Go BackDesign and Construction is one Integrated Making Process
The design process of a project and its construction process are united into one continuous and intertwined making process, unfolding in a step-by-step sequence. Design ends together with the completion of the construction process.
"Making" is a conception of the construction of a building which allows that the feedback, obtained constantly from the actions and experience of shaping the whole, provide feedback and guidance to the builders who then modify what they are shaping in accordance with the feedback just received.
The major consequence of this process is that the architect must also be a builder, and depending on the scale and engineering complexity of the project, the architect is asked to define the extent of the minimum required involvement in the actual construction process, which extends beyond the normal architectural control on a project. As an example, to undertake the construction of specialty works in a project, which would help in enhancing the wholeness and life of the building, and over which there is full control and responsibility.
Areas of focus:
Design and Building Process
Guiding idea:
Construction Process
Thoughts and Arguments Explored and Developed
The architect builder – The architect as a maker
The builder’s yard
Design decisions are best made when using in parallel and sequentially, all different means available, like sketching, rough small scale models, large scale models, drawings, mock-ups, testing techniques in the actual building site
Cardboard mock-ups in full scale, is a useful tool –much more than drawings– to test shapes and dimensions of building components
Finding and finetuning the right shape and right dimensions of each component during the time of its making, according to its position in the whole and according to the contribution it makes to the whole
The importance of detailing to the nearest tenth of an inch
Working on integrated wholes
The balance of rough and smooth
References
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The Timeless Way of Building
1979
Authors:Christopher AlexanderPublisher:Oxford University Press, New York, NY, U.S.A.No of pages:552 pp“The Timeless Way of Building” is the opening work in “The Center for Environmental Structure Series” on architecture published by Oxford University Press. Here Alexander introduces the ideas behind the succeeding books. The book lays the foundation of the series. It ...
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The Linz Café, Das Linz Café
1981
Authors:Christopher AlexanderPublisher:Oxford University Press, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Löcker Verlag, Vienna, AustriaNo of pages:95 pp“The Linz Café”, a bilingual book, both in German and English, is the fourth in “The Center for Environmental Structure Series” on architecture published by Oxford University Press. The book describes the application of the theory to a single building commissioned by ... -
Christopher Alexander - The Search for a New Paradigm in Architecture
1983
Authors:Stephen GrabowPublisher:Oriel Press Ltd. (Routledge Kegan Paul, PLC), Stocksfield, U.K.No of pages:306 ppDr. Stephen Grawbow, Director of the Architecture Program at the University of Kansas, had been closely associated with Alexander and, in full collaboration with him, has produced a biographical and philosophical study, which examines the development of Alexander’s ideas, from ...
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The Production of Houses
1985
Authors:Christopher Alexander, Howard Davis, Julio Martinez, Don CornerPublisher:Oxford University Press, New York, NY, U.S.A.No of pages:383 ppThe fifth volume in “The Center for Environmental Structure Series” on architecture published by Oxford University Press, “The Production of Houses” puts Alexander’s theories to the test and shows what sort of production system can create the kind of environment Alexander ...
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The Nature of Order - An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Two - The Process of Creating Life
2002
Authors:Christopher AlexanderPublisher:The Center for Environmental Structure Publishing, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.No of pages:636 pp“The Process of Creating Life”, the second volume of “The Nature of Order” series presents a dynamic theory of living structure. It begins with an analysis of transformations, which occur in nature, and the distinction between structure-preserving transformations, responsible for ...
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The Nature of Order - An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three - A Vision of a Living World
2005
Authors:Christopher AlexanderPublisher:The Center for Environmental Structure Publishing, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.No of pages:697 pp“A Vision of a Living World”, the third volume of “The Nature of Order” series, presents, for the first time, a full spectrum of Alexander’s and CES built and unbuilt works. The book describes hundreds of buildings, plans, neighborhoods, drawings, ...
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The Battle for the Life and Beauty of the Earth - A Struggle between Two World-Systems
2012
Authors:Christopher Alexander, Hansjoachim Neis, Maggie Moore AlexanderPublisher:Oxford University Press, New York, NY, U.S.A.No of pages:505 ppThe ninth and last volume of “The Center for Environmental Structure Series” on architecture published by Oxford University Press is the “The Battle for the Life and Beauty of the Earth – A Struggle between Two World-Systems”. The book puts ...
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Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 16 / Concrete Wall Details
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Two – The Process of Creating LifePages:588-590 -
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 18 / Start of Construction
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 19 / The Retaining Wall
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 20 / Management Agreement that Feeling Must Guide Even the Most Technical Aspects of Construction
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 21 / Setting the Main-Floor Level
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 22 / Excavation
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 23 / Fine-Tuning the Plan as we Fix Forms for the Foundation Walls
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Two – The Process of Creating LifePages:591-596 -
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 25 / Placing and Fine-Tuning First-Floor Rooms
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 26 / Making and Placing the First-Floor Wall
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 27 / Fixing the Living Room: Its Doors and Fireplace and Windows
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 28 / Remaking Other First-Floor Rooms
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 29 / Completing the First-Floor Structure
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 30 / Pouring and Forming the Garage
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 31 / Getting the Entrance Path Just Right
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 32 / Remaking the Upstairs Rooms
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 33 / The Master Bed Alcove
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Two – The Process of Creating LifePages:600-612 -
Appendix. A Small Example of a Living Process, 34 / The Kitchen Fireplace Shape
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Two – The Process of Creating LifePages:612-613 -
Chapter 15. All Building as Making: 10 / Working on Integrated Wholes
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three – A Vision of a Living WorldPages:506-507 -
Chapter 15. All Building as Making, 12 / Wabi-to-Sabi: The balance of Rough and Smooth
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three – A Vision of a Living WorldPages:508-514 -
Chapter 15. All Building as Making, 4 / The Most Basic Feature of Living Structure
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three – A Vision of a Living WorldPages:486-488 -
Chapter 15. All Building as Making, 6 / The Social Philosophy of Making
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three – A Vision of a Living WorldPages:493-495 -
Chapter 15. All Building as Making, 7 / The Nearest Tenth of an Inch
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three – A Vision of a Living WorldPages:495-499 -
Chapter 15. All Building as Making, 8 / Detailed Shape and Size of Capitals at Back-of-the-Moon
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three – A Vision of a Living WorldPages:499-501 -
Chapter 15. All Building as Making, 9 / Money and Contracts
Publication,Book title:
The Nature of Order – An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe.
Book Three – A Vision of a Living WorldPages:501-505
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User Designed Apartment Building
1974 to
1975
St.Quentin-en-Yvelines, Paris , FranceResidential, Designed , Not builtClient:French Ministry of Housing - Francois ChoayC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Walter V. WendlerProject stages:Preliminary Design Construction ScheduleDesign and construction of prototype apartment complex outside Paris. The project was initiated by Francoise Choay, the Minister of Housing in France, in November 1973, when she invited the Center for Environmental Structure to join her analysis of poor quality, ...
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Low Cost Houses for Mexicali
1975 to
1977
Mexicali, Baja California, MexicoLow Cost Housing, Realized , Construction completed in 1977Client:Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexicali - Mr. Jorge Nunez, Director of the School of ArchitectureC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Julio Martinez, Howard Davis, Donald Corner, students and familiesContractor:Built by the families and local subcontractors under the management of the Center for Environmental StructureSponsor:University of Baja CaliforniaProject cost:$70,000Project stages:Pattern language for the project by C.E.S. Layout on the ground by clients and C.E.S. Preliminary Design drawings done after layout Direct Construction management along with on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.E.S. control Users inA cluster of houses for large families, with a builders yard, built by the families themselves with the help of students from the Universidad Autonoma of Mexico, and a team of builders from the Center for Environmental Structure. Each house ...
