Planning & Inspiration
DESIGN DICTIONARY
design principle that uses nature as role model and recreates a sense of nature. Consequently, nature-inspired design products should create an overall natural impression and enhance the feeling of well-being (compare: AXOR Massaud). NATURALIST ⁄ NATURALISM Naturalism is a movement in literature and art that experienced its zenith from 1870 until 1890. Artists of naturalism had the aim to portray objects as they are; as realistically as possible, convincing in perspective, accurate in every detail and without euphemism. However, accuracy in appearance, carried to extremes by photorealism, is no guarantee that the message conveyed is genuine or true. NEOCLASSICISM Neoclassicism (in contrast to classicism of the late 18th and the early 19th century) is an international architecture trend of the 20th century. The movement turned against Jugendstil and historicism after the First World War and was then characterized by referring to classical style elements and forms. The creators of Neoclassicism studied the buildings of Greek and Roman Antiquity, borrowing and then modifying their clear structure, geometrical layout, monumental appearance and classical order of pillars and gables. Famous buildings in the Neoclassical style of architecture are found in the USA (e.g. 30th Street Station in Philadelphia), in France (e.g. the Palais de Chaillot in Paris), or in Finland (e.g. the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki). A unique neoclassical style with a monumental focus emerged in Germany under National Socialism and in fascist Italy, for example from Albert Speer or Enrico del Debbio. Famous examples in Germany include the Olympic Stadium and the Neue Reichskanzlei. In Italy, examples include the sports facilities Foro Italico in Rome, as well as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome. In Russia, socialist Neoclassicism influences many cities even today: the Moscow State University is one example, as is the House of Soviets in St. Petersburg. NOSTALGIA ⁄ NOSTALGIC Nostalgia (from Latin nostalgia” = homesickness, Greek “nóstos” = homecoming and “álgos” = pain) describes the memory of good times past: a feeling of undefined, retrospective longing which motivates one to recall or revive past styles in art, music or fashion. Nostalgic design or nostalgia is invoked by products, spaces, and music (e.g. by reusing flower power elements of the 1960s, or the music of the 1980s). The focus is on reconstructing a past style as accurately as possible, without adding new elements, or on creating a new style by combining old and new elements (compare: Retro) (compare: AXOR Montreux). ORGANIC DESIGN Organic Design is both a style and a principle of design and construction. As a style, it constitutes the polar opposite of geometric, functionalist styles. It is inspired by organic shapes and sometimes also by inorganic, particularly crystalline, structures, both of which appear in nature. Classical features of Organic Design are powerful curves and dynamic, round shapes. Typically, (but not exclusively) amorphous forms are used which appear natural and symbolize nature. The aim is to achieve a pleasing, natural impression and many organic designs allude to structures that occur naturally. As a design principle, Organic Design can be found in many disciplines and there is no stylistic unity. Organic forms can be found in traditional, high-tech or minimalistic styles. Organic Design is
offers a lot of advantages—especially in terms of costs and flexibility. Thanks to modern, computer-based production concepts, modular buildings and individualization possibilities or aesthetic designs are no longer considered as insurmountable hurdles. MONOLITH ⁄ MONOLITHIC A monolith (from ancient Greek “monólithos” = unified stone or one-stone) is a naturally-shaped or carved block formed from one type of stone. Boulders (large, single pieces of stone) or overhanging mountain ledges are considered (natural) monoliths, as are island rocks (e.g. Uluru in Australia) or rock towers (e.g. Angels Landing in the USA). Monoliths created by human hands include stone pillars, e.g. The Obelisk of Axum, Ethiopia, and the Stone of the Pregnant Woman, Lebanon. The latter is one of the largest carved monoliths and was originally planned to be in the temple complex of Baalbek. The adjective monolithic is usually used synonymously for anything consisting in one piece or one block. In architecture, the term refers to buildings (or parts of buildings) that are built out of one single material (stone or cast concrete). Similarly, underground tanks or water reservoir tanks of a single mold are also called monolithic. In general, objects are described as monolithic if they consist of a single part (compare: AXOR MyEdition). MONUMENT ⁄ MONUMENTAL Important ⁄ meaningful memorials, buildings or large paintings are called monuments (from Latin “moneo” = to commemorate sb. ⁄ sth., admonish, call attention to) and often have the purpose of preserving the memory of historically important people or events. These could be burial mounds (Hågahügel, Sweden), giant sculptures (Mount Rushmore, USA), or symbolic buildings (Walhalla, Germany). One common usage of monumental is as an adjective for anything reminiscent or serving as a monument, made in large dimensions and therefore very impressive. In architecture, the Neoclassicism of the early 20th century was influenced by the monumental approach to building from antiquity, the Baroque and the Classic. The main building of La Sapienza University (Rome, Italy), the Haus der Kunst (Munich, Germany) or the Michigan Central Station (Detroit, USA) are all examples of this (compare: Neoclassicism). Monumental buildings or furniture have—due to their impressive dimensions—a memorial effect (compare: AXOR Citterio). NATURAL ⁄ NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGN In common usage, the adjective natural means real, authentic, original and of indigenous origin. This general meaning was coined during the Enlightenment in Rousseau’s philosophy, which accentuated the difference between a natural and a civilized way of life. The use of natural in the sense of biological, non-synthetic and pure only became dominant with industrial development and the introduction of artificial materials and artificially produced food. With the increasing mechanization of our surroundings and a growing sense of alienation from nature and traditions, the idea of a natural environment has come to assume greater prominence as an ideal or utopian state. The term natural describes a state of affairs which hasn’t been altered by civilization or education. In design and architecture, the term natural refers to a process of imitation with the purpose of achieving an overall impression reminiscent of nature, with the aim to create a sense of well-being. When designing an object and when choosing the materials, all human senses are considered; visual and spatial perception, the senses of smell and touch, sensations of warmth and cold and also cultural connotations. Consequently, nature-inspired design is a
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