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Cubist undertakings do not resent me at all. let them eat their square pears on triangular tablets their health. my art does not reason, it is molten lead, the azure of the soul pouring on the canvas.
MArc shagall “my life”
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Everything in nature is fractal, jagged, and rich in detail, though with a certain pattern. the smooth, by comparison, belongs to the class of Euclidian geometry we study in school, simplified shapes that lose this layer of wealth. alas, contemporary architecture is smooth, even when it tries to look whimsical. what is top-down is generally unwrinkled (that is, unfractal) and feels dead. Sometimes modernism can take a naturalistic turn, then stop in its tracks. Gaudi’s buildings in Barcelona, from around the turn go the 20th century, are inspired by nature and rich architecture (Baroque and moorish). I managed to visit a rent-controlled apartment there: it felt like an improved cavern with rich, jagged details. I was convinced that I had been there in a previous life. wealth of details, ironically leads to inner peace…
Nassim Nicholas taleb “antifragile: things that gain from disorder”
When I think of architecture harmonising with nature and humankind, Friedrich Hundertwasser immediately comes to mind. He was an extraordinary artist, architect, eco-activist, and philosopher who introduced the world to a unique visual language. Hundertwasser made a significant contribution to post-war modernism. One of his favourite motifs is a pattern often found in nature—a spiral.
His architectural philosophy centred around achieving complete harmony with the environment. He celebrated vibrant colours and the essence of life itself. Rejecting straight lines, which he deemed unnatural and harmful, he embraced organic forms that allowed wilderness to coexist with buildings rather than be displaced by them. His designs featured spontaneous greenery, rooftop forests, uneven floors, and structures that curved around trees and landscapes instead of destroying them. Rather than promoting dull uniformity, he championed a variety of colours and shapes.
In his book, Hundertwasser for the Future, he presented socio-critical ecological manifestos that were visionary for their time. He passionately advocated for a waste-free mindset, the greening of cities, and a return to natural life cycles. What once seemed utopian to his contemporaries has now become an urgent necessity.
Hundertwasser believed that nature holds the key to solving many of humanity’s problems. He considered vegetation a true teacher, offering wisdom through its slow, deliberate growth, deep connection to the earth, and efficient use of natural resources like sunlight. Plants follow the rhythms of nature, resting and awakening in cycles, adapting seamlessly to their surroundings, branching out in extraordinary ways, and demonstrating patience in their existence. By observing and learning from these natural processes, people can discover more sustainable and harmonious ways of living.