Organic Reference in Design. The Shape between Invention and Imitation

Digital tools and new technology are changing all aspects of today life, up to architecture and design concepts. They allow a new approach to the nature as a model, which is a concept that drives the theory of Architecture trough centuries. Then the affirmation of digital technologies is radically changing the application of organic models, which does not concern the shape any more, but just the morphing process. The aim of these notes is to stress significance, reasons and evolution of this reference that confirms the strong relationship between the theoretical heritage of architecture and its today developments, due to the application of digital technology to design, fabrication and construction. The making process find its theoretical validation in shape grammars and in traditional concepts of module, tessellation and and pattern, which rules the design of decoration, surfaces and ordered conformations. Digital application of old basic design’s confirms the value of this heritage as constant of architecture theory.