What was the Häring's organic architecture about? For him, the most important factor was how he tackled the scheme. While designing, he wouldn’t start from the external form and then move on to the internal, but the other way round: from the interior to the exterior (Le Corbusier would do exactly the opposite 99), in order to
59 Semi-detached house no. 26/27, designed by Theo Effenberger. Fig. Łukasz Magdziarz
arrive at the optimal form matching the functions of a building. The idea was not to assume any form beforehand but to create it as a result of pursuing the given goals. Häring followed the concept of nature’s organic order whose contradiction was, according to him, the geometrical form. He believed that the forms found in nature were ideal for the purpose for which they had been made. The form was the result of the functional processes taking place inside it: the outer construction was only to ”support the shell protecting the function”. Another characteristic feature of organic architecture was its uniqueness and individuality which were in close connection and harmony with the building’s location. A good example of this trend is Scharoun's building. In 1928, he presented
60 Gallery-access block of flats no. 1, designed by Paul Heim and Albert Kempter. Fig. Łukasz Magdziarz
a totally different project which was supposed to be built on the plot where Rading's house stands, to the South of the housing estate. Eventually it was built in the northern part of the estate. This other design was so different from the first one. The first was so closely connected with the surroundings that it could not have been used elsewhere. It was undoubtedly the most exciting building of the exhibition. The large glazing panels and terraces – in the gardens or on the roofs – gave the effect of an interpenetration between the interior and the exterior of Scharoun's house. The external
61 Gallery-access block of flats no. 1, north-west gallery view, 2014. Photography by Natalia and Ernest Dec
form of the house, determined by the interior layout, was highly
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