Author: Matthew Gins

A cultural reaction, pertaining to social and biological interactions in a design strategy of architecture, is a form of Organicism. This is when an architectural design as a whole uses the biology of living organisms, such as obtaining energy from the sun, waterproof skin/fur, and bone/muscle structure, to utilizes their effects into a manufactured design.

Examples:

• Bullet Train: Nose Like a Kingfisher Beak
• Butterfly Wings: ACTION: Analyze the makeup of a butterfly wing. EFFECT: new material with microscopic grooves, ridges and bumps. USE: The grooves force water to bead without soaking through the material — making it effectively waterproof. Cladding for buildings, thus not requiring paint or waterproofing.

A cultural reaction, pertaining to sustainable design strategies in architecture, is a form of Organicism. This is when an architectural design as a whole responds to the surrounding culture by sustaining and providing for both the environment and any adjacent living organisms.

An example of sustainable design strategies is seen in Madagascar, Australia and Africa by the natives’ utilization of the Baobab Tree. The tree is known as the “The Tree of Life” for reasons in which it is one of the ideal cases of Organicism. This tree helps sustain life by providing fruit that is enriched with vitamin C and can be hollowed out for a home and not die. These trees can hold up to 60 people within. It also provide protection because the outer shell of the tree fire resistant. The bark can also be used for ropes and clothing. This tree alone can provide most of the needs of a community, whether that is architecturally or nutritiously.

A cultural reaction, pertaining to social preservation design strategies in architecture, is a form of Organicism. This is when an architectural design as a whole preserves the memories and techniques, such as original work, thoughts and philosophies previously encountered by a society, to maintain and grow ones own social group.

An example of this social preservation seen in an architectural design is the Tijibaou Culture Center, designed by Renzo Piano. The intention of this building is to record and preserve the traditions and culture of the indigenous tribe, Kanaks. The set of buildings is organic by nature because of the specific responses it takes in relation to the local culture. This is seen in the buildings depiction of settlement patterns in the local villages by replicating the clusters of “cases”. The cases within the villages are woven palm fronds and are reinterpreted in the design as mahogany wood. The group of buildings continues to use the adjacent culture and traditions in its design by the materials, patterns and form.

A cultural reaction, pertaining to environment design strategies in architecture, is a form of Organicism. This is when an architectural design as a whole reacts to the different elements, such as solar, water, wind and earth, to utilizes or controls their effects on living organisms.

An example of environmental design strategies in architecture that react organically is the Maison Tropicale, which was designed and commissioned by Jean Prouvé in 1949. This prefabricated tropical house is described as a humanistic response to nature in an architectural form. This response to nature is done by embracing the needs of the occupant through the utilization of its context. The design of the home reacts by the form of the roof, the specific openings for passive ventilation, the blue tinted glass for visual needs, the specifically placed louvers for shading and the raised platform for safety.