These are the "shadow forms" of earlier materials or designs, which survive into later structures or artifacts. Thus the forms of Doric stone architecture are derived from constructions in wood. Skiamorphs are often the source of ornamentation in design, and as such are extolled by Gordon (1978, p.372) in opposition to functionalism.
The trouble with skiamorphs is discussed in Pre-Dymaxion Architecture.
© Paul Taylor 2001