Taking inspiration from nature, architect Ma Yansong designs breathtaking buildings that break free from the boxy symmetry of so many modern cities. His exuberant and graceful work – from a pair of curvy skyscrapers that “dance” with each other to an opera house that looks like a snow-capped mountain – shows us the beauty of architecture that defies norms. Watch Ma Yansong talk about nature-inspired architecture.

“Nature is by far the richest source of inspiration and knowledge that we have.” Dr Rupert Soar

Obviously, Ma Yansong is not the only architect who takes inspiration from nature. Over the course of architectural history, many designers and architects where inspired by nature and its beauty, efficiency and wisdom.

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Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid DBE RA (Arabic: زها حديد‎ Zahā Ḥadīd; 31 October 1950 – 31 March 2016) was an Iraqi–British architect. In 2004, Zaha was the first woman architect to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize. She also received the UK’s most prestigious architectural award, the Stirling Prize, in 2010 and 2011. Her bold architectural designs are famous for curves and daring, futuristic shapes. She was often called the Queen of Curves. Curves are considered favourable in feng shui and most recent research suggests that humans prefer curves over the straight (cutting chi) lines.

The Capital Hill Residence 
Watch this video about The Capital Hill Residence which was the only private residence designed by Zaha Hadid, that was built in her lifetime (in Barvikha forest, three kilometres west of Moscow). Vladislav Doronin, Russian businessman, art collector and philanthropist, explains what was behind the process of designing and building his home with Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher describes why the Capital Hill Residence adds to the architectural legacy of Dame Hadid.