Naturally informed design: back in harness, the long march or a new territory?

Abstract

The way of dealing with nature as the context of manmade structure has been a matter of dispute during the history of built environment. Two general ways may be potentially taken; ignorance or respectfulness. Focusing on the latter attitude towards the nature, this paper briefly overviews the possible approaches in this way. Then it will try to assess them in a framework which is widely accepted through architectural history to find out the legitimacy of each approach. Drawing an overall view of the naturally-inspired design, then it will have some recommendations for the designers not only in built environment but in other disciplines. The aim hopefully is to help them in having a clearer view about their situation at first stage of design process, their choices and methodologies during it and a perspective about the final products in the end.