The research examines how the observation of nature inspires Architecture now days. An in- depth analysis of organic architecture is thus addressed in order to understand how the term has progressed from its inception to modern times. The mathematics and geometric laws that originate in nature never failed to inspire pioneer Architects since the 19 th Century. Nevertheless, Modern-Architecture emulates the shapes of living organisms, which we may refer to as Organic-Architecture-(OA). It routes to 1901 when it was firstly introduced by Louis Sullivan. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) and Santiago Calatrava (1951-present) are proponents of that architecture must not simply imitate nature, but should emulate its laws. The research examines how the observation of nature inspires Architecture now days. An in- depth analysis of organic architecture is thus addressed in order to understand how the term has progressed from its inception to modern times. Bruno Zevi was the most important supporter of organic architecture; in the research, his actions for the protection and spread of the term are being stated. Case studies such as Fallingwater (1935), and the Coonley House (1907) are analysed to show how both buildings fit Zevi’s retrospective theorization of organic architecture, for which the integration between the natural and the artificial remains key. Those two buildings remain in the history, and their special design is still an admiration to the architecture world. Currently, organic architecture has shifted from mere integration to resemblance. Santiago Calatrava provides is in this regard the best example of how human anatomy, birds, and trees might be successfully incorporated into architectural design, as is the case for buildings such as ‘The Oculus Transportation Hub’(2016) or ‘Gare do Oriente’(1998).
Taking an evidence-based approach, the study evaluates and design-critique the 4-centrepieces (building) highlighting the Architects’ demand for unity, harmony and simplicity as well as the demand to respect the nature of building material. This research provides an overview of selected work with a special focus on the use and usability of their design concepts and how this trend lends itself to the building function and the spatial organisation of the space (nature and built environment). It is obvious that each person is inspired in a different way than the other, an in this case, which is taking is aspect the technical, cultural, political and economic variables that affect each design.
Permanent link to this resource: https://doi.org/10.24384/fnf3-t451
Papanikolaou, Eftychia
Supervisors: Chappell, Joel
School of Architecture
Year: 2019
© Papanikolaou, Eftychia Published by Oxford Brookes University