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House
1977 to
1984
4207 Arthur Road, 94553, Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Residential, Realized , Construction completed in 1984Client:Center for Environmetal Structure - C.E.S. DirectorsC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Jonathan Fefferman, Harissos Tsiringas, Gary Black, David Dacus, Olasheni AgbabiakaContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$120,000Project stages:Layout on the site by C.E.S. Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Users involved in the construction Innovative construction methodsThe second building completed on the Martinez site, was a 2,000 square feet house. A gunite all-concrete building as well, it was the first sizable and fully functional project in which C.E.S. used gunite, while applying all permit and specification ...
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Linz Café
1980
Linz , AustriaCommercial, Realized , Construction completed in Jul-1980Client:Forum Design; Österreichisches Institut für Visuelle Gestaltung - Angela HareiterC.E.S. staff:Christopher AlexanderContractor:Construction management by the Center for Environmental Structure with local subcontractorsProject cost:$35.000Project stages:Layout on the site by C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisionsBuilt as part of the international exposition "Forum Design" and designed to be "portable". Wooden building overlooking the Danube, with the first floor of the building raised to clear the ten-foot-high river embarkment. Yellow and red exterior, three stories, 2,300 ...
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House for John and Mara Lighty
1981 to
1989
2675 Harness Drive, Berryessa Estates, Pope Valley, Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Residential, Realized , Construction completed in Aug-1989Client:Mr. & Mrs. John and Mara LightyC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Gary Black, Gernot MittersteinerContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$72,788Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Use of full scale mock-ups Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Users involved in the construction Innovative constructiTerraced house built for a couple; the house consists of six building volumes, gracefully positioned on a wooded slope among white oak trees, and includes the living room - kitchen volume, the studio volume, the bedroom - library volume, a ...
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Sala House
1981 to
1983
700 Hillside, 94706, Albany, CA, U.S.A.Residential, Realized , Construction completed in Jun-1983Client:Mr. & Mrs. Andre and Anna SalaC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Gary Black, Bob Smith, David Turtle, Seth Wachtel, Andre SalaContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$180.000Design and construction process:1) Personal vision: C.E.S. worked with the Sala family to gain an understanding of their needs and to derive from them a deep and personal vision of their house. 2) Layout on the site: several sessions on the site, laying out the exterior edges of the house volume along with outside courtyards, completed by C.E.S. staff working with the Salas. The interior rooms of the ground floor were also laid out on the site. 3) Preparation of drawings: At the end of the layout process it was possible for C.E.S. to prepare a set of drawings for the building permit from the City of Albany. 4) Construction commences and design continues; C.E.S. was the general contractor, and so the design process which had been begun in the first phase was carried through the construction phase, with many crucial on-site design decisions being made weekly, even daily, while the house was under construction. 5) Finishing touches: Hand-painted woodwork, color, details, furnishings, were done by C.E.S. staff and construction crews.Project stages:Pattern language for the project by clients and C.E.S. Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Use of full scale mock-ups Direct Construction management along with on-site design decisThree-story tower, 20 feet by 20 feet in plan on each floor, on a wooded, sloping site. The interior structure of the house is wood post and beam with pine panelling and hand-painted surfaces, and the exterior is a red ...
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Eishin Campus - High School
1982 to
1995
Nihongi 112-1, Iruma-shi, Saitama Prefecture, JapanEducational, Realized , The first largest part was completed in 1985, the second part in 1988, and one more building was added in 1995Client:Higashino High School - Hisae Hosoi, Managing DirectorC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Hans-Joachim Neis, Gary Black, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Artemis Anninou, Astrid Chwoika, Neville Mathias, Eleni Coromvli, Ken Petermann, Robert M. Walsh, Randall Schmidt, Hajime Odagiri, Kohsuke Izumi, Hiroshi Nakano, Takeshi Ishikubo, Tamio ShioharaContractor:Fujita Corporation, Tokyo, JapanProject cost:$11,000,000 in 1985 $14,000,000 in 1988Design and construction process:The work on the design and construction of the project performed by C.E.S. was divided in five phases. 1) Creation of a pattern language; 2) Layout on the site; 3) Design of the individual buildings; 4) Working drawings; 5) Construction 1) The first step in the project was to create a pattern language for the school. This was achieved by spending a total of 1200 man-hours discussing the many requirements with the various teachers, professors and staff of the Eishin School. The results of these interviews and discussions were condensed into a coherent vision, which was written up in the form of patterns (a written documentation that describes a physical reality). A copy of the pattern language that was created had been included as part of the submission to the client. 2) The next step in the process was to lay out the various buildings and outdoor spaces on the site. The main goal in this step was to position the buildings so that they form positive outdoor spaces, and to use stakes to mark the corners so that all of the concerned parties can get an actual physical sense of how the site will feel when the buildings were built. When the site felt as though it was laid out just right, the position of each building was recorded. From this record an overall site plan was drawn. At the same time that this process was going on, a large-scale site model was under continuous development in the C.E.S. office in Japan, where the users could see it and discuss it, day by day, as the work proceeded. This played an important role in helping to establish a direct connection between the users, and the site plan of the finished campus. 3) The third step in the process was the design of the individual buildings. In the Eishin School project, 35 buildings in all were designed. During this phase, various types of construction were considered which could capture the vision of the project. Some of the buildings were designed as concrete block, some were plastered concrete, and others were constructed out of heavy timber. 4) In the fourth stage, preparation of working drawings and permission, C.E.S. did its own engineering and construction estimation. Many of the buildings have unique engineering behavior, which was developed on the C.E.S. computer programs by the C.E.S. engineering staff. C.E.S. also did extensive full-scale mock-ups of crucial materials and construction details during this stage, to guarantee that the final buildings would have the emotional reality with project staff was seeking. 5) In the construction phase of the project C.E.S. worked with Fujita Construction Company, the sixth largest construction company in Japan. During this phase, C.E.S. kept a full scale on-site office in place throughout the work, and had its own staff working closely with the details of the buildings, every single day. Many on-site changes, decisions and details of the buildings were made as the construction proceeded. Because of our method of cost accounting, these changes were made without increasing the cost of the finished project.Project stages:Pattern language for the project by clients and C.E.S. Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Generic rules for urban growth process Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Construction Drawings done after layout Construction management aThe High School is the part of the Eishin Campus that was constructed, with a total construction area of 12,000 square meters. It is a complex of thirty-five buildings, with pedestrian colonnaded streets, gates and gardens, and a lake with ...
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Eishin Campus - High School: Gymnasium
1982 to
1985
Nihongi 112-1, Iruma-shi, Saitama Prefecture, JapanEducational, Realized , Construction completed in 1985Client:Higashino High School - Hisae Hosoi, Managing DirectorC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Hans-Joachim Neis, Gary Black, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Artemis AnninouContractor:Fujita Corporation, Tokyo, JapanProject stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Construction Drawings done after layout Construction management along with on-site design decisions Innovative construction methodsThe Gymnasium is a large, 11,340 square feet, wooden building, surrounded by the water of the lake and accessed through a bridge. The walls covered with black plaster, and the dark red metal roof give its exterior identity, and wood ...
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Eishin Campus - High School: Campus Pedestrian Streets Network
1986 to
1989
Nihongi 112-1, Iruma-shi, Saitama Prefecture, JapanEducational, Realized , Construction completed in 1989Client:Higashino High School - Hisae Hosoi, Managing DirectorC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Hans-Joachim Neis, Gary Black, Ingrid Fiksdahl-KingContractor:Center for Environmental Structure, JapanProject cost:$1,500,000Design and construction process:The design of the landscape for the Eishin School Campus is created by, and influences the buildings on the site. The intent was to create a complete environment to compel learning and creativity in the most positive and beautiful way. Various elements designed into the landscape work to create this harmonious atmosphere, of which the following are examples. Gates were designed to invite the visitor to continue along the paths and streets of the site, as well as to create an act of entrance and passage. The main homebase street is formed by the individual homeroom buildings. It is a wide, lively, sunny street, which creates a forum where the students can come together outdoors, as a larger group, and where lively activity can unfold. In between the buildings, small gardens are created, separated from the activity of the street by fences. Other gardens are formed along the galleries which connect the rooms of the faculty hall. In front of the lounge is a teacher's garden for resting and enjoyment. The lake was created as a major element of the campus. In the early phase of design for the school, teachers and students indicated that one element they felt most important to be a part of the school, was a body of water. It is a focus for activity, with ducks and boats accessible by students, as well as for quiet reflection and beauty. A wooden bridge arches over the lake, making the entire campus accessible.Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.E.S. controlThe Eishin Campus pedestrian network includes a main square connected to the homebase wide street, narrow streets, arcaded alleys, paths and courtyards, fences, gates and terraces. It starts with a small square in front of the small gate, continues with ...
