In his book Form Follows Nature, Rudolf Finsterwalder explores the vast cosmos of nature and its significance for human creativity in various disciplines. One very direct way of learning from nature is bionics, in which something directly from nature is converted into technology. A well-known example is the Velcro fastener or sharkskin, the principle of which is used for swimming costumes. The architect and engineer Frei Otto studied nature and its laws intensively. Very different things such as mussels and shells, but also phenomena such as self-forming processes in soap bubbles were the subject of research for him and his institute. Optimisations in growth, for example inside a bone, served as a lesson in engineering design and sustainable construction. The lecture will show some facets of the book using impressive images from the archives of Frei Otto, Carsten Nicolai, FinsterwalderArchitekten and others and invite the audience to engage with them.

The event will be in German.