Collaborations In Architecture:

Introduction :

We all know what collaborations means. It's when two or more people come together to work on the same goal. For example, Kohli and Pandya collaborated against Pak in recent T20, Shahrukh and Salman collaborated in 'Karan Arjun', Me and my brother collaborate when it comes to finishing an ice-cream overnight. Based on these examples we can say that collaborations lead to successful results.

 
Let's talk about styles in collaboration. Nowadays we see Maggie mixed with chocolate, sari draped as tops, Bollywood with VFX. While some may like this but most don't. These were some of the examples of how collaborations don't always lead to success but on the other hand you have Maggie toped with cheese, sari draped as ghagra and horror mixed with comedy. now, these according to me are pretty great success.

Coming to architecture, architects too collaborate, not always willingly because Architects prefer working alone, in their own element where no one is teaching them how to do their jobs, but sometimes when the project is big enough, there is more than one architect at play. For example, the astounding Eiffel tower was designed by two architects and two engineers (Gustave Eiffel, Stephen Sauvestre, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier). The record  breaking Burj Khalifa in Dubai was designed by three architects (Adrian Smith, Owings and Merrill). What a success!

Styles Collaborating :

Here instead of architects collaborating we will be discussing styles of architecture collaborating. That is collaboration in Architecture. For that we need to know how many styles are out there.

Various Architectural Styles:

• Classical Architecture 
• Neoclassical Architecture 
• Greek Revival Architecture 
• Industrial Architecture 
• Bauhaus Architecture 
• Victorian Architecture 
• Arts and Crafts Architecture 
• Cape Cod Architecture 
• Tudor Architecture 
• Art Deco Architecture 
• Modern Architecture 
• Brutalist Architecture 
• Contemporary Architecture 
• Vernacular Architecture 
• Beaux-Arts Architecture 
• Italianate Architecture 
• Organic Architecture 

All styles are too good to be left out but we will be covering only Organic Architecture and Modern Architecture in this blog. Collaboration between Organic architecture and Modern architecture will be the result of Zaha Hadid working with Frank Lloyd Wright. Two of the greatest architects, master in their own elements.

Collaboration between Modern and Organic Architecture

Definitions:

Organic Architecture is an approach to design that focuses on natural surroundings and sustainability. Type of architectural design wherein buildings are inspired by, built around and blend in with their natural surroundings. The term organic architecture was coined by the American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Organic Architecture does not try to infringe on nature but instead co exist alongside it, creating a composition that celebrates and is in conversation with the natural world. An organic architecture refers to it's relationship with nature and unified use of styles and natural materials that create a cohesive whole.

Modern Architecture takes a form follows function approach to architectural design, emphasizing clean lines and open floor plans. Modern architecture is a building style that emerged in Europe and America in the first half of the twentieth century.

Modern architecture rejected the ornamentation of the Victorian and Gothic revival styles in favor of sleek minimalism and functionality or the idea that a building should prioritize functionalism above all else. Other architectural styles particularly the Art Deco and Arts and Crafts movements of the late 19th century helped inform what would become the modern style.

Objectives:

Organic Architecture

• The elemental ideation of organic architecture is to respect the properties of surrounding natural resources and materials. 
• Plan a environment-friendly built tangible structures. 
• One of the main objective is to not cause harm to the nature with the building design.
• To build harmonious human habitation with the integration of nature’s ambience.
• Design approach of every structure should be unique.

• Usage of organic colors and simple geometric shapes.

• Any building structure which follows organic architecture should grow naturally out of the landscape usually as the plants do.

Modern Architecture

• Elements placed at 90 degrees to each other and with emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines.

• The use of reinforced concrete and steel.

• Visual manifestation of the structure rather than hiding structural elements.

• Accompanying the 'aesthetics of the machine' in the use of materials produced by industrial processes.

• Rectangular, cylindrical and cubic shapes.

• Asymmetrical compositions.

• Absence of ornaments or moldings.

• Large windows in horizontal bands.

• Open plan floors.
• White or cream facade. 

Difference :

• Organic Architecture harmonizes with nature whereas Modern Architecture fixates on functionalism.
• Organic Architecture's first priority being contextual nature whereas Modern Architecture's first priority being open plans.
• Raw materials used for Organic Architecture are locally available sustainable materials whereas for Modern Architecture raw materials are steel, cement, glass, PVC.

Similarities:

• Both are preferable and reasonable.
• Both offer good circulation in a structure.
• Both can be made sustainable.
• Both are aesthetically pleasing.

Examples

Organic Architecture:

• Falling Water, Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Casa Mila, Architect: Antoni Gaudi
• Taliesin West, Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• East Beach Cafe, Architect: Thomas Heatherwick
• Learning Hub at Nanyang Technological University, Architect: Thomas Heatherwick
• Giralang Primary School, Architect: Enrico Taglietti
• The Audette House, Architect: Peter Muller

Modern Architecture:

• Park Hill, Architect: Jack Lynn and Ivor Smith
• Coventry Cathedral, Architect: Basil Spence
• Brasilia, Architect: Oscar Niemeyer
• Sydney Opera House, Architect: Jorn Utzon
• Munich Olympic Park, Architect: Frei Otto
• Sirius. Architect: Theo Gofers
• Seagram Tower, Architect: Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson
• Aircraft Hangars, Architect: Pier Luigi Nervi
• Millau Viaduct, Architect: Norman Foster

Future Research:

Modernist approaches to Organic Design:

In the last half of the 20th century, Modernist architects took the concept of organic architecture to new heights. By using new forms of concrete and cantilever trusses, designers were able to create swooping arches without visible beams or pillars.

Modern organic buildings are neither linear or rigidly geometric. Instead, their characteristic wavy lines and curved shapes suggest natural forms. While also imbued with a sense of surrealism. Parque guell and many other works by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi are considered organic. Other classic examples of modernist approaches to organic architecture include Sydney Opera House by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and the Dulles International Airport with it's swooping, wing like roofs from Finnish architect Eero Saarinen. 

While embracing some past concepts of the organic movements, the modernist approach is less concerned with integrating architecture within the surrounding environment. The World Trae Centre Transportation Hub by Spanish Architect Santiago Calatrava built by at Ground Zero on the site of the original Twin Towers has been cited by some as a modernist approach to organic architecture.

Personal Note:

So basically, mixing two exceptionally good things will only lead to much better things. Combining the good technology of Modernism with Sustainability of Organic Architecture will give you a beautiful structure flourishing in it's natural surrounding, blending with nature as a whole and built with all the new technology and advanced raw materials. 

It's a win-win. You get good looks, you get close to nature and you get a strong skeleton for the structure. Let me know your views below in the comment section.

By Isha Mutha

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