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Eishin Campus - High School: Campus Gardens and Landscape
1986 to
1989
Nihongi 112-1, Iruma-shi, Saitama Prefecture, JapanEducational, Realized , Construction completed in 1989Client:Higashino High School - Hisae Hosoi, Managing DirectorC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Hans-Joachim Neis, Gary Black, Ingrid Fiksdahl-KingContractor:Center for Environmental Structure, JapanProject cost:$1,500,000Design and construction process:The design of the landscape for the Eishin School Campus is created by, and influences the buildings on the site. The intent was to create a complete environment to compel learning and creativity in the most positive and beautiful way. Various elements designed into the landscape work to create this harmonious atmosphere, of which the following are examples. Gates were designed to invite the visitor to continue along the paths and streets of the site, as well as to create an act of entrance and passage. The main homebase street is formed by the individual homeroom buildings. It is a wide, lively, sunny street, which creates a forum where the students can come together outdoors, as a larger group, and where lively activity can unfold. In between the buildings, small gardens are created, separated from the activity of the street by fences. Other gardens are formed along the galleries which connect the rooms of the faculty hall. In front of the lounge is a teacher's garden for resting and enjoyment. The lake was created as a major element of the campus. In the early phase of design for the school, teachers and students indicated that one element they felt most important to be a part of the school, was a body of water. It is a focus for activity, with ducks and boats accessible by students, as well as for quiet reflection and beauty. A wooden bridge arches over the lake, making the entire campus accessible.Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.E.S. controlThe 62-hectare Campus site is mostly covered by green areas and is organized with gardens, sport fields, trees, a grove, a lawn, and a large number of tea bushes in strategic positions, preserved as found on the site. A lake ...
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Eishin Campus - High School: College Buildings D and E
1982 to
1987
Nihongi 112-1, Iruma-shi, Saitama Prefecture, JapanEducational, Realized , Construction completed in Jun-1987Client:Higashino High School - Hisae Hosoi, Managing DirectorC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Hans-Joachim Neis, Gary Black, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Artemis AnninouContractor:Fujita Corporation, Tokyo, JapanProject cost:$1,500,000Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Construction Drawings done after layout Construction management along with on-site design decisions Innovative construction methodsThe two college buildings on the north side of the College Complex were incorporated into the High School; they are located to the right and left of the Central Hall, flanked by the Arts and Science buildings. Each two-storey college ...
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Farmers' Market
1982 to
1985
North Blackstone Avenue and West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA, U.S.A.Commercial, Realized , Construction completed in 1985Client:Mr. Richard ErganianC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Carl Lindberg, Jonathan Fefferman, Artemis AnninouContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$80,000Project stages:Layout on the site by C.E.S. Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.E.S. control Innovative construction methodsA trellised structure to form the main spine for the weekly Farmer's open air market in Fresno, with 6,000 square foot floor area. Redwood arched trusses, on concrete block piers, 120 feet long, and 40 feet wide. Floor of grey ...
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Fort Mason Bench
1984
Marina District, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.Other, Realized , Construction completed in Jun-1984Client:CoEvolution Quarterly; Uncommon Courtesy, School of Compassionate Skills - Irmine Steltzner; Whole Earth Catalogue - Stewart BrandC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Rodney Moore, 22 workshop participantsContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureSponsor:Fort Mason Center, Marina Green, San Francisco - Mr. Mark Kasky, DirectorDesign and construction process:1) Apprentice workshop announced: The workshop was given under the auspices of "Uncommon Courtesy", a non-profit organization financed by the "Whole Earth Catalogue and Co-evolution Quarterly". Twenty "students" joined. 2) Making a mockup on site: The first design act was to place several hundered concrete blocks in a large arched shape. This mock-up was used to depict the general layout of the bench. 3) Construction commences: Having the location and the overall shape, construction proceeded with more and more refinements in the general shape and details of the bench going on during construction. 4) Refinements: Sophisticated new techniques developed by C.E.S. were used to provide green and white polished marble inserts of animals, flowers, and abstract ornamentsProject stages:Layout on the site by workshop particants No drawings were produced Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Built by the workshop participantsA three-tiered masonry public bench and centerpiece, on the Fort Mason pier, overlooking Alcatraz Island. It was built within three weeks as part of the "Spirit in Design" workshop, beginning on 24-Mar-1984 following an announcement in "CoEvolution Quarterly". The main intent ...
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New System of Office Furniture for Haworth, Inc.
1985 to
1986
Holland, MI, U.S.A.Office Furniture, Designed , Furniture prototypes built by C.E.S.Client:Haworth Manufacturing, Inc. - Tom HenchC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Gary Black, Mark BrinnerDesign and construction process:Theree design principles guided the development of the project: 1) Layout of the personal work space by their users in order to meet their own personal needs; this process is achievable through the use of a computer program developed at C.E.S. which carries a worker through the design process. 2) Use of flexible manufacturing techniques, which allow individualisation of each piece of furniture, without increasing costs; the purpose of this feature is to eliminate the modularity that is part and parcel of current systems. 3) The basis of design is the real human needs and desires, not on the latest trend.Project stages:Pattern language for project by C.E.S. Generic rules for office layout process Use of full scale mock-ups Fabrication of full size furniture prototypes by C.E.S. Design Development drawings done after fabricationThe new system of office furniture, intended for mass production, was designed in such a way as to be capable of creating the environment for millions of workers, in an endless variety of specific configurations. The line of furniture provided ...
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Offices and Workshops for Sweet Potatoes Children's Clothing Factory
1985 to
1986
1509A San Pablo Avenue, 94702, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Offices & Workshops, Office Furniture, Realized , Construction completed in Apr-1986Client:Mrs. Anna Sala, Ms. Josie JurcivinaC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Gary Black, Mark BrinnerContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$20,000Design and construction process:1) Layout of the offices by "Sweet Potatoes" employees: They used a patented office furniture layout process developed by C.E.S. This process allowed users to work with C.E.S. staff to lay out all common areas and individual workstations for themselves. The result was a highly personalized plan of the office, generated entirely by "Sweet Potatoes" employees. 2) Design and fabrication of the individual pieces of furniture at the C.E.S. Workshop in Martinez 3) Installation of the furniture by C.E.S. Personnel: As pieces were completed, they were shipped to Sweet Potatoes, where the C.E.S. assembly crew installed the different items, including thick walls, columns, doorways, desks, lighting, ceilings, floors, cabinets, screens, chairs.Project stages:Office layout process used by clients Layout on site by clients and C.E.S. Design Development drawings done after layout Direct Construction management and on-site design decisions2,300 square feet of interior office space for the management and administrative staff for "Sweet Potatoes" clothing factory to accommodate two partners and eleven employees. All interior furnishings, walls, floors, ceilings, lighting, built-in cabinets, desks, storage, chairs, tables, custom fitted ...
