21 августа 2019г.
Summary: Modern civil engineering may trigger serious ecological problems. The use of organic architecture principles and methods is one of the most effective ways to assist in meeting these challenges. Moreover, implementation of the principles of organic architecture makes constructed objects more aesthetically pleasing and creates harmony between people and nature.
Key words: organic architecture, ecology, civil engineering
Ecological problems have become a real issue of our planet, and the cause of these problems is the aggressive activity of a human being. People are seriously concerned with the perspective of possible ecological catastrophes, and they aspire to reduce their pernicious environmental impact. It is impossible to bring back what has already been destroyed, and that is why the humanity should think about protection and restoration of what has been left.
Considering that, the easiest way to solve this problem would be to stop construction works to save land funds and to start living in caves. It is hard to disagree that this option looks attractive, therefore, I would like to suggest another solution, namely, employment of the principles of organic architecture in civil engineering.
Organic architecture is not just an architectural trend. It’s a real philosophy that is founded on the idea of unity and harmony between human beings and environment. The history of organic architecture dates back to the end of the 19th century. Its principles are opposed to the principles of functionalism, another trend in contemporary architecture.
For the first time the definition of the term “organic architecture” was formulated by Louis Henry Sullivan. This innovation was further developed by his disciple, Frank Lloyd Wright. He elaborated the main principles of organic architecture.
F. L. Wright defined organic architecture as a type of architecture in which wholeness acts as an ideal in a philosophical sense where a whole is related to a part as a part related to a whole.
The most attractive feature of this architectural style is harmonious coexistence of a building – an exterior of which flows from inside – with the landscape. There is no need to level a building site and to get rid of green spaces because organic architecture means soft interaction with the existing landscape.
To design buildings F. L. Wright used the following principles:
1. The principle of minimization: it implies reduction of a number of building’s parts and rooms in the way that they constitute an organic whole, and this whole is full with air making the sense of unity in every point of the structure.
2. The principle of consistency: the building and the land plot create a whole by giving a horizontal extent to the building, namely, by emphasizing its horizontal planes. Wherein the construction should not occupy the best part of the land plot, vice versa, the most complimenting part should become a continuation of the building.
3. The principle of shapeliness: all proportions of the structure should be as close as possible to the proportions of a human beings. Also it is necessary to make a constructive decision, which provides the lowest consumption of space.
4. The principle of wholeness: the number of partitions and walls’ apertures should be kept to a minimum. This is needed for a single space creation. Also walls and ceilings should smoothly transfer into each other for the same purpose.
5. The principle of mono-construction material: resort to several different building materials is not acceptable. It is also recommended to use natural building materials, such as wood and stone. In addition a building should be done without any internal and external sheathing, shaping decor elements from surface construction materials. Decor elements, that do not act as a natural continuation of employed building materials, should be excluded.
6. The principle of engineering integrity: engineering systems should be designed in the way that provides maximum integration with the whole building, in other words, engineering systems should be made as a part of the built structures.
Summing it all up, it can be assumed that the main principle of organic architecture is based on the idea of enlargement and exclusion, which means simplification of the design of the structure not leading to the boring and primitive “box”.
These principles were relevant in the early 20th century, but over the years new building technologies and materials have appeared, and it took civil engineering to a new level. We can deplete the planet if we continue to use natural building materials everywhere. That is why the development of new artificial environmentally friendly building materials is one of the most important problems to be solved in the nearest future.
For reasons stated at the beginning of the article, contemporary architects use principles of F. L. Wright’s philosophy in their works. For the sake of saving unique landscape they create projects organically incorporating them. The shape of these buildings follows from the environmental terrane. There are two methods to achieve this: the first one is biomorphism – the repetition of natural forms, and the second one is integration directly into the landscape. One of the most canonical example of these methods is a Fallingwater house (1936 – 1939) by F. L. Wright.
Natural building materials are still used in organic architecture. Earlier such constructions were based on the principle of the mono-construction material approach. Today the architects combine light construction materials with the heavy ones, for example, wood and concrete.This technique helps to create interesting and attractive interior and exterior without using additional decor elements, as it was originally meant by organic architecture principles.
At the beginning of the 20th century ribbon or panaram glazing was not a common occurrence, which differs greatly from modern architecture. Plenty of natural light creates an atmosphere of freedom. It is a very important feature of organic architecture. This kind of glazing promotes reduction of the use of artificial light sources. Glass is used for the indoor zoning to create an illusion of a single space and harmony between outer and inner space. Since organic architecture is determined by climatic features of the area, in which a construction is built, many architects try to use it to create an effect of the space overflow. In other words, to create an illusion of the gradual transfer of the interior space into the exterior environment and vice versa.
The picture of harmony between a human being and nature is completed by a wide scale gardening of the living space. It looks very spectacular, especially when plants used for decor match up with the native flora. Thereby, the building looks more organic, moreover, the presence of plants in the house as well as a maximum glazing have a very positive effect on the emotional health of human beings.
The principles and methods that were given above may seem actual only for private low-rise constructions, but it is unfair to completely limit their application to such structures. Some works of F. L. Wright can prove it. For example his Larkin Company Administration Building in Buffalo, New York: it was the first time when glass doors and built-in furniture characteristic of organic architecture were applied. Moreover, an atrium space planning structure, which means that rooms with people were located around inner space called atrium, were employed for the first time as well. This allowed him to get the top and side lighting.
In addition, one of the most illustrative examples of using organic architecture principles in designing public and high-rise buildings are Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and The Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Over the years, the building sector has developed enough to create new materials and technologies, which can help to apply organic architecture principles more widely. The spread of the organic style in modern architecture will reduce damage that civil engineering inflicts on our planet.
Definitely, this style has very high aesthetic indicators. It is important because buildings built in the period of functionalism are not attractive enough. Methods and principles of organic architecture can help residents to find harmony with nature and maybe even change their lifestyle. I think, the most important feature of organic architecture is harmony between constructed buildings and the environment itself. The spread of organic architecture principles together with eco-friendly building principles can help us reduce negative impact of the process of the buildings’ construction and operation. It also can help us preserve our planet for future generation.
References
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5. Organic Architecture as a Design Tool. [Electronic source] : ThoughtCo.com – Electronic data. – URL: https://www.thoughtco.com/organic-architecture-nature-as-a-tool-178199 (12.07.2019)
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