Thursday, July 20, 2017

Mimicking Life: The Most Astonishing Architectural Structures Inspired By Nature

Human beings have been variously inspired by nature in their endeavors. They have produced wonderful objects and upheld ideas nurtured by their understanding of the surroundings. Their fascination for natural formations come from observing the world unfold its most glorious secrets.

Image source: maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com

One can easily witness the surprising perfection of nature’s structures as they correspond closely to precise sequences, as in the unfurling ferns, tree branching, pine cone arrangements, and other biological settings where the Fibonacci numbers, for example, are most apparent. Here are some of the most ingenious architectural creations in the world that celebrates and extends nature’s wonders:

Kunsthaus Graz, Austria

This art museum is a stunning combination of organicistic influences from nature and the highly digital development and foundation of blob architecture. The free-form “skin” of the building is a cover made of acrylic panels and the entire structure, of steel and foam glass. The building is meant to interact with the environment and change according to its dynamic interior and exterior functions, like art installations and projections which the structure can accommodate.

Beijing National Stadium, China

The stadium was specifically built for the 2008 Olympic Games and has since been called “Bird’s Nest” by the locals. The exposed trusses give it that natural look resembling the intricate weavings and material construction in a typical nest.

Sagrada Familia, Spain

The Sagrada Familia is probably the most anticipated architectural project of the current and previous century. After over a hundred years since Gaudi started working on this Roman Catholic church, it remains unfinished. The central nave of the church was only completed in 2000. The exterior is a surrealistic architectural feat that combines Gothic and Art Nouveau tendencies. Inside the church is Gaudi’s magnanimous interpretation of a forest canopy where the columns supporting the vault mimic trees.

Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

Lisa Dudzik is an expat who had worked in various countries before returning to her home state in Perth, Western Australia. For almost two decades, she managed large-scale construction projects involving high-capacity subways and stations, roads, and highways. For similar reads, visit this blog.

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