image via Lisa Town

There’s no doubt about it, the human body is an infinite source of design inspiration and the spine is often at the core. By tipping, twisting and bending the spinal form, the designer can achieve interesting forms that can range from buildings to furnishings.

In the annual skyscraper design competition from eVolo, one submission found inspiration from the human body in a twisting spinal skyscraper with floors splaying outward from the core like platelettes.

image via eVolo

In the Casa Milá in Barcelona, Antoni Gaudí may have used a curving spine and ribs, like the photo I took above, to come up with his amazing series of differing archways that curve around through the attic.

image via Lisa Town

A wooden staircase designed by Patrick Jouin uses the spine to create a sleek spiral staircase with the steps flowing out from the spinal core. It uses a modular design that is then used to create a flowing, cantilevered sequence followed by curving rails that seem to float around the staircase.

images via doornob