"ART IS T H E IMITATION OF N A T U R E 
I N H E R M A N N E R OF OPERATION" 
An examination of the implications of 
the above statement in Architecture. 
cjo"s>a))(§cs 
The Dissertation presented to 
the faculty o f Architecture o f University o f Moratuwa.Sii Lanka, 
for the final Examination in M.Sc.(Architecture) 
June, 1997. 
7 2 t(en'* 
-y 2 . o i 
C O N T E N T S 
Page 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT I 
ABSTRACT II 
INTRODUCTION 1 
a) Topic Explanation 
b) Intention of the study 
c) Methodology 
d) Scope and Limitations 
CHAPTER O N E 3 
l.Architecture and its Determinants 
1.1 Socio cultural Determinants 3 
1.1.1 Religion 3 
1.1.2 Mydis 6 
1.1.3 Cultures 8 
1.2 Physical Determinants 11 
1.2.1 Climate 11 
1.2.2 Function 12 
1.2.3 Nature 14 
CHAPTER TWO 17 
2. Nature and Architecture 
2.1 Nature as a Determinant 18 
2.1.1 Western attitude to nature 20 
2.1.2 Eastern attitude to nature 21 
2.2 Aesthetic aspects of nature 23 
2.2.1 Visual aspects 26 
2.2.2 Symbolic aspects 28 
2.3 The attributes of nature 30 
2.3.1 Volume 30 
2.3.2 Scale and Proportion 32 
2.3.3 Balance 33 
2.3.4 Rhythm 35 
2.3.5 Hierarchy 38 
2.3.6 Transformation _ 39 
C H A P T E R T H R E E 41 
3. Nature , the manner of operation 
3.1 The manner o f operation 41 
3.1.1 Creation 41 
3.1.2 Composit ion 44 
3.1.3 Experience 46 
3.2 Architecture in imitat ion nature in her manner of operation. 
Case studies: 47 
3.2.1 Arizona in Talcsian West 47 
3.2.1.1 Creation 48 
3.2.1.2 Composit ion 50 
3.2.1.3 Experience 50 
3.2.2 Falling Water 53 
3.2.2.1 Creation 53 
3.2.2.2 Composition] 55 
3.2.2.3 Experience 56 
3.2.3 Kandalama Hotel at Kandalama 
3.2.3.1 Creation 
3.2.3.2 Composition! 
3.2.3.3 Experience 
3.2.4 Integral Education at Pilipndala 
3.2.4.1. Creation 
3.2.4.2. Composition 
3.2.4.3. Experience 
3.2.5 Triton Hotel at Ahungalla 
3.2.5.1. Creation 
3.2.5.2. Composition 
3.2.5.3. Experience 
CONCLUSION 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
Let me record here my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one mentioned below for 
their help to make this dissertation success. 
To Archt:Vidura Sri Nammuni, Senior lecturer Department of Architecture, Who 
gave me a freedom to pursue a different subject area with his comments and criticisms which 
immensely to built up confidence. 
To Professor:Nimal De Silva who was generous in maiding constructive comments 
and suggestions. 
To Archt: Vijitha Basnayaka and Kapila Darmesena for thoughtful arrangement of 
subject matter and guidance in numerous way. 
To Archt:Geffery Bawa's office staff and Archt:Channa Daswaththa 
who gave me their valuable time to conversation about some case studies in 
dissertation. 
To Keerthi for his patient help encouragement given, sharing of hard work and of 
course finding me with relevant books. 
To my friends Srinika,Roshini,Priyani, Champa.Nalaka and Upul malli to giving their 
valuable time to sharing my works. 
To uncles Dharmasena ,Senasinghc and Aunt Leela to their kind helps given. 
At last but not least I am heardy thankful to my parents ,and family members for kindly 
making silent assistance. 
Finally to nature die source of inspired me in writing this. 
1 
"Imitation of nature should mean 
understanding and imitating the laws 
of nature, not its form" 
Anthony C. Antoniades (1992 :P 248) 
ABSTRACT 
It is only a question of opening our eyes to the extra ordinary world 
around us. Nature has been lavish in good design. It is therefore us to 
see, exposed in full mew, within our reach at all times, without even 
movingfrom where we are." 
Paul Jacques Grillio (1960: p9) 
So many channels in the world give way to design buildings in harmony within nature most of 
the design buildings do not go hand in hand with nature. The main problem is, when designing 
the "essence" of nature has not been captured in architecture. Everything is created according 
to the principles of nature. So, why should it not happen in die architectural world ? This 
phenomena can be understood by making it exposed full view to the surrounding environment, 
fauna and flora. That is the main channel that would direct us to the correct path. 
Man interpreted diis inspiration as an intelligent understanding of nature radicr than a 
perceptible understanding of it. Those experience studies of surrounding environment give way 
to create architecture in harmony with nature, widi out simply having superficial imitation.. 
Tliis indicates the observation which was made by Ananada . K . Coomaraswamy in 
"Traditional Art and Symbolism". Aft imitates nature in her manner of operation that 
statement can be implied to architecture to understand die trudi of the design with nature.