Nature as a Blueprint, as Inspiration, and as Building Materials

The human connection to nature is a powerful and ancient one, and it is beautifully reflected in architecture throughout history.

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Ancient Architectural Principles

The ancient Roman architect Vitruvius (c. 80-15 BCE) established foundational principles of architecture that were used well into the 20th century. He emphasized the symbiotic relationship between a building and its environment. In his treatise De architectura, he discussed the importance of Firmitas (Durability), arguing that the location of a building is as crucial as its materials. He advised builders to avoid marshy areas to prevent noxious vapours and to consider factors like fresh air, good water sources, and protection from strong winds and harsh weather. He also highlighted the principle of Utilitas (Utility), stressing the need to orient city structures to the sun’s path and around natural water sources.

A highly important principle Vitruvius outlined, important to designers for centuries to come in fact, was the imitation of nature to achieve Venustas (Beauty). The term is related to the Roman Goddess of Beauty, Venus (or Aphrodite in Ancient Greece). He posited that the proportions of the human body, discovered by the ancients and considered perfect and divine, should serve as a universal standard for architectural design. Proportions of columns in classical temples mirrored those of the human form, showcasing a commonly held belief that (Mother) nature provides the ultimate standard for beauty.

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Persian (and later Islamic) Architecture

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Pit-Stop in the “Dark Ages”

Throughout history, notable architects demonstrated through their works that Mother Nature really does know best. One example comes from the so-called dark ages, or the Medieval era… because in terms of artistic advancements the age wasn’t so dark after all!

The Chartres Cathedral, finished in 1194 and located in France is a prime example of medieval Gothic architecture. Standing at an imposing 113 meters/371 feet tall, it the revolutionary flying buttress provide it with structural support. These allowed for thinner walls and larger windows, in turn flooding the interior with light. If Mother Nature provides light, and in the Christian belief that light is divine, finding a way to let it in the building is paramount. Flying buttresses to a building are what roots are to a tree…. but turned upside down! Buttresses distribute the outward force of a heavy vaulted ceiling to provide a stable foundation, much like roots hold a tree upright.

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Nature’s Role in Modern Builds 

Jumping forward in “organic architecture” was first championed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). [See the first photo shown above for this article!] His masterpiece is Fallingwater (a private home) in rural Pennsylvania. The house was built directly over a waterfall rather than facing it, as many had suggested to him. His design seamlessly integrates man-made architecture in its natural surroundings, using cantilevered concrete terraces that mimic rock ledges. He didn’t want the homeowners to simply have a view of the landscape, he wanted to emulate the landscape and hence make the house part of nature itself.Similarly, Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), working across the Atlantic in Spain, is the architect behind the unmistakable Basilica Sagrada Família (sacred family) in Barcelona. It was designed, in his words, to resemble a forest of stone. The columns and spires branch out like tree trunks to support the roof and upward like branches. Again a direct mimicry of Mother Nature’s gifts, using stone quarried from her core. It makes you wonder, what hasn’t she given us?

Our last stop is in Beijing China. Drawing design inspiration from nature for solutions in science is known as biomimicry. It’s currently all the rage. One prominent and successful example from the early 2000s is the Beijing National Aquatics Centre, a.k.a. “The Water Cube”. Built for the 2008 Olympics, the natural geometry of soap bubbles and the structure of biological cells inspired its design. The building’s steel frame is a “space truss” that follows the Weaire-Phelan pattern. Not to get to scientific but this highly efficient and lightweight structure mimics the way bubbles cluster together, hence allowing it to withstand seismic activity! The exterior is made of a thin, translucent material called ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene for anyone curious), which is only 1% the weight of glass. The bubble-like cushions of ETFE create a greenhouse effect, significantly reducing the building’s energy consumption. In brief the they’ve not only emulated Mother Nature, but protect her as well!

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Thank you for reading this piece… a reflection rather than a review or revolutionary thought. Consider subscribing for more on mythology, history, and folklore from around the world!