Christopher Alexander 1977

Title: A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction

Author: Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa & Murray Silverstein with Max Jacobson, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King & Shlomo Angel

Year: 1977

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Note: Book Two of Three, Christopher Alexander's Theory of Architecture

Summary

This text describes 253 different patterns that are necessary, in the view of the authors, for sustainable and positive living on our planet. Each pattern is described in terms of the conflict that exists in society and a proposed solution. The patterns describe a multitude of facets of human life, including:

• Patterns for political regions and managing bureaucracy
• Patterns on urban and country planning
• Patterns on the necessary state for human interaction and developing culture
• Patterns on societal groupings, learning and working
• Patterns on social interaction
• Patterns on mobility, roading networks and transportation
• Patterns on green areas, central urban areas
• Patterns on household groupings, house design & placement
• Patterns on the layout of a household and garden design

Other interesting points

• Shakespeare is quoted
• It is quite clear to see the origins of the Extreme programming (148,152,157,183)
• There are very vague connections with certain design patterns: (194 - Observer, 110,130 - Facade, 98 - Composite, 204 - Encapsulation boundary)

Additional Resources

• A Pattern Language - This page summarises all of the patterns in the text.
  • For those involved in the Taxi-Bus project, I draw your attention to pattern number 20.
  • Number 57 is cute. I approve of 63. 94 provides a refreshing change from modern society.
• Wikipedia Article

See also

• Christopher Alexander
• Christopher Alexander 1979 - The Timeless Way of Building