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A Pattern Language

Towns, Buildings, Construction (Center for Environmental Structure Series)

By Christopher Alexander

(21)

| Hardcover | 9780195019193

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Book Description

"Brilliant....Here's how to design or redesign any space you're living or working in--from metropolis to room. Consider what you want to happen in the space, and then page through this book. Its radically conservative observations will spark, enhance, organize your best ideas, and a wondrous home, Continue

4 Reviews

1 person find this helpful

Yeah, OK, it's a book about architecture. You know, buildings and stuff. I don't think there's a single mention of computers in the whole book. I bought it because I'm interested in architecture. Then I noticed something: almost everything in the book can be applied to the work we do as software des ... (continue)

Yeah, OK, it's a book about architecture. You know, buildings and stuff. I don't think there's a single mention of computers in the whole book. I bought it because I'm interested in architecture. Then I noticed something: almost everything in the book can be applied to the work we do as software designers. For example, the splash screen in CityDesk is based on the highly influential pattern of Zen View. Dave Winer's Radio Userland appeals to people because it follows the pattern of Windows Overlooking Life. Software that understands the Hierarchy of Space pattern is easier to comprehend.
A similar and somewhat short-lived movement was fashionable in programming a few years ago; I think the patterns movement in programming never quite took off because it was an attempt to copy the form of this book rather than the wisdom of this book.

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J.S. (testing) said on Oct 20, 2005 | Add your feedback

An essential book for anybody interested in the field. I read it cover to cover, very slowly with breaks and now I feel I have some grasp of what it takes to build a house.
It is of course dated and highly geared towards North American houses but it's still a seminal work. The parts on urbanism are ... (continue)

An essential book for anybody interested in the field. I read it cover to cover, very slowly with breaks and now I feel I have some grasp of what it takes to build a house.
It is of course dated and highly geared towards North American houses but it's still a seminal work. The parts on urbanism are in fact how we in CNW Europe do manage things, so that is heartening.
Extensions to the book for instance how to build houses in very space constrained environments like the Netherlands could be interesting.
What is annoying is how much of today's buildings are not aligned with the patterns in this book. I recommend policy makers and architects to be thumped with this tome on a regular basis.

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alper said on Jun 29, 2010 | Add your feedback