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Emoto Apartment Building
1986 to
1989
Tokyo, JapanResidential, Realized , Construction completed in 1989Client:Mrs. Sugiko EmotoC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Hansjoachim Neis, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Miyoko TsutsuiContractor:Kibe Construction Company, with subsidiary management by Center for Environmental Structure, JapanProject cost:$1,500,000Project stages:Use of full scale mock-ups Preliminary Design and Design Development drawings Direct Construction management along with on-site design decisions Subcontractors under C.E.S. controlAn apartment building laid out to enhance the two streets of the Komagone neighborhood, not far from downtown Tokyo. The site is surrounded with large buildings, and a local neighborhood behind, with lower buildings and much narrower streets. It is ...
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Julian Street Inn - Shelter for the Homeless
1986 to
1990
Julian St. & Montgomery St., San Jose, CA, U.S.A.Civic, Realized , Construction completed in 1989; final interior painting in 1990Client:Housing for Independent People - Al DiLudovico, Executive DirectorC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Gary Black, Artemis Anninou, Carl Lindberg, James Maguire, Eleni Coromvli, Kleoniki TsotropoulouContractor:Oliver and Company, with Center for Environmetal Structure as major specialty subcontractorProject cost:$1,700,000Project stages:Pattern language for project by clients and C.E.S. Layout by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Building Permit drawings Direct Construction management and on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.EDesign and construction of a shelter for homeless people, to serve 50 to 100 people, on a site of 13,000 sf. The building of 15,000 square feet includes offices, living areas with a dining hall, sleeping rooms, courtyards and gardens. ...
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House for Daniel Potash and Maureen McCabe
1986 to
1988
1341 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo, CA, U.S.A.Residential, Realized , Construction completed in 1988Client:Mr. Daniel Potash and Ms. Maureen McCabeC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Gary Black, Artemis Anninou, Chester Cervellino, Mark Brinner, Stephen Duff, Kleoniki TsotropoulouContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$150,000Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisionsComplete reconstruction of existing house, with emphasis on the house kitchen. Hand painted interiors, hand-plaster work, furniture, and garden terraces; benches, seats, table, fireplace and floor of kitchen --all built and painted by C.E.S. Total construction 2,500 square feet.
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The Personal Workplace - New System of Office Furniture
1988 to
1990
Zeeland, MI, U.S.A.Office Furniture, Designed , Two personal offices with furniture prototypes built by C.E.S.Client:Herman Miller, Inc. - Rob Harvey, Vice PresidentC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Gary BlackDesign and construction process:Theree design principles guided the development of the project: 1) Layout of the personal work space by their users in order to meet their own personal needs; this process is achievable through the use of a computer program developed at C.E.S. which carries a worker through the design process. 2) Use of flexible manufacturing techniques, which allow individualisation of each piece of furniture, without increasing costs; the purpose of this feature is to eliminate the modularity that is part and parcel of current systems. 3) The basis of design is the real human needs and desires, not on the latest trend.Project stages:Generic rules for office layout process Use of full scale mock-ups Fabrication of full size furniture prototypes and office rooms by C.E.S. Design Development drawings done after fabricationHerman Miller, the second largest manufacturer of office furniture in the United States, commissioned C.E.S. to develop the "personal workplace", a new system of furniture, which aimed at changing the nature of the American workplace completely. The emphasis was on ...
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House for Chris Upham and Stephanie Upham
1989 to
1994
37 Poppy Lane, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Residential, Realized , Construction completed in 1994Client:Mr. & Mrs. Christopher and Stephanie UphamC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Randall Schmidt, Carl Lindberg, Gary Black, James MaguireContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$439,000Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisionsTwo-story family house, with 2,400 square feet floor area, designed with the participation of the clients. The construction of a massive 15 high foot high retaining wall and sewer reconstruction caused by unusual hill condition added $96,000 to the house ...
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Sullivan House
1990 to
1994
Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Residential, Realized , Construction completed in 1996Client:Mr. & Mrs. Steve and Susie SullivanC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Eleni Coromvli, Katalin BendeContractor:Center for Environmetal StructureProject cost:$260,000Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.E.S. controlHouse reconstruction design and construction management. Concrete, redwood, fruitwood, plaster, terrazzo tiled floors and hand made metal detailed interiors.
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Neighborhood of Five Houses
1992 to
1995
Lake Travis, Austin, TX, U.S.A.Residential, Realized , Construction completed in 1995Client:Representative - Mrs. Linda GiojaC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, Saul Pichardo, Randall SchmidtContractor:Center for Environmetal Structure with Carl LindbergProject cost:Total project price: $800,000Project stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.E.S. controlCluster of five houses with common land and communal structures, located on Lake Travis, outside Austin, Texas; only three out of the initial five houses were built. The three house designs were made in close consultation with each family, which ...
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West Dean College Gardens Visitor's Center
1994 to
1996
Near Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.Civic, Realized , Construction completed in Nov. 1995Client:Edward James FoundationC.E.S. staff:Christopher Alexander, John Hewitt, students from "The Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture", students from Portsmouth UniversityContractor:Center for Environmetal Structure, as Management Contractor and General Contractor of record, with John Hewitt as Project ManagerProject stages:Layout on the site by clients and C.E.S. Use of full scale mock-ups Design Development and Building Permit drawings done after layout Direct construction management and on-site design decisions Budget and subcontractors under C.E.S. control InnovativThe West Dean Center is a simple one-story masonry building with a large red-tiled roof and intricate brickwork for its thick walls. The building is surrounded by gardens, and its south facing wall has large arched windows overlooking the garden ...
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Low Cost Houses for Mexicali: Step-by-step construction process using cement interlocking block for foundation and walls and light-weight concrete for vaults
1976
Construction System, Cement Interlocking Blocks, Vaulted Roof & CeilingCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Julio Martinez, Howard Davis, Donald CornerTwentry three building operations, as an example of a step-by-step construction process, capable of allowing mass production of large number of houses which are all different without increasing costs. These operations are so defined that can be applied to each ...
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Eishin Campus - High School: Homeroom buildings wall mockups for testing ornaments
1983
Building Detail, Wall TreatmentCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Hansjoachim NeisWall mockups with concrete block, white plaster, black plaster, green plaster, wood, stone in different proportions.
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Fresno Farmers' Market: Ornamental concrete tiles
1984
Work of Art for Project, Concrete TileworkCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Carl Lindberg, Jonathan Fefferman, Artemis Anninou6.000-square-foot ornamental concrete slab with special hand made fish-tail tiles. Each tile is about 15 inches long and 6 inches wide, in thin dense concrete about 1/2 inch thick. made by precasting 1/2" thick light blue fishtail tiles, cast on ...
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Fresno Farmers' Market: Redwood arched roof trusses
1984
Construction System, Heavy Timber Load Bearing StructureCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Carl Lindberg, Jonathan FeffermanFresno Farmer's market redwood arched roof trusses with concrete columns. The timber arched trusses were prefabricated in the C.E.S. warehouse near Berkeley, about 200 miles from the site, then moved to the building site and raised and fixed to get ...
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Eishin Campus - High School: Great Hall interior colored plasterwork
1985
Work of Art for Project, Hand-painted InteriorCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Hansjoachim Neis, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Miyoko Tsutsui, Ishiguro-sanBlack, red, grey, purple and pale green interior plasterwork to cover 40.000 sq. ft of hand etched plasterwork for columns and beams, screen, walls and ceilings for the interior of the Great Hall.
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Eishin Campus - High School: Gymnasium black shikkui plastered walls and roof detail
1985
Building Detail, Plasterwork, Roof & EaveCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Hansjoachim Neis, Artemis AnninouGymnasium black shikkui plastered exterior walls, unusual shaped windows, roof eave and orange-painted steel bracket plates holding the roof rafters.
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Eishin Campus - High School: College Buildings classroom window shaping
1984
Building Detail, Window ShapingCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Gary Black, Hansjoachim Neis, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Artemis AnninouWindows in the largest classrooms of the College Buildings, with harmonious internal organization in panes and glazing bars. Full-size mockups with various soft materials were developed until shapes and sizes worked harmoniously.
