Alphabet in Stone

Dom Hans van der Laan (Leiden, 1904-1991) was a Dutch architect and Benedictine monk. After only a few years of architecture study Van der Laan developed a system of ratio principles based on the theory of the Plastic Number, which he invented. Using this theory Dom Hans van der Laan not only designed buildings, he also developed a typeface: the Alphabet in stone. This typeface is based on the Roman carved stone capitals that were used in the first century AD.

This exclusive typeface is now digitized and modernized. The complete font family contains four members: the basic figures from which the letters are created, a version with guides and contour lines, the regular font and the typeface showing the axes.

By digitizing this typeface, cutting letters in stone is simplified as it enables stonemasons to print directly onto a medium. It saves a great deal of time because the letters do not need to be drawn by hand anymore. Modern techniques, like milling and laser cutting, are now possible too.