Organic architecture

ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE
1INTRODUCTION
Organic architecture is a
Philosophy of
architecture which promotes
harmony between human
habitation and the natural
world through design
approaches so sympathetic
and well integrated with its
site, that buildings,
furnishings, and surroundings
become part of a unified,
interrelated composition.
Organic architecture is more of a way of living than a tangible thing. It involves respecting
the properties of surrounding natural materials, understanding the function of the
building, and making them work together with the building site in a harmonious way. One
famous example is of Wright rejecting the idea of making a bank look like a Greek temple.

2
Frank lloyd wright incorporated the term "organic" into his
architectural philosophy in about 1908. Although the word
‘organic’ in common usage refers to something which has
the characteristics of animals or plants, frank lloyd wright’s
organic architecture takes on a new meaning.
It is not a style of imitation, because he did not claim to be
building forms which were representative of nature.
Instead, organic architecture is a reinterpretation of
nature’s principles as they had been filtered through the
intelligent minds of men and women who could then build
forms which are more natural than nature itself.
ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE ;
• Promotes harmony between man-made structure and
the nature
• It is achieved by integrating the buildings and
surroundings.
• Main objective is to cause no harm to the nature
through our design
• Every structure is unique & unrepeatable.
• Organic architecture began its great modern journey in
U.S.A
• Inspired by the proverb “Form follows function” -
Architect Louis Sullivan
• Outward appearances resemble inner purposes“
• Organic architecture not only addresses environmental
concerns but also expresses individuality
INTRODUCTION

3ORIGINS OF ORGANIC
ARCHITECTURE
• Organic architecture emerged in different countries at the beginning of the 20th century. The externalization of form in the neo-styles
fired many architects of that period to create a new style of architecture.
• The concept of organic architecture was born from different styles such as art Nouveau, Functionalism, and Constructivism. The
pioneers of this direction drew inspiration from principles derived from living nature.
Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926)
was one of the first architects to express himself in
sculptural form.
These forms were often based on the forces at play
in the construction.
During the last phase of his life he developed a
natural geometry of
double curved surfaces that he applied in the
church of the Sagrada Familia.
Louis Sullivan (1856-1924)
He was one of the first to introduce the concept of
‘organic architecture’. After closely studying
nature, he concluded that form always follows
function and made this principle the guideline for
his architectural designs.
Moreover, he brought his geometrical building
masses to life by means of a rich, organic
ornamentation
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925)
Introduced in architecture the principle of
‘metamorphosis’ that he
Derived from Goethe. This enabled him to express
development
Processes that are inherent to nature, culture and
the human consciousness.
By contemplating these forms an awareness for
interrelations and
the ability to think in processes can be developed
Frank Lloyd Wright (1869-1959)
Broadened both the content and the language of
organic architecture in
many directions. He expanded the concept ‘organic’
to denote the relation
between the building and its environment, the
continuity of internal
and external space and the use of building
materials in accordance with
their own nature.

4
CHARACTERSTIC FEATURES
• Simplicity -Organic architecture is simple because its
scheme and design are clear.
• Nature-The creative possibilities of form, color, pattern,
texture, proportion and rhythm
are all demonstrated in nature. Organic architecture does
not imitate nature but is concerned with natural materials,
the site, and the people who will occupy the buildings.
• Building and Site-The two have a very special relationship
in organic architecture. The building grows out of the
landscape as naturally as any plant; its relationship to the
site is so unique that it would be out of place elsewhere.
• Proportion and Scale- The human body should be the
measure of a building and its furnishings.
Ornament- These are an integral part of the building: they are
not added on, stuck in or unduly exposed. Sculpture and painting
have to become elements of the total design. As much furniture
as possible should be built-in.
Shelter- A building should convey a sense of protection against
the elements. Its inhabitants should never lack privacy or feel
exposed and unprotected.
Tranquility- Space- Quiet, serene, tranquil space is a fitting
environment for human growth. It is achieved by simple
architectural masses that reflect the uncluttered spaces within.
Mechanical Systems and Furnishings- These are used simply in
a way that enhances their innate character and optimizes their
individual color, texture, and strength
Uses of curves as signature: To differentiate organic architecture
from the other branches of architecture that also plays on the
interpretation of nature.

