How art and architecture has been influenced by natural form
Chapter 1
Nature and natural forms have provided inspiration for architects through history. Originally natural architecture played a huge role in the structures that men and women used as shelter. Natural caves or huts made out of sticks were the first real shelters. These shelters, although primitive were the embryonic form of the towers and skyscrapers seen in modern life. When people first started to building real housing, the designs were very simple. In ancient times it was very difficult to support large weights and people therefore used trees as bases for buildings. As we evolved so did architectural design, and soon people had noticed that the reason trees were so strong was because they were locked into the ground. This meant that foundations were used to support larger structures. People also realised that in order to support weight, trees would spread it out between many different branches. After this it wasn’t long before they began to use support beams to help with the weight. These fundamental basics led to further discoveries and all played a huge role in life today.
Materials have also always been an important architectural necessity provided by nature. Houses are often made out of natural substances such as wood or stone. This is not only because these materials are in abundance but also because they provide security and strength to a building, allowing it to stand without collapsing. Before mathematicians could use complex equations to discover how different materials could support weight, it was all done by trial and error, along with some amount of common sense. If a builder used stone to build his house it would be stronger then if he built it out of wood, however would equally be heavier and therefore more likely to collapse.
Currently these particular problems previously faced by mankind have become less problematic. For every building that is designed, people have thought of every possible thing that could effect the structure from being stable and secure. So rather then worrying about material or looking at nature to support our structures, we use it as a designing tool. Rather then looking at an object for its possible uses, architects look at a natural object for inspiration. Natural forms like plants or mountains, or even the sea are often used to inspire the designs of buildings to create an interesting and beautiful piece of art. Architects like frank Gehry look at these natural forms and use them to create buildings that will forever leave a mark on the world. Using the motion of the sea, or the swaying of the trees, or coral as a base design for buildings are now all valuable primary sources for designs.
Chapter 2
Throughout history many different types of architectural feature have been designed based on natural forms and structures. One civilization that took many of its ideas on how to create strong and lasting structures was the Greeks. They designed a system based on pillars and support beams that hold up the large weights that they are required to support. They therefore designed a system known as “the classical order” . This was a system used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans in order to categorize different architectural styles of work, specifically focusing on columns. The three styles that were part of this “Classical Order” were Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Each served the same purpose, however each was designed differently. Doric columns have flares and straight profiles that get narrower as they go up the pillar. Ionic columns have a spiral design at the top and straight profiles similar to the Doric columns. Corinthian columns come from the ancient city of Corinth and have extremely detailed and natural designs at the top such as flowers and leaves. A Corinthian column could therefore be said to reflect a tree with its trunk and leaves at the top. The Romans also commonly used columns to hold up large weights, however it became far less useful once the Romans developed the arch. Rather then just using columns to support their structures the Romans moved away from using columns as they worked out that arches could provide better support then simple columns. This did not stop them using columns, however, were still common, used to add decoration and structural support to buildings designed in this era. Using the arch, the Romans built enormous structures. Inventions like aqueducts, and colosseums were built using the principle, allowing the weight to spread itself out, rather then pushing down on a single area. Despite the differences in Roman and Greek building, they are commonly classed in the same Classical Period as one another. They were not the only period of time to use natural form to create structures however. Many other eras, such as the Gothic era of architecture used natural forms, however much like the Romans it was far more for beauty, rather then for practicality. Flowers and other natural designs were used to decorate the outsides of churches built during this and other similar times. Other areas such as Japan focused less on using designs present by natural forms and focused on material. Using wood and sometimes thatch was the style of the area. It wasn’t until later on in history that they began to add detailed images into their architecture. This eventually led to the architecture seen in modern day. Many of these things that were discovered in previous eras are now commonly used for every day structures.
Chapter 3
Frank Lloyd Wright is an American architect who was known for designing buildings that focused on architecture based on nature. He was born on the 8th of June 1867 and designed over 1000 structures, with over 500 of those designs being completed as actual structures. Wright believed in designing buildings that did not impact the environment, but instead were “ in harmony” with it and were designed to add to the beauty of natural areas, rather than diminish it. He called this idea “Organic Architecture” and it was a large focal point for many of the buildings he designed. As well as this, Wright was very confident at using new architectural methods that were not often used when designing structures previously. His style of work mixes both old styles of architecture, with modern ones. This creates an interesting contrast between the nature of the surrounding work, but also the evolution of modern society.