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Herman Miller New Office Furniture System: Wall lights & reflectors
1988
Work of Art for Project, Office Furniture PrototypeCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Gary BlackSystem of wall lights placed at the wall-celing interface, to form a lighting cornice. The wall lights are supplied with computerized colored reflecting surfaces, that can be installed either below or above the wall light. Full scale functioning light fixture ...
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Julian Street Inn - Shelter for the Homeless: Lacework concrete trusses with curved members shot in the air
1988
Construction System, Sprayed ConcreteCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Gary Black, Carl Lindberg, Avery Miller, James MaguireThe dining hall of Julian street inn is the higher building volume of the complex; the hall, a sigle room, 30 feet wide and 50 feet long, was intended to seat about 100 people. When the shape of the volume ...
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Upham House: Concrete wall shape and detailing
1990
Construction System, Structural WallCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randall Schmidt, Gary Black, James Maguire, Carl LindbergThe main structural wall of the house, details of the technique, shape and figure were developed from the mockups for the wall construction elements. A detailed, full-size cardboard mockup of a complete bay of the wall was built on site, ...
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Upham House: Interior plasterwork early experiments
1990
Work of Art for Project, OrnamentCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randall SchmidtEarly experiments for exploring possibilities of making flowers and other simple reliefs in plaster and trying casting techniques. Refiefs were made by gluing cardboard and balsa wood surfaces. These early experiments were the basis for the development of the plaster ...
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Upham House: Hand-made, painted and glazed lily tiles
1991
Work of Art for Project, Hand-made TileworkCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randall Schmidt, Lizabeth ChesterLow relief clay tiles produced from the plaster mold of the first successful original tile; four different variations of color combinations were tested on the site. The ones embedded in the stem wall of the foundation were the yellow lily ...
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Upham House: Concrete frieze
1992
Work of Art for Project, OrnamentCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randall SchmidtConcrete wall frieze with star octagon repetitive design; chosen after testing it against the alternative lily frieze design and finalized after mockups of different size octagons.
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Upham House: Kitchen fireplace shape
1992
Building Detail, Room ShapingCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randall SchmidtThe positioning of a kitchen fireplace, to function mainly as an oven, in the corner of an L-shaped kitchen, and its shaping as a cylinder, resolves the problems of the room; extensive work with cardboard mockups were used for finalizing ...
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Upham House: Interior plasterwork for the living room
1992
Work of Art for Project, OrnamentCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randall SchmidtPlaster patterned strips with geometric miniature basketweave design in low relief, cast from a mold made in balsa wood, installed in the living room in two locations: Vertical patterned strips on the walls, above waist height, about 4 or 5 ...
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Upham House: Colored terrazzo poured floor
1992
Work of Art for Project, Terrazzo WorkCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randall Schmidt, Shawn BradburyTerrazzo floor for the house kitchen, in red, yellow and green triangles; full size painted mockups were made to check the colors in position.
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Upham House: Window openings and windows details
1992
Building Detail, Window ShapingCreated by:Christopher AlexanderThe detailed design of the windows, namely the arrangement of lights, mullions and glazing bars for each window and door, was concluded after it was made clear that the big living room windows formed a kind of anchor point. The ...
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Back-of-the-Moon Community: Column capital shape and size, built in the porch of the three houses
1994
Building Detail, Column ShapingCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Saul Pichardo, Randall SchmidtTimber thick columns and shaped capitals were developed after a series of cardboard mock-ups until size, proportions and shape got right.
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West Dean College Gardens Visitor's Center: Tables, chairs and benches for the restaurant
1995
Work of Art for Project, Project FurnitureCreated by:Christopher AlexanderTables of various shapes and sizes, chairs and benches designed and made specifically for the restaurant and its upper gallery. Cardboard and wooden mock-ups of the furniture were designed while the building was stil in construction, for reconciling the feeling ...
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Sullivan House: Blue and white terrazzo floor
1995
Work of Art for Project, Terrazzo WorkCreated by:Christopher Alexander, Randy Schmidt, Katalin Bende850 hand-made tiles with flower, cast in blue and white terrazzo, ground and polished for the terrace floor; mockups and experimentation for developing the flower mold and the way of making them were developed in a construction course, and the ...
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The Architect Builder
01/01/1976
Publication, PaperAuthors:Christopher AlexanderPublisher:Center for Environmental Structure, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.
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The Architect Builder: Toward Changing the Conception of what an Architect is
01/09/1977
Publication, ArticleAuthors:Christopher AlexanderPublished in:San Francisco Bay Architects' Review, No. 4, pp. 4Publisher:American Institute of Architects - Northern California Chapter, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
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Christopher Alexander, Theory and Practice
01/07/1984
Publication, ArticleAuthors:James ShipskyPublished in:Architecture, No. 7, pp. 54-63Publisher:American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
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Das Machen von Gebäuden: Eishin College - Eishin High School bei Tokio / The Making of Buildings: Eishin College - Eishin High School at Tokyo
01/02/1986
Publication, ArticleAuthors:Hansjoachim NeisPublished in:Baumeister, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 24-42Publisher:Verlag Georg D. W. Callwey, Munich, GermanyLanguage:German
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Perspectives: Manifesto 1991 - Christopher Alexander opens the door to a new and entirely different theory and practice of architecture
01/07/1991
Publication, ArticleAuthors:Christopher AlexanderPublished in:Progressive Architecture, Vol. 72, No. 7, pp. 108-112Publisher:Penton Publishing, Cleveland, OH, U.S.A.
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The Linz Café: Perspective sketches exploring preliminary ideas for the building
01/01/1980
Architectural Design, Project, SketchesDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Paper, Original on Tracing PaperSize:8 1/2"x11"Nine perspective sketches of the building, studies on the building volumes and the use of canopies for the balconies .
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The Linz Café: Elevation sketches exploring preliminary ideas for the building
01/01/1980
Architectural Design, Project, SketchesDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Paper, Original on Tracing PaperSize:8 1/2"x11"Seven sketches of building elevations studying the general proportions of the building elements.
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The Linz Café: Section sketches exploring preliminary ideas for the building
01/01/1980
Architectural Design, Project, SketchesDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Paper, Original on Tracing PaperSize:8 1/2"x11"Seven sketches of longitudinal and cross sections of the building, studying the interior elevations and the proportions of the interior spaces.
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The Linz Café: Floor plan sketches exploring preliminary ideas for the building
01/01/1980
Architectural Design, Project, SketchesDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Paper, Original on Tracing PaperSize:8 1/2"x11"Four sketches of rough floor plans, studying the functional organization and space relations .
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The Linz Café: Floor and ceiling plans sketches accompanied with sections exploring preliminary ideas for the building
01/01/1980
Architectural Design, Project, SketchesDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Paper, Original on Tracing PaperSize:8 1/2"x11"Seven pages of sketches with a mixture of rough floor and ceiling plans with corresponding small sections.
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The Linz Café: Various alcove sketches exploring preliminary ideas for the building
01/01/1980
Architectural Design, Project, SketchesDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Paper, Original on Tracing PaperSize:8 1/2"x11"Seven pages with rough sketches of the café small alcoves, each including a mixture of plans, elevations, perspectives, sections and decorative pattern details; two of them focus on the large café alcove.
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The Linz Café: Watercolor painting of one elevation
01/01/1980
Architectural Design, Project, SketchesDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Paper, Original on Tracing PaperSize:8 1/2"x11"A watercolor painting of the side elevation, a study of the combination and proportions of the red and yellow colors.
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Berryessa Terraced House: Sketches - Site layout process with field notes
01/04/1981
Architectural Design, Project, Sketches, Layout ProcessDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:Original on Tracing Paper, BlueprintSize:8 1/2"x11", 24"x36"A sequence of eleven sketches made during a period of two monthes that the house was laid out on the site. They demonstrate the results of this layout process, until the setting of each house volume on the land was ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Design Development Drawings - Final design based on the survey of the top boards of the foundation formwork
01/08/1981
Architectural Design, Project, Design Development, Site PlanDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:BlueprintSize:24"x30 3/8"Scale:1"=10'Site plan with contour lines, existing trees, roof configuration of the various buildings together with outdoor structures, and their distance dimensions from the lot boundaries.
