#2597
Mentioned in 10 episodes

The Timeless Way of Building

Book • 1979
In this book, Christopher Alexander introduces the concept of the 'quality without a name,' arguing that this intangible quality is essential for creating buildings and spaces that feel right to human beings.

The book is part of the Center for Environmental Structure series and lays the foundation for Alexander's subsequent works, including 'A Pattern Language' and 'The Oregon Experiment.

' It emphasizes the importance of aligning building design with the natural and human environment, rejecting mass-manufactured materials, and focusing on individual attention to detail in construction.

The book is written in a unique style, often resembling prose poetry or religious scripture, and includes numerous full-page photo illustrations to support its arguments.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 10 episodes

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Kent Beck
as a book he enjoyed.
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for its insights on building things, applicable to software development.
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as another book by Christopher Alexander, discussing timeless principles of building.
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as a brilliant book that inspired the term "wholehearted".
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as a source of inspiration for creatives about building philosophy.
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as a book that offers different perspectives applicable to business, despite not being a business book itself.
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