ASSIGNMENT IN THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE

Submitted to:
Arch. Redwynn Catli

Submitted by:
Irene Basilio
Danimie Panique
Terrence Mendoza
Tristan Rivera

18 - 07 – 19
 Peter Collins, a professor of architecture at McGill University, once defined Architecture as the art of
designing and building as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. Its practice is employed to
fulfill both practical and expressive requirements thus it serves both utilitarian and aesthetic ends.
The type of Architecture depend upon social formations and may be classified according to the role of
the patron in the community and some of which are domestic, religious, governmental, recreational, welfare,
educational, industrial, and organic. All of those are created to fulfill the specifications of an individual or group
hence the Economic law prevents any architects from emulating their fellow artists in producing works for
which the demand is nonexistent or only potential [ CITATION Pet98 \l 13321 ].
Narrowing it down to a more specific category, Organic Architecture is a
term that American architect Frank Lloyd Wright used to describe his
environmentally integrated approach to architectural design. The philosophy
grew from the ideas of Wright’s mentor, Louis Sullivan, who believed that
“form follows function.” He was a keen observer of the natural world, so he
found inspiration in the styles and processes related to nature in order to
build a thriving yet sustainable ecosystem [ CITATION Hus19 \l 13321 ].
Organic architecture is a philosophy of architectural design, emerging in the
early 20th century [ CITATION Har00 \l 13321 ] that strives to unify space, to
blend interiors & exteriors, and create a harmonic built environment not
separate or dominant from nature but as a unified whole [ CITATION Jac19 \l
13321 ]. It is not a style of imitation but rather a reinterpretation of Nature’s
principles to build forms more natural than nature itself; it emphasized
growth of every design from inside out. Considering a seed that grows from
the inside and reaches out to its surroundings, a building should also mirror the beauty and complexity of nature
[ CITATION Dik15 \l 13321 ].

The current Editorial Head of the School of Planning and Architecture listed down some principles for
us to understand the nuances of architectural journalism:
 Good design understands that for anything to be truly and purely beautiful, it should possess simplicity
and repose, and not fall prey to changing trends and fashion. It must maintain its own course and the
arrangement of the design should be such that taking away even one miniscule part would destroy the
whole entity.
 The nature of the materials should be expressed as inherent to their quality, throughout the building.
 A certain amount of integrity and honesty is required from our buildings, as we do from people.
Currently rating a little low on this ground, false or fake materials and techniques are only carrying us
towards false architecture and hollow creativity.

On the other hand, Wright has also written his principles and these are as follow:

 Shelter: Buildings must serve to protect their inhabitants' safety and privacy.
 Space: The interior of a building is as much a part of its decor and aesthetic as the furnishings. Spaces
should flow naturally from one area to the next without formidable separation, yet no room or space
should be completely visible from any angle. The use of alcoves and other elements will create a
constant sense of discovery as one moves through the space.
 Nature: Inspiration should be drawn from the natural surroundings, not in imitation of them, but as
guides to selecting materials, textures, and colors.
  Peacefulness: The design should avoid jarring contrasts with the landscape while providing inhabitants
with a sense of openness free of clutter and offering a sense of tranquility.
 Language: Wright saw the patterns and forms of a building's designs as elements of grammar in the
building's language. When put together the design speaks, but each construction much have its own
unique voice.
 Ornamentation: If ornamentation is to be used on a building, it must not appear as if it was a decorative
afterthought. Rather, it must be an integral part of the structure, seamlessly joining with the overall form.
 Simplicity: Designs must be clear with a uniform scheme.

Iconic Examples:
Falling Waters, Pennsylvania

It is built in the 1930s as a holiday home for the Kauffmann family by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was
designed with an aim to be a natural retreat for the owners and the house is well-known for its connection to the
physical site. No metal frames are used on the meeting point of glass and stone walls. Rather, glass runs right
into caulked recess in the stonework.

Shell, Japan
 A holiday villa in Karuizawa, Japan that was created by the ARTechnic Architects in the year 2008.
Reminiscent of a shell, it not only corresponds perfectly with natural surrounding but is also proportioned
impeccably to fit the needs of its inhabitants.
The Mobile Orchard, Portable

The Mobile Orchard is a project that toured London examining the portrayal of the natural form of trees
as street furniture in the year 2013. It is climbable and endowed with a concealed stairway that goes beyond
various seating niches leading to a sky throne.
Sydney Opera House
 Inaugurated in 1973 and created by Jorn Utzon, it comprises three groups of interlocking vaulted shells
which roof two main performance halls and a restaurant. These shell-structures are set upon a vast platform and
are surrounded by terrace areas that function as a pedestrian concourses.

Sustainability Treehouse

It is positioned in the forest at the Summit Bechtel by Mithun with BNIM. It is a gathering facility where
visitors can observe forests from different vantage points and explore various educational exhibits about the
forest’s ecosystem.
Gherkin Tower
 It is designed by Foster and Partners and was built last 2003. The tower used only half of the energy that
similarly sized structures use, its design had to correspond adequately to such demands. Open shafts between
floors serve as ventilation but also use heat from the sun for warming and pull out warm air from the tower
during the summer. They also let sunlight to enter more deeply, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

London Aquatics Centre

Completed last 2011 by Zaha Hadid in London, its design was inspired by the concept of fluid geometry
of water in motion, creating space and a surrounding environment in sympathy with the river landscape of the
Olympic Park.
The Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé
 The slug shaped new building was by Architect Renzo Piano. It was finished last 2014 wherein it has a
traditional 19th century neoclassical façade which contains its entrance so that it ca be seen from the street
before sloping down into a former courtyard space behind.

Characteristics by Architect Andrew T. Boyne:

 Geometry - In spite of the popular belief that free forms are natural, nature is not free form. It is
predictable and comprehensible. It is governed by rules and patterns, and it is by understanding these
rules that people feel comfortable in their environments. Organic architecture utilizes strong, rational
geometry to create a comprehensible building that can be understood as a single entity. 
 Materials - To enhance the connection of the interior to the natural environment, natural materials such
as stone and wood are commonly utilized in Organic architecture. Because large slick surfaces feel
inherently artificial, where they are necessary, they are often given textures or applied with patterns to
break up the surface. 
 Mass - In order to break down the sense of enclosure, Organic architecture often is composed of
recognizable, individual masses that due to their arrangement form a shelter. This differs from the
typical method of creating architecture by using surfaces or envelopes to form the interior space. 
 Glass - The way glass is used is critical part of organic architecture. Glass provides views to the natural
environment, but also breaks up the forms of the building. This reduces the building into its individual
masses, and breaks the sense of enclosure. Where glass is used, it is important that the materials are
carried through, from the interior to the exterior, and that the glass itself has a minimum visual impact. 
 The Site - Organic Architecture is always informed through a response to its site. Wright said that the
building should be "of the hill" and not "on the hill". In this way organic architecture should nestle itself
into its site and weave around the existing trees. 
 REFERENCES

Boyne, A. T. (2013). Retrieved from http://andrewtboyne.com/organicarchitecture.html

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as-a-tool-178199

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trends/organic-architecture-definition-design-concept-examples/

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best-buildings-4540983/5

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organic-architecture.html

Moulton, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/organic-architecture-definition-

architects.html

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