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Berryessa Terraced House: Design Development Drawings - Final design based on the survey of the top boards of the foundation formwork
01/08/1981
Architectural Design, Project, Design Development, Floor PlanDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Artemis Anninou, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:BlueprintSize:24"x45"Scale:1/4"=1'Floor plan depicting the five volumes of the house –main house, library building, storage tower, workshop and carport– and the outdoor structures connecting the individual volumes.
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: Gymnasium black shikkui plastered walls and roof detail - Design Development Drawings
01/04/1984
Construction Innovation, Design Development, Elevation, DetailsDesigners:Christopher Alexander, Hansjoachim Neis, Artemis Anninou, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Medium:BlueprintSize:Extract from 24"x42" drawingScale:1:50, 1:10Detail of the elevation of the Gymnasium side wall depicting the alternating sequence of windows and wall segments with the orange-painted steel plates, below the roof eave, marking the ends of the truss rafters and functioning as ornaments on the ...
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The New Apartment House - Project 46
01/01/1975
Project, Project ReportAuthors:Christopher Alexander, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, Walter V. Wendler, Center for Environmental Structure, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.87-page project report which describes a new form of apartment house, intended for families who own their apartments. The aim of the project was to propose a new kind of apartment which has life and is personal to the people ...
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Design and Building Process as Critical Inquiry - Sakura Tsutsumi Experimental Building in Tokyo
01/01/1994
C.E.S. Office, Project ReportAuthors:Hansjoachim Neis, Tokyo, Japan16-page document with text, sketches, drawings and photos with subtitle “General Design Objectives and Analytical Goals”.
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Sala House: Design decisions made during construction
01/01/1982
Project, Design Matters, Layout Process on SiteAuthors:Christopher Alexander, Center for Environmental Structure, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.8-page list of design decisions made during construction, presented in groups under the following titles: Parking Deck, Lower Terrace, Exterior-General, Interior-General, Ground Floor Fireplace, Fireplace Alcove, Pantry, Farmhouse Kitchen & Stairs, Second Floor Entrance, Bathroom, Kid’s Bedroom, Stairs, Laundry Room ...
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Berryessa House: Field notes by Bob Theis
04/03/1988
Project, Construction Works, Outstanding IssuesAuthors:Bob Theis, Center for Environmental Structure, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.63-page record of communication between the construction manager and Christopher Alexander regarding the progress of the second phase of construction. The time recorded is between September 22, 1987 and March 4, 1988, and presents a photographic record with chronological order ...
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House: Photographs of the project during construction
01/01/1979
Project, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Negative, Contact SheetCharacteristics:35mm, B&WEight images of the foundation excavations works, and the formation of the different levels of the building.
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House: Photographs of the project during construction
01/01/1979
Project, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Negative, Contact SheetCharacteristics:35mm, B&WTwenty-five images of the foundation works. They depict various operations from building the formwork of the building foundation retaining walls, footings and perimeter beams, including both overviews and close-ups.
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House: Photographs of the project during construction
01/01/1979
Project, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Negative, Contact SheetCharacteristics:35mm, B&WSeventeen images of the foundation works. They depict preparations for pouring concrete, and the completion of the first pour on the first level of the building, the entrance porch.
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House: Photographs of the project during construction
01/01/1979
Project, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Negative, Contact SheetCharacteristics:35mm, B&WNine images of the foundation works. They depict the completed first concrete pour on the first level of the building, the entrance porch showing the perimeter ornament stamped on the concrete during its early curing stage.
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The Linz Café: Photographs of Christopher Alexander at work
01/01/1980
Project, Design ProcessPhotographer:Erich Pichler, Linz, AustriaSource:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WTwo photographs of Christopher Alexander at the time the building was under construction, working on the geometry of the café alcove by developing cardboard mock-ups, for testing its shape, dimensions and the feel of comfort.
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House: Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1981
Project, Exterior View, Mock-upPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorThe small shed, built as an experimental building, with its Russian roof mock-up completed.
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Anderson House: Photograph of scale model
01/01/1981
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorSmall scale rough wooden model for studying the house volumes, its courtyard and entrance path.
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Berryessa Terraced House: Photographs of drawings
01/08/1981
Project, DrawingPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WThe house site plan in three different drafting versions, each one highlighting the critical building blocks of its design. This drawing was not drawn in detail ahead of time, and became known in its final form only after construction of ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Photographs of drawings
01/08/1981
Project, DrawingPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:PMTCharacteristics:8"x10", B&WPhotographs of four design development drawings of the house including Floor Plan, Elevations, Sections and Construction Details. These hardline drawings were produced after the completion of the construction of the formwork for the foundation works, ensuring that all trees of ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Initial excavations - Photographs
01/05/1981
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorFour views depicting the first excavation activities to form the platforms of the main volumes of the house, as indicated by the stakes placed during the initial layout on the land, which defined the corners of the house volumes.
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Berryessa Terraced House: Layout of house with stakes on the land - Photographs
01/07/1981
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorFour views depicting the first step of the layout process on the site, in order to determine the location and approximate size of the house volumes, in relatioship to the site slope, views and existing trees; main constraints were the ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Foundation perimeter beam and slab formwork under construction - Photographs
01/07/1981
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, Print, NegativeCharacteristics:8"x10", Color, B&WThe construction of the formwork for the perimeter beam and slab of the foundation finalized the design of the footprint and levels of the volumes of the house, which followed pretty closely the layout of the house staked on the ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Foundation perimeter beam, slab and retaining walls formwork - Photographs
01/07/1981
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorSeven views from the construction process of the foundation formwork, and specifically nailing the top board of the ground floor slab on metal stakes, and hamemering the stakes into the ground until the proper level was reached. A design decision ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Foundation perimeter beam, slab and retaining walls formwork - Photographs
01/09/1981
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorTen images from the construction process of the foundation formwork reaching completion. The first six images are from the living room and kitchen main volume, with the sitting alcove at the end of the living room now shaped; one from ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Foundation perimeter beam, slab and retaining walls formwork - Photographs
01/12/1981
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorEight images from the foundation formwork completed. The first four images are from the living room and kitchen main volume; another one from the staircase connecting the studio to the living room volume; the sixth image is an overview of ...
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House: Photographs of people during construction
01/08/1982
Project, Working in ConstructionPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorChristopher Alexander working on site and marking the shape and size of opening during the framing stage of construction.
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The Campus of Eishin: Laying out the site plan on the ground by combining the two systems of centers - Photographs of model
01/10/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorThe small balsa-wood model of the site, scale 1:500, in the Berkely office, on which the solution finally became apparent. The photo was exhibited at the 14th International Architecture Biennale Exhibition: “Office US”.
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The Campus of Eishin: Laying out the site plan on the ground and designing in three dimensions by making, using and testing models - Photographs of model
01/11/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorChristopher Alexander meeting with his colleagues on the site around a small scale working model, scale 1:500.
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The Campus of Eishin: Laying out the site plan on the ground and designing in three dimensions by making, using and testing models - Photographs of model
01/11/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, ModelPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorSeven photographs of the large scale working model, scale 1:100, in the site office, for studying locations, shapes, volumes, and making decisions by going back and forth between the actual site and the model, and adjusting what was required, either ...
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The Campus of Eishin: Laying out the site plan on the ground and designing in three dimensions by making, using and testing models - Photographs of model
01/11/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, ModelPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorThe one time principal of the school, and the former mathematics teacher, squatting comfortably on the working model, while discussions were going on. The photo was exhibited at the 14th International Architecture Biennale Exhibition: “Office US”.
