The January 2010 issue of the World of Interiors featured a stair that I just couldn't get out of my head; it looked so familiar. The Copenhagen police headquarters is a masterpiece of modern Neoclassicism from the 1920s that contains this gem.
This image looking up towards the skylight finally reminded me of where I had seen this before. Nature! 
The spiral stairs perfectly mimic the shape of a chambered nautilus shell. Does this prove that most beauty is derived from nature? Perhaps not, but it sure is an arguement for the statement!
Photographs from WOI, January 2010 by James Mortimer
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13 comments:
I have scrolled down in your blogpost..many of them:) Thank you for nice pictures and interesting reading about history.
Have a nice day:)
Wonderful images! It's my favour to look beautiful interiors and styles.
Greetings from Uruguay
VINTAGE
I think it has something to do with the 'Golden Ratio' ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio.
What a clever and intuitive person you are! David :-)
LC - you are correct! We learned all about the golden ratio our freshman year of architecture school but I didn't realize it was so widely known :-) Good catch!
Stunning in its complexity, simplicity, & grace.
Very nice comparison. I've enjoyed looking through your blog, for sure. Thanks :)
of course!
you have opened my eyes today with this post. some of the most beautiful objects are a derivative of nature.
debra
Crazy for the Copenhagen Police building-!! It Is the most glorious 30s public building ever built...since sliced bread even its positively to cool for school...and then some!
The golden ratio. Mathematics shows up in so,many ways and certainly in architecture!!
Karena
Art by Karena
You must visit "Shaker town" in Pleasantville KY, my favorite staircase is there. You would love it.
pve
Isn't it wonderful when the images you've stored in your head come together? Beautiful post, brilliant connection. xx
good god - perfection is obtainable
Love how you compare the stairs and the nautilus -- how cool. Thanks for all these lessons in classical architecture. Now, I will go look up the Golden Ratio...
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