Organic Architecture

As the name suggests, Organic Architecture tends towards nature. Rather than just thinking environmentally friendly, the idea behind this type of architecture actually brings nature to the forefront and adapts buildings to the habitat, thus avoiding eyesores.

Organic Architecture develops on the idea of sustainability and giving preference to the least possible impact on nature and its surroundings, therefore it creates a connection with nature itself.

When architects use Organic Architecture as a basis for their designs, they will produce a design from the inside of the building to the outside, this being the opposite to conventional architectural designs. The idea behind this is following nature itself which develops from the inside out, adapting itself to its surroundings.

The founder of Organic Architecture was an architect called Frank Lloyd Wright. To him the word organic described precisely his philosophy of architecture. Wright believed in a phrase that he loved to use, 'Form and function are one', using nature as the ultimate model.

''Organic'' brings to mind something that is naturally occurring, yet in Organic Architecture the principal is to build a form that is more natural than nature itself.

As the name suggests, all materials used should respect nature so, the most popular construction material would obviously be wood, even though it is becoming popular to use glass and steel, as they provide space and light. The building should be built into its surroundings not on it. Where there is a natural flow of water, this should be incorporated into the design of the building.

“So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no ‘traditions’ essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but—instead—exalting the simple laws of common sense—or of super-sense if you prefer—determining form by way of the nature of materials...”

— Frank Lloyd Wright, An Organic Architecture, 1939

[Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright] n.d. Available at: <http://www.fallingwater.org/img/home_assets/shading.png> [Accessed 24 November 2013].

organicarchitect, 1997-2013. Organic Architecture. [online] Available at: <http://www.organicarchitect.com/organic/#axzz2l7aFC9cf> [Accessed 21 November 2013].

Organic Architecture, n.d. Legacy: Essay. [online] Available at: <http://www.pbs.org/flw/legacy/essay1.html> [Accessed 21 November 2013].