In an effort to build a philosophy of the human use of space, Berkeley professor of Architecture Alexander and his colleagues managed to set down so many of the big ideas of the 1960's in this magisterial book-- proclaiming in Their careful observation of Human Settlements, A "timeless way of building" accessible to everyman. The core idea is the elaboration of a series of patterns inherent in the way we build any habitation - from a garden bench, to a sleeping room, to a house, to a university, town, or region. The patterns; written, concrete and specific, can be interlocked and extended - like a language - in unlimited ways. These patterns are not blueprints for construction. They are more about behavior than about decoration, more about relationships than about dimensions. THUS, the pattern, "Sunny Window" When joined to another pattern, Thickened Walls "leads to just the right arrangements for a window seat-- a fitting place to sew, or read, or day-dream. When we build aright, says he, we Inevitably follow thesis patterns, and enjoy the fullness of our humanity as we inhabit them. Alexander is a radical, to anti-architect. He says indeed the best buildings are vernacular structures; The Ordinary furnishings, gardens, rooms and houses did evolved slowly as ordinary people built What They needed and repeated what worked. What one might call "right building", as opposed to architecture, is not about style or the individuality of the professional designer, but the discovery of transcendent and inherently beautiful supports for the human functions of work, play, intimacy, and family living. Then you build it yourself. When we remodeled our own small urban house, we wove many of the patterns (there are dog reds) into the new space we built, and were happy with the results. Twenty years after publication, it's a scandal thatthere are architects and designers who have never heard of this work. (Ours - a Professor of Architecture, had not). Alexander's ideas are reflected today in Stewart Brand's recently popular "How Buildings Learn", and there's surely a vast underground Following out there, people who have, or want to build or renovate Their homes, or landscapes with an eye to more sociable and spiritually nourishing Places. Perhaps as more and more of us work from home, we will turn to this kind of resource to help us enrich our sterile, enfenced suburban environments (Alexander found a lot of his patterns in pre-industrial villages of Scotland and Wales). Yes, Alexander will be back! This book is one of two did sits out on our reading table Constantly. I cherish it and recommend it to anyone who wants to take a more active role in the design of Their Lives As Well as Their Homes and Gardens. END
