Rostański, Krzysztof M., 2012, Natura modelowana, Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śląskiej, Gliwice
- Author : Rostański, Krzysztof M.
- Year : 2012
- Title English : Modelled nature
- Publisher : Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śląskiej
- Publisher's Location : Gliwice
- ISBN : 978-83-7335-987-1
- Pages : 298
- Abstract : This work is a synthesis of the characteristic features of naturalism in urban design, which goes beyond strictly building elements and encompasses the question of vegetation that constitutes an important element of a designed spatial composition. The issue of the relation between building elements and nature has a wide bibliography about its planning scales, whereas its implementing scales have hardly any. Greenery at this particular level is no longer indefinite, but becomes defined, consisting of particular species and varieties which create either structures able to exist independently or artistic structures demanding constant intervention. Through artistic features of geometric forms it is easy to convey abstract meanings, different ideas, or to emphasise certain functions. On the whole, this style is easier to understand in its cultural connotations. In contrast, the naturalistic style is less readable, functioning at the level of biological response, beyond our consciousness. It increases in value, however, owing to its authentic help in the proper functioning of living organisms, including man. Although the naturalistic space requires certain effort in its perception, it is by the separation of forms associated with places of work and daily life that psychosomatic regeneration is provided. In comparison to the anthropogenic space, this style is characterised by reduced stimuli and their considerable distinctiveness, often creating an exceptionally favourable bio-climate. The term reduced stimuli does not imply here any formal simplicity. On the contrary, naturalistic structures display diversity and formal richness as well as complexity and completeness to a much higher degree than geometric structures. Accents are placed here in a more subtle and harmonious way. A positive aspect of the present work is to demonstrate certain possibilities of the formal shaping of naturalistic objects while preserving their natural value. The basic condition, however, is to let greenery keep a certain margin of freedom, which will enable the presence of natural processes, including natural succession. It has to be accepted that as a result the aesthetic expression will undergo changes that will almost get out of control. The present work develops a number of issues considered to be vital when explaining the topic in question. There is described a brief history of naturalism in architecture and urban planning which led to the codification of regulations concerning environmental protection and sustainable development. The legal acts support the idea of not only value protection but also of their reconstruction. What is particularly important, the application of the regulations, in consequence, connects care of local nature with protection of cultural identity, becoming a synergic relation. Thus a building surrounded by local natural plants seems to be unique in the world, which raises our hopes of counteracting the homogeneity of world architecture. Such danger is proven by the analysis of the dominating philosophical trends in modern architecture. At the same time, this analysis reveals that all the trends include certain naturalistic features by remaining faithful to natural processes or by, at least, planning elements in a naturalistic way. Similar relations are observable in various trends of art, which proves the high cultural potential of naturalistic landscape modelling. The present work discusses examples of functional relations linking natural and urban structures. It also proves the possibility of creating arrangements consisting of elements of naturalistic character. Such arrangements have special aesthetics whose full perception requires certain background knowledge. It is not easy to understand and appreciate naturalistic arrangements without popularising knowledge of real natural values. Otherwise, many stimulated reactions can be produced beyond the user’s consciousness or they can lose significance. Analogically, the richness of meanings linked with aspects of cultural values could be accessible only to very few. Each aspect discussed is summed up with an appropriate model which indicates the essential features of space modelled in a naturalistic way. The effect of their confrontation is a heuristic model, determining the aims of structures built naturalistically, depending on their local conditions. The organic process of building could be achieved by following the principle of adjusting a designed structure to a wide range of environmental processes happening in the particular area. Local conditions as well as the designer’s own decisions contribute to the implementation of an object in one of the four types defined in terms of their naturalistic reference. They are the following: the natural type – preserving the local natural values to the maximum; the organic type – modelling the features of an object while protecting the local values; the picturesque type – improving appearance of the greenery of an object with a limited care for the ecological values; and the geometric type – expressing free artistic creation. Characteristics of that types enable to define criteria for the indicator of biologically active areas with the possible wide range of relation with local nature system in the town.
- Outline : Characteristic features of naturalism in urban design shown by various models. These models can be use as the goals in naturalistic design. The organic process of building could be achieved by following the principle of adjusting a designed structure to a wide range of environmental processes happening in the particular area. Results are the following depends on the relation to the Nature: the natural type; the organic type; picturesque type and the geometric type. Characteristics of that types enable to define criteria for the indicator of biologically active areas with the possible wide range of relation with local nature system in the town.