AXOR Product Catalogue
DESIGN DICTIONARY
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 not characterized by stylistic ex- pression, but rather by a principle of construction that imitates nature (e.g. cellular, netted, skeletal, crystalline) and by abandoning classical static weight- bearing structures in favor of a more flexible and elastic construction. What all organic objects have in common is a design that is developed from the inside out and a focus on accentuating expression. Common techniques include asymmetrical construction, flowing lines, soft shapes, directed structures, plastic volumes and dynamic forms. In organic architecture, buildings might appear to grow or they might even appear to have an explosive energy. Frank Lloyd Wright (Guggenheim Museum New York), Eero Saarinen, and Hans Scharoun in Germany each produced ground-breaking work in this field. Today, futuristic buildings by architects such as Frank O. Gehry, Zaha Hadid, or Peter Cook (Kunsthaus Graz) increasingly showcase organic design elements. The most important representatives are Ron Arad, Luigi Colani, Massimo Iosa-Ghini, Ross Lovegrove (seats for Japan Airlines, 2002) and Philippe Starck. Objects designed through Organic Design principles are often shaped ergonomically and made of high-quality, sustainable materials which fit the overall idea of the product (compare: AXOR Starck Organic). ORIGINAL The word original (from Latin “origo” = beginning) has several meanings. As opposed to a counterfeit, an original is a genuine product or object. As opposed to a copy, an original is a work created by the artist; it is neither changed or replicated. Original can also mean the initial version or prototype; the first version of a text, painting, work of art, or product model. As an adjective, original can also mean innovative, creative, or ingenious. In this context, the adjective original describes something incomparable and exceptional. PROPORTION ⁄ PROPORTIONAL In aesthetics, proportionality means a ratio of size or length which is particularly pleasing to the eye. In fine arts, proportion is used to measure the ideal ratio of individual parts to one another and to the whole. In architecture, it is the measurement of width, height and depth in relation to the complete building (compare: Golden Ratio). How we perceive the balance of proportions is not a matter of chance. It is determined by biology, aesthetics and culture.
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
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