Everything about Pattern Architecture totally explained
Pattern in architecture is the idea of capturing
architectural design ideas as archetypal and reusable descriptions. The term "pattern" is usually attributed to
Christopher Alexander, an Austrian born
American architect. The patterns serve as an aid to design
cities and
buildings. The concept of having collections of "patterns", or typical samples as such, is much older. One can think of these collections as forming a
pattern language, whereas the elements of this language may be combined, governed by certain rules.
Alexander's idea of patterns
Alexander's patterns seek to provide a source of proven
ideas for individuals and communities to use in constructing their living and
working environment. As such their aim is both
aesthetic and
political: to show how beautiful, comfortable and flexible built environments can be constructed, and to enable those people who will inhabit those environments to challenge any
solution forced upon them.
A pattern records the design decisions taken by many builders in many places over many years in order to resolve a particular problem. Alexander describes a problem in terms of the so-called
forces that act in it, and the
solution is said to resolve those forces.
Pattern language
Patterns may be collected together into a
pattern language that addresses a particular domain. A large body of patterns was published by Alexander and his collaborators as
A Pattern Language. The patterns in that book were intended to enable communities to construct and modify their own
homes,
workplaces,
towns and
cities.
Other than Alexander's own projects, few building projects have tried to use Alexander's patterns. Those that have, have met a mixed responses from other architects and builders, architectural critics and users. Alexander has come to believe that patterns themselves are not enough, and that one needs a
"morphogenetic" understanding of the formation of the built environment; he's published his ideas in the four-volume work
The Nature of Order.
While the pattern language idea has so far had limited impact in the building industry, it has had a profound influence on many workers in the
information technology industry.
Further Information
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