A to Z of building your own home… O

OrganicOrganic Architecture is a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world. The term was made famous when Frank Lloyd Wright used it to describe his design process. To be taken in consideration that the word "organic" was never a fundamental catalyst in the definition of the term. The idea of organic architecture often refers not only to the buildings, but it is also related to the literal relationship to the natural surroundings, reflecting the symbiotic ordering systems of nature.The most common misconception is the belief that organic architecture is curved and free of form. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings are not curvilinear, they are very seldom curved and certainly never free of form. When he uses curves, he uses circles, which are noticeably governed by a strict geometry. Each building is a response to its designated program, the specific needs of its occupants, the time in which it is designed, the specific surroundings and qualities of its location. Because each of these conditions will never be identical, each organic building will be unique.In terms of geometry, organic architecture utilizes strong, rational geometry in order to create a comprehensible building that can be understood as a single entity, in spite of the popular belief that free forms are natural. Nature is not free form, it is governed by rules and patterns, and it is by understanding these rules that people feel comfortable in their environment. The rational geometry in organic architecture would then be complemented by the use of natural materials such as wood and stone, because large slick surfaces feel inherently artificial. Oriel WindowsIn architecture, an oriel window is a form of bay window which cantilevers from the main upper wall of a building and is supported by corbels or brackets of stone or wood. It is most commonly used as a feature on the upper floor, but is also sometimes used on the ground floor, however not extending to the soil like bay windows. Regularly, they were often placed over gateways or entrances to manor houses and public buildings during the late Gothic and Tudor periods. Oriel windows first became prevalent early in the 15th century and regained their popularity of making the most of sunlight in northern countries  in the 19th and early 20th centuries.In Arab architecture, the oriel windows are seen in the form of mashrabiya. One of their major purposes is privacy, an essential aspect of Arabic culture, offering a good view of the street whilst preserving the private interior without depriving the occupants seclusion. It is said that oriel windows are ornaments for the rich as it takes  a lot of time and finance to produce them.The oriel windows gave a dramatic appeal to the facade of the building and is one of the most used features adopted  in modern Tudor architecture.