# Leafy Office Facades This Nature-Inspired Exterior is Carved Out to Resemble Plant Life By David Ingram | Published 2015-09-01 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natureinspired References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/eastern-design-office-villa-saitan-kyoto-japan-08-28-2015/) & [easterndesignoffice](http://www.easterndesignoffice.com/home/project/p03_saitan) Architectural firm [EASTERN](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eastern-algarve) design office has created a [housing complex in Kyoto](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/element-house), Japan with a [nature-inspired concrete exterior](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neville-park-residence). Made to resemble the leaves, bulbs and stems of a plant, the 'Villa Saitan' features a concrete exterior that almost completely surrounds the hidden interior. The only glimpse given to the outside world is the carved out curves that bring to mind a minimalist imagining of the organic plant structure. The entrance to the building itself includes an inner pathway to the adjacent street and closely resembles a curved plant stem. The various nature-inspired leaves and bulbs carved into the facade allow natural light to filter into the complex, and help to complete the overall theme of this understated design that connects man-made architecture with mother nature. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/eastern-design-office-villa-saitan-kyoto-japan-08-28-2015/), [easterndesignoffice](http://www.easterndesignoffice.com/home/project/p03_saitan) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Nature-inspired Architecture:** The trend of incorporating natural elements and organic forms into architectural designs, like the leafy exterior of Villa Saitan, creates opportunities for creating visually striking and sustainable structures. - **Minimalist Design:** The minimalist approach to the Villa Saitan's exterior design showcases the trend of simplifying and reducing elements to their essential form, which can inspire innovative and sleek building designs. - **Integration of Light:** The use of carved out curves and nature-inspired cutouts to allow natural light to filter into the complex reflects the trend of integrating light as a design element, presenting opportunities for energy-efficient and visually captivating architecture. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** The architecture industry can explore the trend of nature-inspired designs to create sustainable and aesthetically pleasing structures. - **Construction:** The construction industry can adapt minimalist design principles to streamline building processes and create visually striking and efficient structures. - **Lighting:** The lighting industry can innovate to meet the demand for integrated light solutions in architectural designs, providing energy-efficient options that enhance the visual appeal of buildings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touching-eden-house.md) - [Plant-Covered Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/villa-kd45.md) - [Leaf-Inspired Countryside Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leaf-house-1.md) - [Minimalist Concrete Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residential-project-in-tokyo.md) - [Green Roof-Topped Circular Villas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-villa.md) - [Bamboo-Clad Residential Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/open-park-villa.md) - [Plant-Centric Dynamic Office Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garden-of-edyn.md) - [Valley-Inspired Offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kitaoka-group-office.md) - [Exposed Concrete Stealthy Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/villa-eternal-way.md)