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The Campus of Eishin: Laying out the site plan on the ground and then finally transferring it to a final site plan - Photographs of drawings
01/11/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, DrawingPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WFinal scale site plan of the Eishin Campus, presents the outcome of the design process, which included the layout on the ground and its testing with numerous sketches and models in various scales. It should be noted that the three ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Foundation concrete works - Photographs
15/01/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorFour images while pouring concrete for the foundations and slabs.
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Berryessa Terraced House: Foundation concrete works - Photographs
01/02/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorNine images of the poured concrete slabs and retaining walls with the formwork still in place and the white styrofoam pads highlighting the rebars sticking out. Two views are from the entrance slab; two from the studio slab; two from ...
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Berryessa Terraced House: Foundation concrete works - Photographs
10/02/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Napa County, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorFour images of the concrete slabs and retaining walls after the formwork had been removed. In some of them the blue tiles embedded in the perimeter slab beam can be discerned.
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Sala House: Photographs of the project during construction
01/08/1982
Project, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:B&WTwo photographs after the completion of the foundation works in which the ground floor slab of the compact house is viewed in relation to the two garden terraces of the house already shaped in parallel. The positive shapes of open ...
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Sala House: Photographs of the project during construction
01/08/1982
Project, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:B&WImage of the tall and shallow all concrete Count Rumford fireplace, completed in parallel with the erection of the timber framework.
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The Campus of Eishin - High SchooI: The pedestrian network of the campus and the main square - Photographs of project model
01/01/1982
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:SlideCharacteristics:ColorImage of the main square in the modeling stage, when it started to be envisioned and take shape; buildings are still quite rough.
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The Campus of Eishin: Laying out the site plan on the ground by combining the two systems of centers - Photographs of drawings
01/10/1982
Project, Layout Process on Site, DrawingPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WRough drawings, records on paper of the 1:500 balsa-wood model of the site.
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Sala House - Farmhouse kitchen alcove: Photographs of mock-ups
01/01/1983
Project, Mock-upPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Albany, CA, U.S.A.Source:SlideCharacteristics:ColorTwo photographs from the kitchen alcove; the first depicts the cardboard mock-ups and the second the alcove front as constructed.
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The Campus of Eishin - High SchooI: The Dining Hall - Photographs of project model
01/07/1983
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:SlideCharacteristics:ColorView of the project model showing clearly the location of the Dinning Hall on a high place, within a large landscaped area, over looking the lake.
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The Campus of Eishin - High SchooI: The pedestrian network of the campus and the main square - Photograph of project model
01/01/1983
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorView of a portion of the Homebase street in a carboard model at 1:100 scale, focusing on the Homeroom buildings .
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The Campus of Eishin - High SchooI: The pedestrian network of the campus and the main square - Photograph of project model
01/03/1984
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:SlideCharacteristics:ColorImage of the main square buildings in rather detailed large scale models, testing volumes, proportions, details, in parallel with the preparation of drawings.
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The Campus of Eishin - High SchooI: The pedestrian network of the campus and the entrance street - Photographs
01/01/1984
Project, Layout Process on Site, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WStakes, and poles, and ropes, allowed the architects to mark the position of the entrance street. Several of the CES crew laying out the detailed position of the entrance street, with the long stakes and ropes, all the time judging ...
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The Campus of Eishin - College Complex: Library and Research Center - Photographs of model
01/03/1984
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorThree views of the Library and Research Center model, at a large scale for fine-tuning the building volumes and their treatment.
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The Campus of Eishin - High SchooI: Gymnasium - Photographs of model
01/03/1984
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorTwo views of the Gymnasium model showing the façade treatment; the roof of the model was removable to enable the study of its interior as well.
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The Campus of Eishin - High SchooI: Great Hall - Photographs of model
01/03/1984
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:SlideCharacteristics:ColorThe Great Hall model, as included in the large scale model of the whole project.
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Emoto Apartment Building: Photographs of sketches
01/02/1986
Project, DrawingPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Tokyo, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WTwo sketches of the Emoto apartment building site plan; the first failing, while the second succeeding to make a harmonious space and volume in relationship to the adjacent street. And a third one illustrating the final ground floor plan .
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Emoto Apartment Building: Photographs of project model
01/02/1986
Project, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Tokyo, JapanSource:SlideCharacteristics:ColorFive different views of the Emoto apartment building cardboard colored study model; two views from the street side and two views from its interior courtyard. The model was a useful tool to study the impact of the volume and site ...
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Five Story Apartment Building: Photographs of mock-ups
01/02/1987
Project, Mock-upPhotographer:Miyoko Takeda, Tokyo, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorHansjoachim Neis working on a full-scale mock-up of a large vertical section of the exterior wall of the building, including the first three floors of the building. He used heavy paper, hung and fastened on the building wall, and worked ...
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for the Homeless: Photographs of project model
01/06/1987
Project, Design Process, ModelPhotographer:Ismet Khambatta/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorTwo photographs of a detailed roof model focusing on the trusses at the curved part of the building.
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for Homeless: Photographs of mock-ups
01/01/1987
Project, Mock-upPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., San Jose, CA, U.S.A.Source:InstantCharacteristics:3 1/2"x4 1/4", ColorBeam connection detail mock-up for the first floor arcade. Two detail images of the heavy timber ledger beam connection sitting on a concrete wall.
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Agate Street Dormitory for the University of Oregon: Photographs of drawings
01/01/1991
Project, DrawingPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorFour drawings showing the complex pattern of positive outdoor spaces which emerged.
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Agate Street Dormitory for the University of Oregon: Photographs of project model
01/01/1991
Project, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorEarly in-progress cardboard model of the project at a scale of 1:200, which completes the space- and volume-forming phase of the work.
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Low Cost Houses for Mexicali: Step-by-step construction process using cement interlocking block for foundation and walls and light-weight concrete for vaults - Photographs
01/01/1976
Construction Innovation, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Howard Davis/C.E.S., Mexicali, MexicoSource:Digital, Print, NegativeCharacteristics:8"x10", 4"x5", 2 3/8"x3 6/8", 35mm, Color, B&WThirty three photos grouped in sets illustrating the sequence of the construction operations in the project, and specifically the nineteen out of the twenty three construction steps.
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Low Cost Houses for Mexicali: Step-by-step construction process using cement interlocking block for foundation and walls and light-weight concrete for vaults - Photographs
01/01/1976
Construction Innovation, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Peter Bosselman, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:PMT, NegativeCharacteristics:8 1/2"x11", B&WSeries of sketches by Peter Bosselman, outlining the construction process in detailed sequential steps; ten PMTs and their corresponding negatives depict: 1) Excavation & staking; 2) Foundation & slab; 3) Columns & walls; 4) Wall tie-beams formwork & gable ends; ...
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Low Cost Houses for Mexicali: Step-by-step construction process using cement interlocking block for foundation and walls and light-weight concrete for vaults - Photographs
01/01/1976
Construction Innovation, Construction ProcessPhotographer:Peter Bosselman, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorTwo views of the original color sketches by Peter Bosselman, outlining the construction process in detailed sequential steps; ten PMTs and their corresponding negatives depict: 1) Excavation & staking; 2) Foundation & slab; 3) Columns & walls; 4) Wall tie-beams ...
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall with massive columns and raher small space between them - Photographs of model
01/01/1983
Construction Innovation, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WClose-up views of the Great Hall first large scale model of its interior, at 1:20 scale, to enable the vizualization of its interior with as much detail as possible. It was used for working out and testing the size and ...
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Homeroom buildings walls - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1983
Construction Innovation, Construction Experiment & Mock-upPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorExperiments and mock-ups for testing distribution of materials, understanding and defining the relative percentage of the different materials used for the walls. Concrete, plaster, wood and tiles were tested in the mock-ups, so that the veriety of materials has hierarchy ...