Frank Lloyd Wright is famous for designing many buildings around America, however is probably most famous for his work on the building known as “Falling Water”. This is a house that was designed by Wright that was designed to incorporate nature. It was designed over a huge waterfall in BearRun, in Pennsylvania. It was designed as a weekend home for Liliane Kaufmann. In 1966 it was given The status of “National Historic Landmark”. Wright first looked at the area on the 18th December 1934. Interestingly, in order to keep the structure hanging above the falls, Wright used a cantilevered structure, which allowed the large weight to be held up. The designs were done to include the waterfall, rather then just to look at it. In order to keep with the style of keeping nature pure, the buildings was constructed with materials farmed from the local quarry. The structure itself was interesting as it consisted of many overhanging balconies that could be representing the rocks around the waterfall itself. I really like Falling Water as it shares all of the practical attributes of architecture, while still sharing the beauty of nature. It’s use of scientific methods, and unique designs means that despite it being old in comparison to buildings built in the last decade, it is still classes as modern.
Despite Falling Water being Wrights most well known design, it is not the only building designed by Wright that copies natural forms. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is an art museum that was also designed by Wright. The building is in the middle of New York. When Wright was given the brief, he was told to design it as a “ temple of the spirit”, which led to the eventual design being created with multiple layers stacked on top of the last. The shape originally resembled a beehive, using a hexagonal shape, and floor design. This however was changed for the final design, to instead use circular shapes, however keeping the shape of the building pretty much identical. I personally think that this design is very interesting and different to most other buildings. Museums and art galleries are often very plainly designed, or focus on architecture from previous eras.
Wright’s work remains a staple of modern architecture in America, and the rest of the world. The impact that the environment has on his work creates an interesting dynamic between nature and modern evolution. The fact that he often uses designs that fit or link into nature means that his designs fit perfectly with their surroundings.
Wright’s work has inspired me to create my own structures and designs focusing heavily on the way that nature interacts with architecture. I have created many designs for buildings using natural forms such as shapes for inspiration, while trying to keep the designs organic and natural.
Chapter 4
Antoni Guadi was a Spanish architect. He lived between the years 1852 and 1926 and was known for his specific style of structure that fitted into a movement known as Catalan Modernism. This style was mainly literary and architecturally based and was known for creating work based on shape and material. Guadi was most famous for his buildings in Barcelona and the surrounding cities. He created seven artworks using the Catalan style of modernism to full effect. This however was not enough for the architect and he decided to also incorporate the evolution of technologies in industry to push his eccentric ideas.
One of Gaudi’s most famous works is La Sagrada Familia. This is a huge church is the centre of Barcelona and is widely known as one of architectures greatest structures. It began construction in 1892, however the project was so large and detailed that it has yet to be completed. Guadi, having died before he completed the piece he came up with the design to try and mix the styles of man and nature into one huge structure. He designed the building for 43 years, bending and moulding its shape, while keeping the design natural. The plans for the building, however were destroyed during the Spanish civil war and therefore construction had to be based on the fragmented pieces left behind, as well as modern design and technique. Gaudi used many different materials in his designs for the building, including sandstone, granite and concrete. He wanted the building to use natural rock rather then using artificial substances. Gaudi liked geometric forms. Since his work often looked at nature, he wanted to copy that style and use it in his own works. He used straight and rigid lines made with a ruler to capture the essence of the natural form. He therefore took much of his influence from natural forms such as shells which made up a vast majority of the designs for the towers. The interior of the buildings is what I imagine the interior of a shell to look like, however could be interperated in many different ways, dependant on how you picture it.
Gaudi did not often use colour on the exterior of his buildings. He relied on shape and structure to portray his desired effect. His interior work varied however. He was known for his intricate styles of both stained glass, and window shape, as well as creating high vaulted ceilings that were as detailed as the exteriors. Symmetry was at the forefront of the design for these interiors and often created beauty that was only seen in nature previously. His absence of colour in his exteriors worked beautifully to contrast the differences between natural objects.
