What do you think?
Rate this book
Natural Architecture
Never has the relationship between art and nature been more complicated and more fragile, but also richer and more fascinating. The artists and architects in Natural Architecture have transformed the act of building into an art form capable of sparking new relationships with nature, landscape and the environment. Though far from basic or primitive, these creations are built from humble elements: branches, twigs, pebbles, straw and stone found at their site.
Fulfilling a wide variety of intentions--sometimes structural, sometimes sculptural, sometimes sacred--the works presented here inspire a sense of awe and reverence for the forces of nature.
From a bridge in Tibet connecting an orphanage and a nearby village, to a hut fit for mythical creatures, to a pavilion in Iceland with a roof made of water perpetually frozen in an exuberant shape, each project resonates with a sense of purpose and innate beauty.
Natural Architecture presents sixty-six site-specific installations that use raw materials, manual labor and natural stimuli to create truly green architecture that is as organic as the materials with which it is created.
Projects by Olafur Eliasson, Patrick Dougherty, Nils-Udo, Ex. Studio, Edward Ng, nArchitects and many others are shown together for the first time. Selected for their commitment to the use of raw materials, manual labor, and natural inspiration, these works are vividly displayed in photographs, drawings and models.
These fantastical creations allow the changing landscape to naturally overtake each structure until it finally decomposes.
The rugged and surreal beauty of the projects in Natural Architecture question the wisdom of our ever accelerating construction processes and point a way forward, toward a new organic simplicity of structure and form.
Fulfilling a wide variety of intentions--sometimes structural, sometimes sculptural, sometimes sacred--the works presented here inspire a sense of awe and reverence for the forces of nature.
From a bridge in Tibet connecting an orphanage and a nearby village, to a hut fit for mythical creatures, to a pavilion in Iceland with a roof made of water perpetually frozen in an exuberant shape, each project resonates with a sense of purpose and innate beauty.
Natural Architecture presents sixty-six site-specific installations that use raw materials, manual labor and natural stimuli to create truly green architecture that is as organic as the materials with which it is created.
Projects by Olafur Eliasson, Patrick Dougherty, Nils-Udo, Ex. Studio, Edward Ng, nArchitects and many others are shown together for the first time. Selected for their commitment to the use of raw materials, manual labor, and natural inspiration, these works are vividly displayed in photographs, drawings and models.
These fantastical creations allow the changing landscape to naturally overtake each structure until it finally decomposes.
The rugged and surreal beauty of the projects in Natural Architecture question the wisdom of our ever accelerating construction processes and point a way forward, toward a new organic simplicity of structure and form.
215 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2007
5 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2019
L'architetto che ha scritto questo libro è stato il mio relatore per la tesi di laurea al Politecnico di Milano, quindi mi sento in dovere di spendere due parole riguardo al volume che più volte ho preso in esame.
Il libro è una raccolta di progetti che cercano di spiegare a chi li osserva come fare architettura non sia solamente una questione di mettere un mattone sull'altro, quanto più una vera e propria arte.
I progetti presentati sono opere che utilizzano risorse dei luoghi, i caratteri specifici del sito e l'utilizzo minimo di tecniche non artigianali.
Spesso i progetti presentati nel volume sono vere e proprie opere d'arte più che costruzioni; il tutto vuole essere trasmesso al lettore attraverso i disegni, gli schizzi progettuali, la fotografia e il racconto di questi progetti.
Un libro sull'archittettura sicuramente diverso dagli altri, capace di trasmettere messaggi diretti e nuovi argomenti in sintonia con le proprie emozioni.
Il libro è una raccolta di progetti che cercano di spiegare a chi li osserva come fare architettura non sia solamente una questione di mettere un mattone sull'altro, quanto più una vera e propria arte.
I progetti presentati sono opere che utilizzano risorse dei luoghi, i caratteri specifici del sito e l'utilizzo minimo di tecniche non artigianali.
Spesso i progetti presentati nel volume sono vere e proprie opere d'arte più che costruzioni; il tutto vuole essere trasmesso al lettore attraverso i disegni, gli schizzi progettuali, la fotografia e il racconto di questi progetti.
Un libro sull'archittettura sicuramente diverso dagli altri, capace di trasmettere messaggi diretti e nuovi argomenti in sintonia con le proprie emozioni.
December 5, 2023
Lovely book full of examples major landscape sculptures. Bought it 15 years ago in a charity shop in Hernehill but picked it up again recently when researching for a project I was doing for my basketry course. Very inspiring.
August 4, 2009
Amazing imagery, 17 artists, each project is incredible. Includes work by Patrick Dougherty - I saw his installation in San Francisco this spring.
February 23, 2011
Really Inspiring Images of what is possible with living natural materials from a fascinating selection of different artists.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews