Natural structure in the man-made environment

Summary The paper contains examples of design elements and natural symmetries that have appeared and are now being used in man-made works. The pleasing principles of symmetric structures have been shown in examples of architectural ornament, planning of towns and university campuses. These same symmetries are shown to give coherence to the growth of forms in nature. The paper further discusses how different artists have arrived at their particular choices of natural symmetries to be used whether in planning, architectural structures, town clusters or painting. Dr Arthur L. Loeb was born in The Netherlands and was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University, where he took a doctorate in Chemical Physics. Through his research contact with Gyorgy Kepes, M. C. Escher and R. Buckminster Fuller, he has been able to embrace the whole spectrum of design. He is a sculptor and painter, and has great interest in music. His 40 or so publications show his expertize as well as his exceptional ability in combining the compatible aspects of the arts and the sciences. His present position is Head Tutor at the Department of Visual and Environmental Studies, and Curator of the Teaching Collection in the Carpenter Center, Harvard University.