Bio-Architecture

Description:
'Bio-Architecture' studies the natural principles of animal and human constructions from several different perspectives, and presents a great part of the knowledge that gives origin and shape to built form. Organic architecture offers a design approach arising from natural principles, bringing us back to local history, tradition, and cultural roots to give us built forms which are in harmony with nature. It also shows how architects can take advantage of the resources that contemporary technology has placed within our grasp. 'Bio-Architecture' is a unique book that studies the natural principles of animal and human constructions from several different perspectives and looks at what gives origin and shape to built form. The text gives an informative, inspiring overview of the drive toward organically informed design both intrinsically and aesthetically using a wide variety of international examples. Javier Senosiain is an architect and an historian. He has pursued his interest in Organic Architecture across the globe drawing parallels between Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic dome and the spider's web; between Santiago Calatrava's Cathedral of St John in NY and the roots of a tree. Where nature has inspired form, Senosiain has made a career of analyzing and applying the principles he sees in some very creative writing and architecture. This beautiful book inspires readers to design with the environment in mind. Comparative study of the engineering principles in nature and built structures outlines the fundamentals of architectural design. International examples show how architects use different locations and climates to inform specific biological forms and techniques.

Review:
'Javier Senosiain tackles a large subject with appropriate enthusiasm. He gives an insight into the basic elements found in nature and shows how they are used in the architecture and construction of our built environment. No study of bio-architecture should begin without reference to vernacular architecture from around the world and Senosiain provides a well illustrated study of forms and structures from various climatic zones.' EcoTech Magazine

Table of Contents:
Chapter One. Nature: Inspiration of Man. Chapter 2 Function in Nature. Chapter 3 Space in Nature. Chapter 4 Structure in Nature. Chapter 6 Shape in Nature. Chapter 7 Snails, Clams, Cephalopods. Chapter 8 Man: His Space throughout the ages. Chapter 9. Vernacular Architecture. Chapter 10 Arches, Vaults, Domes. Chapter 11 The Modern City. Chapter 12 The Organic: Man's Natural Space. Chapter 13 Organic Architecture. Chapter 14 The Search for Space. Chapter 14 The Organic Habit. Epilogue.

Author Biography:
Javier Senosiain is an architect and an historian. He has pursued his interest in Organic Architecture across the globe drawing parallels between Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic dome and the spider's web; between Santiago Calatrava's Cathedral of St John in NY and the roots of a tree. Where nature has inspired form, Senosiain has made a career of analyzing and applying the principles he sees in some very creative writing and architecture.