5
Technology integration: technical system is required
to connect human need and natural capability.
Local craft and human resources: needs professional
on particular place.
Design process and integration: It must have
inception of project via owner, community, city
planner…
cultural and historic connection: making sense of
place by creating connection between the people
and environment.
Although these are not all of the principles of organic architecture, they outline the general philosophy. Organic design
aims to include them, but not even Frank Lloyd Wright achieved them totally in each of his buildings. As Wright himself
wrote, “The complete goal of the ideal of organic architecture is never reached. Nor need be. What worthwhile ideal is
ever reached?
CHARACTERSTIC FEATURES
Materials-Not all organic architecture has it,
but when used, it is developed as an integral
part of the material, not applied. Examples
are patterns cast in concrete or carved in
stone, leaded glass panels, and tile or glass
mosaics.
Inter linkage of exterior and interior spaces-
we don’t see ourselves in a totally different
and new environment when we step into an
organic building because of the linkage with
the exterior.

6FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
(1869-1959)
• Frank Lloyd Wright
was an American architect,
interior designer, writer,
educator, and philosopher.
• , Wright was
recognized in 1991 by the
American Institute of Architects as
“the greatest American architect of
all time”
• He was born in Richland Center,
Wisconsin, on June 8, 1867, and died
in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 9, 1959,
at the age of 91
. When he was nine, his mother gave him a
set of Froebel blocks, a children's learning
toy. Through the blocks, Wright learned to
use geometry to create flat designs on paper
and to build designs with blocks. As he got
older, he started to see geometric shapes in
everything around him.

7
He started his formal education in 1885 at the University of Wisconsin School for Engineering. In 1887 he stopped his education without
taking a degree and moved to Chicago, where he was consecutively a part of two architectural firms. In 1893 he started his own
architectural practice.
Wright designed more than
1,000 projects, which resulted
in more than 500 completed works.
Wright's "organic architecture“
was a radical departure from the
traditional architecture of his day,
which was dominated by European styles that dated back
hundreds of years or even millennia. While most of his
designs were single-family homes, his varied output also
includes houses of worship, skyscrapers, resorts, museums,
government offices, gas stations, bridges, and other
masterpieces showing the diversity of Frank Lloyd Wright's
talent.
Notice Wright’s design, its different from the building to the right which is built
approximately the same time as wright’s bank
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
(1869-1959)

8BASIC PRINCIPLES OF WRIGHTS DESIGN
Besides the common principles used by many Architects, Wright had his own signature principles that made
him unique from other architects who practice organic architecture. These are :
-Organic Colors
-Simple Geometric Shapes
-Integration of Building with Natural Surroundings
-Strong Horizontal Lines
-Hidden Entries

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Which of these basic principles do you see in the Arthur
Heurtley House in Oak Park, Illinois built in 1902?
Organic Colors?
Simple Geometric Shapes?
Integration with Natural
Surroundings?
Hidden Entry Way?
Strong Horizontal Lines?
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF WRIGHTS DESIGN

10
TALISIEN HOUSE. Spring green
Wisconsin and Scottsdale Arizona
TALISIEN HOUSE. Spring green Wisconsin TALISIEN HOUSE Scottsdale Arizona

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TALISIEN HOUSE. Spring green
Frank Lloyd Wright and his wife
started the Taliesin Fellowship.
Taliesin was Wright's home and
school from 1937 until his death in
1959 at the age of 91.
Twenty-three apprentices came to
live and work on wrights farm in
Spring Green .They learned drafting,
construction methods, and other
crafts, as well as overseeing the
construction of Wright’s projects..
Each Fall after harvest ,the apprentices would then load up trucks and station wagons with food, drawings, and
other necessities and caravan across the plains to scottsdale arizona, the site of Taliesin West

12
TALISIEN HOUSE Scottsdale Arizona
Taliesin west was built in Frank's formulated style of prairie style.
During the construction of Taliesin West, the house and studio
were merely a series of “sleeping boxes” that were clustered
around a central terrace for Wright and his apprentices
Wright felt very strongly about the connection to the desert.
F.L.W said, “Arizona needs its own architecture”. That is why
he used Surface patterned after such abstraction in the
patterns of rattlesnake, Gila monster, and Chameleon.
The structure's walls are made of local desert rocks, stacked
within wood forms, filled with concrete.
The rich red hue from the redwood timber roof along with the
earthy, sandy hues from the concrete and the stone façade
creates a close natural relationship between the house and
landscape