Gaudis work has inspired me to try and mix nature with architecture in a far more literal sense. Rather then using the shapes of natural forms, I have used incorporated the natural forms into the architectural designs.
Chapter 5
Frank Gehry is an architect who is known for his large buildings that are usually based on the movement and fluidity of the world. He was born in Toronto, Canada on the 28th of February 1929. He studied at the university of Southern California before moving to study at Harvard university. He is considered one of the most influential architects of the 20th century and has designed many stunning buildings over his lifetime. I wanted to look at Gehry as I not only love the designs of his buildings, but how they all follow a similar style and design based on movement, which almost turns them into a collection of art works. He is one of the few architects that has properly inspired me.
Although he has designed countless buildings is most well known for his work on the Guggenheim Museum building in Bilbao, Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The Guggenheim museum is a large building that is done in an extremely contemporary style. It was first opened on the 18th October 1997 and is considered one of the most important works of architecture since the 1980’s. It’s shape is very strange in comparison to other buildings and is supposed to appear random however, Gehry designed it, saying that “the randomness of the curves are designed to catch the light”. The building is made from steel, titanium and glass and is designed to be eye catching. It is interesting as not only does the building display features that are often seen in modernist art, such as the motion and “speed”, but it is also very futuristic in its style as it has a very naturalistic feel, despite the heavy sheet metal that it is cladded with. The building is also right next to the river, and therefore contrasts the motion of the water perfectly with its modern design. The dull colours allow the focus to simply be on the shape and structure of the building, allowing even the most minor of things to be noticed. The building itself is visited by more than a million people each year and constantly houses exhibitions. The buildings harsh edges and cut offs mean that everything looks precise and deliberate. The Walt Disney concert hall in LA follows a very similar style to that of the Guggenheim. It was completed in 2003 and was also designed to accentuate the light. This once again focused on movement and flow. The buildings was made from stainless steel and certain areas were polished to give the building a shine, however more interestingly, the building was designed to be one of the most acoustically perfect auditoriums in the world. The building obviously related to other works completed by Gehry and meant that he had begun to start his own, totally new style of architecture, which is still used for many modern projects in life currently.
I admire the architecture of Gehry. It not only uses extremely modern techniques, but also has a unique design and quality. His works obviously relate to both modernistic and futuristic ideas and can easily be seen as art instead of architecture.
Chapter 6:
Some buildings rather then taking influence from natural forms, such as the work of Gehry and Wright, are totally inspired by the designs and structures of natural forms. Many of these buildings take their original design directly from the shape itself. One commonly used natural form is the shell. Shells obey an extremely important rule about their shape and structure that is known as the golden ratio, or the Fibonacci sequence. This dictates the shape of shell as it increases in size, always starting at 1, however sometimes ending up far far larger. This creates the spiral pattern seen on the sides of shells, and has inspired many designs for buildings,
One structure that takes influence from this is the “ center for disease control complex”, designed by Luca Nicoletti. The design was inspired by two shells sat side by side. The shell that it is based on is known as a Nautilus shell. The inside is based on a perfect logarithmic spiral, obeying the golden rule of shells, and Fibonacci sequence. The outer design of the shells is laced with interlinking strands of DNA of the bacteria that is usually studied at the center. The building was designed by the Studio Nicoletti Associati.
Another design that also related to a shell was the Chicago Spire. This building in Illinois was inspired directly from a shell. Having been designed by a Spanish architect named Santisgo Calatrava. The design itself was extremely interesting, however due to issues with construction the building was never fully completed and work on it was abandoned in 2008.
These buildings are fascinating as the take the ideas posed by the artist of looking at natural form, and push it further into the forefront of architecture. Both modern buildings are looking
At ideas that usually aren’t designed like this, and instead of trying to make everything look new and innovative using futuristic designs, these pieces of work have achieved the same goal by looking st things that have existed for thousands of years.
Summary
Nature is not often thought to link with modernist art and architecture, however when you look closely it is often used. Architects like gaudi and Gehry have both modeled their buildings off different parts of nature. Wether these forms be waves, or based on geometric patterns, they both provide the sense of nature as well as modernism through movement and colour. Using structures of trees or beehives or ants nests as inspiration allows the possibilities for architecture to be almost endless. These architects have inspired me to create designs for buildings based on the natural form of objects.