of years worth of Layers of terrain-formations, of mountains hiding one after the other. Do they not want to be captured? Taken on 11.07.2020...

‘Secrete’.Millions of years worth of Layers of terrain-formations, of mountains hiding one after the other. Do they not want to be captured? Taken on 11.07.2020, in Al-Tafilah, Jordan/ Dana Biosphere Reserve.

‘Secrete’.Millions of years worth of Layers of terrain-formations, of mountains hiding one after the other. Do they not want to be captured? Taken on 11.07.2020, in Al-Tafilah, Jordan/ Dana Biosphere Reserve.

‘Bent’. How we venture in life is as un-linear as it can be. We advance in caution, and sometimes in fear, unaware of what awaits ahead; we progress nonetheless...

‘Bent’. How we venture in life is as un-linear as it can be. We advance in caution, and sometimes in fear, unaware of what awaits ahead; we progress nonetheless, with all of what we have of doubts. Inherently, this what makes the journey worthwhile. Taken on 28.05.2020, in Wadi al-Azraq, al-Balqa’a.

‘Bent’. How we venture in life is as un-linear as it can be. We advance in caution, and sometimes in fear, unaware of what awaits ahead; we progress nonetheless, with all of what we have of doubts. Inherently, this what makes the journey worthwhile. Taken on 28.05.2020, in Wadi al-Azraq, al-Balqa’a.

‘Fringe’.The human interruption of Tarmac piercing through what was then a virgin land, becoming the fringe of two now interrupted lands. Taken on 28.05.2020 in...

‘Fringe’.The human interruption of Tarmac piercing through what was then a virgin land, becoming the fringe of two now interrupted lands. Taken on 28.05.2020 in Al-Balqa’a, Jordan/ Al-Fuheis.

‘Fringe’.The human interruption of Tarmac piercing through what was then a virgin land, becoming the fringe of two now interrupted lands. Taken on 28.05.2020 in Al-Balqa’a, Jordan/ Al-Fuheis.

‘Couples’. Taken days after a 56 days long lockdown to Covid, I saw nature to be in favor of being in couples, closely in contact with one another, when we coul...

‘Couples’. Taken days after a 56 days long lockdown to Covid, I saw nature to be in favor of being in couples, closely in contact with one another, when we could not. Taken on 17.05.2020, in Zabdah, Amman.

‘Couples’. Taken days after a 56 days long lockdown to Covid, I saw nature to be in favor of being in couples, closely in contact with one another, when we could not. Taken on 17.05.2020, in Zabdah, Amman.

‘Going Solo’.Taken on 22.05.2020, in Dead Sea Jordan.

‘Going Solo’.Taken on 22.05.2020, in Dead Sea Jordan.

‘Going Solo’.Taken on 22.05.2020, in Dead Sea Jordan.

Life as it is shown here, through layers of mountains, floating in the depth of the horizon, along with the layers of rocks, earth, terrain, trees, the dam, and...

Life as it is shown here, through layers of mountains, floating in the depth of the horizon, along with the layers of rocks, earth, terrain, trees, the dam, and the sky. Each of these entities builds up such picturesque scenery. Here, the beauty simply manifests away from humans’ language of symbols and signifiers. If we were to understand how life is, we have to conceive it as multiplicities of layers; layers which each upon the other is how it is animated. It is the environment where we thrive, where we endure, where we find our richness and meaning. It is the interplay and the overlay of those layers that create life. If a layer was to be taken away, poor life would be; it is the vibrancy and the interaction of these layers that create the splendid whole. I believe that architecture, since it is current within the realm of this sentience, can be explained as a layer of these, which, in its actuality, is a multiplicity of layers, the more they are and the more interwind they are, the richer it is. Taken on 22.08.2018, in Jerash, Jordan.

Life as it is shown here, through layers of mountains, floating in the depth of the horizon, along with the layers of rocks, earth, terrain, trees, the dam, and the sky. Each of these entities builds up such picturesque scenery. Here, the beauty simply manifests away from humans’ language of symbols and signifiers. If we were to understand how life is, we have to conceive it as multiplicities of layers; layers which each upon the other is how it is animated. It is the environment where we thrive, where we endure, where we find our richness and meaning. It is the interplay and the overlay of those layers that create life. If a layer was to be taken away, poor life would be; it is the vibrancy and the interaction of these layers that create the splendid whole. I believe that architecture, since it is current within the realm of this sentience, can be explained as a layer of these, which, in its actuality, is a multiplicity of layers, the more they are and the more interwind they are, the richer it is. Taken on 22.08.2018, in Jerash, Jordan.

People, cattle, rocks, shrubs, and trees are found existing with one another, not rivaling or interrupting each other, neither in scale nor in their mere existe...

People, cattle, rocks, shrubs, and trees are found existing with one another, not rivaling or interrupting each other, neither in scale nor in their mere existence, but appear to collectively paint the textural quality of Zabda’s Landscape. Taken on 06.08.2022, in Amman, Jordan/ Zabda in Wadi As-Seir

People, cattle, rocks, shrubs, and trees are found existing with one another, not rivaling or interrupting each other, neither in scale nor in their mere existence, but appear to collectively paint the textural quality of Zabda’s Landscape. Taken on 06.08.2022, in Amman, Jordan/ Zabda in Wadi As-Seir

‘Instinctive Architecture’. Taken on 30.03.2024 in Irbid, Jordan/ Wadi al-Rayyan.

‘Instinctive Architecture’. Taken on 30.03.2024 in Irbid, Jordan/ Wadi al-Rayyan.

‘Instinctive Architecture’. Taken on 30.03.2024 in Irbid, Jordan/ Wadi al-Rayyan.

Wheat & Barley Fields. Taken on 04.04.2024 in Karak, Jordan/ Smakiyyeh Village

Wheat & Barley Fields. Taken on 04.04.2024 in Karak, Jordan/ Smakiyyeh Village

Wheat & Barley Fields. Taken on 04.04.2024 in Karak, Jordan/ Smakiyyeh Village