12
TALISIEN HOUSE Scottsdale Arizona
Taliesin west was built in Frank's formulated style of prairie
style. During the construction of Taliesin West, the house and
studio were merely a series of “sleeping boxes” that were
clustered around a central terrace for Wright and his
apprentices
Wright felt very strongly about the connection to the desert.
F.L.W said, “Arizona needs its own architecture”. That is why
he used Surface patterned after such abstraction in the
patterns of rattlesnake, Gila monster, and Chameleon.
The structure's walls are made of local desert rocks, stacked
within wood forms, filled with concrete.
The rich red hue from the redwood timber roof along with the
earthy, sandy hues from the concrete and the stone façade
creates a close natural relationship between the house and
landscape

13PRAIRIE HOUSES
Prairie is a treeless grass-covered plain found in the
United States and Canada,
->Observing these plains Frank formulated the prairie
style which is characterized by :
 strong horizontal lines
 large windows
 Took into account the surrounding geography
 Open plan rooms
• But unlike the usonian houses which are cheap and
affordable the prairie houses are built for the
wealthy. These houses are built mainly with brick
and concrete. But when it comes to usonian houses
their primary building material is wood which is easy
to build with and cheap in the USA. But this doesn’t
mean that brick is not also used in usonian houses.
Typically, this houses consisted of broad open
spaces instead of strictly defined rooms, and
deliberately blurred the distinction between
interior space and the surrounding terrain. Wright
acclaimed "the new reality that is space instead of
matter" and, about architectural interiors, said that
the "reality of a building is not the container but
the space within."

14USONIAN HOUSES
In 1936, when the united states was in the depth of an
economic depression, fl.Wright developed a series of
homes he called usonian. Usonian refers to houses of the
USA, because previously built houses were based on
neoclassic style of Greek Architecture and FL wright aimed
to completely change this style into a brand new American
architecture which has no connections with the past.
Usonian house project was started in the same year his
falling water landed him on the cover of Time, magazine.
These designs reflected his desire to craft a uniquely
American style, as well as his interest in creating well-
designed homes that an average American could afford.
The client for wrights usonian houses were distinctly
middle class in contrast to clients of prairie houses which
were very wealthy. And even though usonian
architecture grew out of wright’s earlier praire style,
they are cost controlled so as to achieve affordability.

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- No formal living area( no distinction or closed wall)
- Radiant heating system( with pipes full of hot steam
running through the foundation to heat up the house from
the ground up)
- Materials like brick and wood were left unpainted
- Open floor plan
- Incorporation of the living area with he kitchen
- A strong visual Connection between the indoor and the
outdoor
- Strong horizontal lines
- No garage no basement and no attic
- Natural lighting with celestory windows
- No or little ornamentation
- Low roofs
CHARACTERISTICS OF USONIAN
HOUSES

16
BROADACRE CITY
Broadacre city was an urban development concept
proposed by fl. Wright throughout most of his lifetime. He
presented the idea in his book The disappearing city in
1932. A few years later he unveiled a very detailed 3.7m by
3,7m scale model representing a hypothetical 10km2
community.
The model was crafted by the students of Taliesin
Most of the building models in the concept were completely
new designs while others were refinement of old ones.
In the plan ach family is given one acre (4000m2) plot which
they can have private gardens and swimming pools,
There is a train station and a few office and apartment
buildings. But the apartment dwellers are expected to be a
small minority
All important transportation is done by automobiles,
although there are boats.

17
PICTURES OF BROADACRE CITY

18TYPICAL EXAMPLES
THE SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum was one
of Wright’s most noticeable creation,
Guggenheim museum has its origins in the
Taliesin west where he perfected his design for,
16 years ( 1943–1959). In return Guggenheim
Museum is considered as Wright’s masterpiece
followed next to Falling water.
The building rises as a warm big spiral. Its
interior is similar to the inside of a seashell. Its
unique central geometry was meant to allow
visitors to easily experience Guggenheim's
collection of nonobjective geometric paintings
by taking an elevator to the top level and then
viewing artworks by walking down the slowly
descending, central spiral ramp.
Unfortunately, when the museum was completed, a
number of important details of Wright's design were
ignored, including his desire for the interior to be painted
off-white. Furthermore, the Museum currently designs
exhibits to be viewed by walking up the curved walkway
rather than walking down from the top level

19TYPICAL EXAMPLES
. Robie House (1908-1910)
Robie house was Influenced
by the flat, expansive prairie
landscape of the American
Midwest. Therefore being
built in Wright’s formulated
prairie style.
The Robie House creates a
clever arrangement of
public and private spaces.
The client insisted on the
idea of "seeing his
neighbors without being
seen" F.L.W Wright
approached this request
with an enormous
cantilever over the porch
Every rooms in the house
are defined while still
flowing into one another
unlike usonian houses
which are not well
defined(no defined living
room)
Windows used were “light
screens” which were composed
of pieces of clear and colored
glass, usually with
representations of nature
windows were also stretched on
French doors along the entire
south wall on the main level,
opening up to a balcony.

