Today I would like to introduce you a pair of the best examples of XX century's organicist architecture. First of all, we need to think that they're are quite different each other, not only geographically but also conceptually. The work of Moshe Safdie in the outskirts of Montreal, Habitat 67, shows a totally different idea from that of Hundertwasser in Vienna. Of course, there's a considerable chronological period between their projects, but apart from forms, similarities could be more than expected.
Hundertwasser's House is a highlight of Vienna's city profile. Against all classical conceptions such as the Austrian parliament, or Jugendstil's works, with that typical white façade and an apparent simplicity, Hundertwasserhaus arises as an alien within all this white urban jungle. The building, finished as late as 1985 (almost contemporary to the Safdie's work), looks like a clown's house, but it's just a very irregular and colorful façade, the interiors are well organized, and it's must be looked on as an artistic work, not as a serious architectonical attempt. Anyway, the trees over the roof contribute to show a very natural image.
As for Safdie's work the discourse is the country. Habitat 67 is a top of architectural engineering. The housing cubics, on a high independently way from each other, marking out the forms from outside, build an structure with a clear organic heritage, surrounded by private communal gardens, and in front of the city's lake's shore. The work was conceived for his degree thesis, and presented later as a proposal for a pavilion for the Expo 67. And again, plants and little trees over the roof. Le Corbusier never dies.
