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- Beware of the Box Police!
Beware of the Box Police!
Tiny Insights from the Countryside.
No.055 — Read old posts on Tinyfarmlab.com
Reading Time 4 minutes
Architecture students are trained to translate imaginative, fluid spatial diagrams into rigid, rectilinear rooms for “convenience.”
But for whose convenience?
Industries producing toxic materials in 8 x 4 sheets?
Bankers funding only modular homes?
Computer-aided software that limits creativity?
55 “ Idiot box?
The truth is, that much of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry is designed to sustain itself rather than the environment or its inhabitants.
Curves, Not Cubes
“Most architects, developers, and officials are part of a giant, tacit conspiracy to fill one another’s pockets at the expense of our homes and planet.” — You may have thought this yourself!
What is the cost of this standardized building system?
Rectilinear, modular dimensions imposed by the convenience of industrially processed building components.
Yet, in nature, there are no straight lines.
From the contours of the human body to the flowing form of trees,
biological shapes are soft, fluid, and curved.
Why then, are we forced to build in boxes?
Natural building materials like cob gives you the sculptural freedom to break the box. You are no longer constrained by rectangular blocks or designing in multiples of two feet.
Curved Spaces are stronger
From primitive indigenous tribes to ancient Romans, curved architecture has been at the heart of strong and flexible structures across cultures.
It’s more than aesthetic – these organic shapes create strength and adaptability.
Curved Spaces Feel Bigger
The curved architecture feels larger.
It’s a phenomenon many experience, yet struggle to explain.
A curved mud house gives a sense of openness, flow, and harmony. These spaces aren’t just practical but evoke a deep emotional resonance.
Curves evoke emotions and comfort
Curves inspire feelings of warmth and safety. Just as the hills, rivers, and bodies of nature curve effortlessly, so too can our homes.
Curved homes have been scientifically shown to reduce stress levels, create an atmosphere of comfort, and enhance well-being.
According to a 2013 study, people find curved spaces more beautiful than their boxy counterparts.
And with 90% of our time spent indoors, shouldn’t we create environments that nurture rather than restrict us?
Casa Organica (Michaela Tremble)
Architecture is Our Second Skin
We wouldn’t choose to wear a box.
Why should we live in one?
Architecture should do more than function.
It should lift our spirits, reflect our inner selves, and bring life to the spaces we inhabit.
When comparing the built environment around us – homes, windows, doorways – ask yourself:
Which has more life?
At Tiny Farm Lab, we believe in breaking free from the confines of the box.
We help our clients design whimsical, curvilinear mud homes that celebrate nature and the essence of living.
Let us know your thoughts on this post by replying to this email :)
Love,
Raghav and Ansh
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What you can watch - In Residence: Eduardo Neira, Roth | The Mexican house cut from nature
AZULIK Residence is the home of Eduardo Neira, Roth, and is nestled in the same compound as AZULIK UH MAY, an interdisciplinary center for art and culture located 2.5 km northeast of Tulum in the village of Francisco Uh May. Here, one can find macrame, ceramics, fashion, and glass workshops organically ensconced within the Mayan jungle.
What you can listen to - Organic Architecture: A Conversation with Javier Senosiain
Javier Senosiain is a Mexican architect best known for his explorations of the interrelationship between natural and built environments.
What You Can Read - FREE FORM: THE ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE OF JAVIER SENOSIAIN
“ In 1985, after years of researching bioarchitecture and freeform design, Mexican architect Javier Senosiain set out to build his first project: a one-bedroom, peanut-shaped home set partially underground on a grassy hillside. Senosiain’s goal was to create spaces that completely embrace the human body, adapting to its scale and morphology without taking any notice of conventional preconceptions about what a proper house should look like. “
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