"From the earliest days of human civilisation, man has taken inspiration and design guidance from structures found in nature. From the snail's shell, to an arch work away in the cliffs by the pounding of the sea, many of the shapes and forms that we use to create our own structures have their roots in the natural world. This book makes a comparative study of the engineering principles of natural and human constructions and offers a design approach arising from natural tenets. Bringing us back to local history, tradition, and cultural roots, organic architecture produces built forms which are in harmony with nature. International examples show how architects use different locations and climates to inform specific biological forms and techniques in their work"--Inside front flap.