20TYPICAL EXAMPLES
FALLINGWATER(1936-1938); case study
►Fallingwater, is a house designed by Frank Lloyd
Wright in 1935 in rural southwestern Pennsylvania
► it was built as a weekend home for owners Mr.
Edgar Kaufmann & his family.
► Wright’s admiration for Japanese architecture was
important in his inspiration for this house, Just like
in Japanese architecture, Wright wanted to create
harmony between man and nature.
► The house was meant to compliment its site while
still competing with the drama of the falls and their
endless sounds of crashing water.

21
TYPICAL EXAMPLES
BUILDING FALLING WATER!
Unlike the Guggenheim Museum which took 16
years of designing. Designing falling water took
only a few hours! It wasn't until September of
1935 that
Wright produced any drawings when suddenly
he was overwhelmed by a surprise Visit from
Edgar Kaufmann, on business trip nearby.
Kaufmann called Wright and told him he would be at Taliesin in a few
hours to see the plans for the new country house. Wright had nothing
on paper. Summoning the help of apprentices Bob Mosher and Edgar
Tafel, Wright sat down at the drawing table and produced several
preliminary sketches for the house, surprisingly it was complete almost
exactly When Kaufmann arrived, Wright greeted him saying
“We’ve been expecting you." And thus began the design and creation of
Fallingwater.

22TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Wright had recognized the attraction the
waterfall had for his clients, and wanted them "to
live with the waterfall, not just to look at it,. The
Kaufmanns were unprepared for Wright's placing
the house directly above the waterfall, instead of
facing it, but readily accepted the architect's
designs almost without change. Finally the main
house was constructed from 1936-38, followed by
the guest house construction in 1939
The original house contains simple rooms furnished by Wright himself, with
an open living room and compact kitchen on the first floor, and three small
bedrooms located on the second floor. The third floor was the location of the
study and bedroom of Edgar Jr., the Kaufmann’s son.

23TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Interpretation of F.L.W idea of integrating
falling water with the nature
 The rooms all relate towards the house’s
natural surroundings, and the living room even
has steps that lead directly into the water
below.
 The circulation through the house consists of
dark, narrow passageways, intended this way
so that people experience a feeling of
compression when compared to that of
expansion the closer they get to the outdoors.
 The ceilings of the rooms are low, reaching only
up to 6’4″ in some places, in order to direct the
eye horizontally to look outside.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FALLING WATER
 Finl costa: $155,000 (Included $8,000 architect’s fees)
 Square footage: The main house uses 5,330 square
feet while the guest house uses 1,700 square feet.
 Paint Colors. Only two colors were used
throughout: a light ochre(yellowish orange color) for
the concrete and his signature Cherokee red for the
steel. Special paints were used to withstand
environmental challenges.
 Visitation: 4.5 million people since the door opned in
1964,
 Fallingwater is the only major Wright-designed
house to open to the public with its furnishings,
artwork, and setting intact( untouched)
 Fallingwater was featured on the cover of Time
Magazine, January 1938

24TYPICAL EXAMPLES
HERE ARE A FEW MORE DESIGNES BY FL.WRIGHT
The Johnson Wax buildingUnity Temple“Bread and Butter” houses

25THE TRSNSFROMATION OF
Organic architecture seemed to have
expired at the end of the twenties. Several of
its leading pioneers such as Sullivan, Steiner
and Gaudi died and in Europe the impending
Second World War caused a general decline
in building.
In the 15th and 16th century however, organic
architecture underwent a surprising revival
brought about by pioneers of the modern
movement.
They transformed its initially rigid
geometrical character into a more lively,
organic direction
Notre-Dame-du-Haut
Le Corbusier
Ronchamp, France, 1950-
1955
TWATerminal,JohnF.Kennedy
Airport
EeroSaarinen
NewYork,USA,1956-1962
SydneyOperaHouse
JørnUtzon
Sydney,Australia,1957-1973
Philharmonie
Hans Scharoun
Berlin, Germany, 1956-
1963
Finlandiahall
Alvar Aalto
Helsinki, Finland, 1962-
1975
Sekem Kindergarden
Portus-Bau
Egypt, 1986
INGBank
Alberts&VanHuut
Amsterdam,theNetherlands,
1979-1987
ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE WORLDWIDE

Organic architecture

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