

#1413
Mentioned in 19 episodes
A pattern language
Towns, Buildings, Construction
Book • 1977
This book, written by Christopher Alexander and his colleagues, introduces the concept of a 'pattern language' consisting of 253 patterns that address various design problems in architecture, urban planning, and community design.
Each pattern describes a recurring problem and its solution, allowing readers to adapt these solutions to their specific needs and local conditions.
The book is structured to help ordinary people, as well as professionals, design and improve their homes, streets, and communities.
It has had significant influence on fields beyond architecture, including software engineering and urban planning.
Each pattern describes a recurring problem and its solution, allowing readers to adapt these solutions to their specific needs and local conditions.
The book is structured to help ordinary people, as well as professionals, design and improve their homes, streets, and communities.
It has had significant influence on fields beyond architecture, including software engineering and urban planning.
Mentioned by


















Mentioned in 19 episodes
Mentioned by 

as the author of "A Pattern Language."


Michael Dean

791 snips
Michael Dean: The 27 Patterns To Fix Bad Writing | How I Write
Mentioned by 

as a work that breaks architecture down to primitive geometries and patterns.


Michael Dean

146 snips
Michael Dean — The Architecture of Essays (EP.281)
Mentioned by 

as an inspiration for his essay architecture framework.


Michael Dean

76 snips
#133: Michael Dean – The Invisible Patterns Behind Great Essays: How Essay Architecture Can Shape Your Writing and Break Through Perfectionism.
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because Patrick Hollison admires Christopher Alexander and takes a lot of inspiration from him.

Tamara Winter

50 snips
23: Tamara Winter - Tacit Trust & Caring Curiosity
Mentioned by 

as an example of someone who encouraged aiming for greatness in one's work.


Nabeel Qureshi

40 snips
Nabeel Qureshi: Principles For Living
Recommended by 

as a book on design principles applicable to software engineering.


Kent Beck

29 snips
Kent Beck Reflects on Tidy First?
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as a concept based on emotional, sensory, and tonal cues.

Darren Glencross

24 snips
110 New Neurodivergence Model
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as a series of books built on the idea of languages in architecture to build modern towns.

Nadia Idle

18 snips
ACFM Microdose: Gardening
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as an author who emphasizes the innate human sense of quality in design.

Amit Paul

18 snips
256. Kasper Bjorkskov - shifting the building industry, transformation through action and biodiversity
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in the context of architectural patterns and decision-making.

Andrew Harmel-Law

12 snips
Facilitating Software Architecture • Andrew Harmel-Law & Sonya Natanzon
Mentioned by 

in relation to designing systems around human behavior.


Paul Orlando

12 snips
Complex systems & second-order effects (Interview)
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to explain a phenomenon where design patterns help experienced people but might hinder beginners.

Eric Normand

The Christopher Alexander Effect
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when discussing design patterns in built environments that correlate with human flourishing.

Deb Roy

Alexis Ohanian and Deb Roy on Big Tech’s Effects on Democracy
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for its architectural theories and connection to environmental serendipity and phenomenology.

Andrea Hiott

#29: Pattern Language, Wholeness and Place-synergy: discussing Christopher Alexander with geographer David Seamon
Mentioned when discussing the importance of common land for social systems to survive, referencing a quote from the book.

Beating the Loneliness Epidemic, One Step at a Time
Mentioned as one of the two classic books by Christopher Alexander, even for software.

Episode 139: Fearless Change with Linda Rising
Mentioned by Shrita when discussing the quality of good building and the satisfaction it brings.

Ep 1.5: Everyday Aesthetics with Simon Sarris
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in relation to the pattern of multiple downtowns in Montclair, referencing the book's recommendations on urban design.

Tiffany Owens-Reed

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Improving Downtown Success by Building Experiences
Mentioned by Mia Winther-Tamaki as a reference for understanding pattern language in urban planning.

Season 8. Ep. - 5 - Governance W/ Ethan, Mia & Will
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a well-known book from architect and theorist Christopher Alexander.

Kenzie Cooperrider

How nature restores the mind