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Last edited 18 Jul 2023

Biomorphism

Biomorphism is a term that describes design solutions that reference different elements from life and nature in their shape or form, sometime also referred to as organic. It differs from biophillia, which describes the tendency of humans to want to interact with the nature or biomimicry which takes holistic inspiration from the design and engineering of nature at different scales. Biomorphism refers mainly to form as opposed to the types of materials used or the way designs develop.

The Biomimicry Institute describes the difference between biomorphism and biomimicry as being;

"Biomorphism refers to designs that visually resemble elements from life (they “look like” nature), whereas biomimetic designs focus on function (they “work like” nature). Biomorphic designs can be very beautiful and beneficial, in part because humans have a natural affinity for nature and natural forms. But it’s important to realize that “looking like” nature is not a reliable indicator of biomimetic design because a biomimetic design might or might not look anything like the organisms that inspired it. Rather, the important indicator is function."

The term biomorphism, appears to have been used increasingly from around the 1940's, it is said to have first appeared in a catalogue from the Museum of Modern Art, and coined by the then director Alfred H. Barr to describe abstract art works that rejected rigid structures to resemble organic shapes and curves. The word itself derives from the Greek words bios meaning life and morphe meaning form. It is an approach formed the basis of the architecture and design movements such as, Art Nouveau as well as elements of the surrealist movement, featuring imorphus objects.

Early proponents of what might have been termed as biomorphism but also referred to as organic architecture might include Antoni Gaudí. In art and painting Joan Miró and Yves Tanguy, whilst in sculptural works Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. More recently the work of Architects such as Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry have had their work described as being biomorphic.