Below are two examples of athroisis. The first is a building designed by Antonini Darmon called Arches Boulogne. The images are available here at ArchDaily. I found the following quote very instructive with regards to Fractal Design:
The width of these balconies varies according to their orientation; they are narrower to the north thus maximizing illumination. However to the South, East and West the arches provide shade against natural overheating in summer.
Athroisis is an effect. The causes are multiple, just as in nature. In this case, while the intent was to vary the lighting, the result is still a clustering of pillars. In nature, plants can cluster together for a variety of reasons. A rhizome may branch out in specific, yet unpredictable ways. A plant may send its seeds out in the same unpredictable way that still reveals a pattern.
The second building Is the Estonian Vallner Lasnamäe Track and Field Center, located in the outskirts of Tallinn, where the area is filled with Soviet Era apartment blocks made of prefabricated concrete panels. I think it is interesting that the highly regulated Soviet complex is softened by the warm, rich and brown columns. Ivy will eventually cover the building, adding an even more natural ambience.
The wild ivy is to cover the building gradually during next two decades, which shall provide greenery in this area where has very little. The face of the building will always change its appearance in a slow speed, representing steady and slow process of physical training.