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Homeroom buildings ornament - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1983
Construction Innovation, Mock-upPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorImage with two C.E.S. members making experiments in the yard at Eishin. They were to become prototypes for ornaments on the homeroom buildings. It was exhibited at the 14th International Architecture Biennale Exhibition: “Office US”.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Homeroom buildings ornament - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1983
Construction Innovation, Mock-upPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorOrnament mock-up using concrete blocks, primarily used in the homeroom buildings.
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C.E.S. Office - Martinez House: Blue and white color for exterior walls - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1983
Construction Innovation, Mock-up, Design ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorPhotograph showing the texting and mixing blues on the concrete of the perimeter foundation beam with a white patch of white paint for assessing contrast.
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: Gymnasium - Window shaping and details - Photographs of model
01/03/1984
Construction Innovation, ModelPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorLarge scale model testing shape, proportions and details of the Gymnasium windows.
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: College Buildings - The shaping of the classroom windows - Photographs of mock-up
01/03/1984
Construction Innovation, Construction Experiment & Mock-upPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorFull-scale mock-up of a typical window in the large classrooms, made of cardboard and other soft materials, for testing shapes, sizes and proportions. When worked out, these windows with these dimensions were installed in the college buildings .
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: College Buildings - Black shikkui wall ornaments & the shaping of the classroom windows - Photographs of model
01/03/1984
Construction Innovation, ModelPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorThree photographs of a large scale model of a wall segment of the college buildings, for studying proportions, shapes and relations of the façade elements, namely its windows, the ornamental frieze and columns, and the sought after balance and harmony ...
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: College Buildings - Flat beam ceiling structural design in large classrooms - Photographs of model
01/03/1984
Construction Innovation, ModelPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorFour views of a small cardboard model of the structural ceiling beams.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: College Buildings - Flat beam ceiling structural design in arcades - Photographs of model
01/03/1984
Construction Innovation, ModelPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorView of a small cardboard model of the structural ceiling beams.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs of drawings
01/01/1984
Construction Innovation, Sketches, Design ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:Color, B&WThree sketches by Christopher Alexander for the Great Hall columns.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs of drawings
01/01/1984
Construction Innovation, Sketches, Design ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:Color, B&WThree color sketches by Christopher Alexander for the Great Hall columns and walls.
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: College Buildings - The aperiodic structural grid - Photographs of drawings
01/03/1984
Construction Innovation, DrawingPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WViews of one sketch and four drawings of one college building; the sketch juxtaposes a simple grid to an aperiodic grid, and the next drawing shows the pattern of beams at the first and second ceiling levels, organized in an ...
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: Gymnasium - Black shikkui plastered walls and roof detail - Photographs
01/05/1985
Construction Innovation, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Hiroshi Nakano/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorThe black shikkui plastered walls in alteration with the unusual shaped wooden windows, the red roof and the orange-painted steel bracket plates holding the roof rafters, assumingly just ornaments, create a field of centers. In the second photo the relationship ...
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1985
Construction Innovation, Mock-up, Design ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorPreliminary mock-up of columns checking size, arrangement, color and feeling.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1985
Construction Innovation, Mock-up, Design ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorFull-size mock-up, on paper draped over the actual column, for double checking colors and dimensions. It was exhibited at the 14th International Architecture Biennale Exhibition: “Office US”.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Lamp for Great Hall - Photographs of mock-up
01/11/1986
Construction Innovation, Construction Experiment & Mock-upPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorThree photos from the making of a hanging simple lamp for the Great Hall. The first presents a sketch by Christopher Alexander, the second the prototype lamp, when first made on the floor of the hall, and the third when ...
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall with massive columns and rather small space between them - Photographs
01/01/1986
Construction Innovation, Interior ViewPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorTwo views of the Great Hall interior before it was painted, with focus on the column shaping and the space formed between them, as well as on the natural light entering through the rather small winows, almost framed by the ...
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: College Buildings - The shaping of the classroom windows - Photographs
01/07/1987
Construction Innovation, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorTwo views of the windows in a large classrooms.
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: College Buildings - Black shikkui ornaments & The shaping of the classroom windows - Photographs
01/07/1987
Construction Innovation, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorTwo views of a wall segment of the college buildings, focusing on the black shikkui ornamental frieze running all around the building and the wooden windows.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, Interior ViewPhotographer:Christopher Alexander, Ruth Landy, Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorFour photos, the first shot in 1984 and the last in 1987, which show “wholeness in the making”. In the first two we see the unpainted Great Hall interior as finished in 1985, when the shape of columns, capitals and ...
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Hiroshi Kobayashi, Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, PrintCharacteristics:23 3/4"x36 3/8", ColorThe plaster work is polished black shikkui, an ancient Japanese technique, embellished with chevrons carried out in red plaster and a floral frieze in white and grey highlights. The surface of the plaster was hand-polished some thirty times to reach ...
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for the Homeless: Exterior wall cladding with hand-painted and hand-glazed tilework - Photographs of model
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, ModelPhotographer:Ismet Khambatta/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorPhotograph of an early working model of a section of the building wall for testing the relationhip between the recessed bays on the ground floor with the cladding of the second floor wall with tilework.
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for Homeless: Lacework concrete trusses with curved members shot in the air - Photographs of mock-up depicting its design process
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, Construction Experiment & Mock-up, Design ProcessPhotographer:Ismet Khambatta/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorSix photographs of a scale mock-up of an early version of concrete truss, experimenting with the construction of the truss formwork and reinforcement, using styrofoam for making the voids of the concrete truss.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Ruth Landy, Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, PrintCharacteristics:23 3/4"x36 3/8", ColorThe plaster work is polished black shikkui, an ancient Japanese technique, embellished with chevrons carried out in red plaster .
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, Mock-up, Design ProcessPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorMock-up of the floral pattern above the polished in black shikkui columns.
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for Homeless: Lacework concrete trusses with curved members shot in the air - Photographs of model
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, ModelPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:PrintCharacteristics:4"x5 7/8", B&WImage depicting the interior space of the dining hall paper model with the four trusses in place.
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for Homeless: Lacework concrete trusses with curved members shot in the air - Photographs of sketches depicting design process
01/01/1987
Construction Innovation, Sketches, Design ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Martinez, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WEighteen photographs of a sequence of sketches by Christopher Alexander on the shaping of the concrete truss in relation to its structural analysis; it starts with an early idea, then follow nine photographs of five alternatives, and the final eight ...
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for Homeless: Lacework concrete trusses with curved members shot in the air - Photographs of mock-up
01/11/1988
Construction Innovation, Construction Experiment & Mock-up, Design ProcessPhotographer:James Maguire/C.E.S., San Jose, CA, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorPhotograph of the full scale mock-up of the final concrete truss built out of reinforced cardboard, following the dimensions and details of the finally engineered truss, and lifted on the dining hall walls, to be tested in its real place ...
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The Julian Street Inn - Shelter for Homeless: Lacework concrete trusses with curved members shot in the air - Photographs of mock-ups depicting its design process
29/08/1988
Construction Innovation, Construction Experiment & Mock-up, Design ProcessPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., San Jose, CA, U.S.A.Source:PrintCharacteristics:4"x6", ColorSix images of a cardboard full scale partial mock-up, depicting one of the spanning ends of the truss and the testing on site four alternatives for supporting the truss on the columns already built. The first, simple solution was chosen ...
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The Campus of Eishin - High School: College Buildings - The shaping of the classroom windows - Photographs
01/11/1989
Construction Innovation, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Artemis Anninou/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorTwo views of the windows in a large classrooms, with window leaves open and curtains hung on them.
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The Campus of Eishin- High School: Great Hall interior plasterwork in color - Photographs
01/11/1989
Construction Innovation, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Hansjoachim Neis/C.E.S., Iruma-shi, Saitama, JapanSource:Digital, SlideCharacteristics:ColorClose-up view of the polished black shikkui plastered columns with the red chevrons.
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Back-of-the-Moon Community: Column capital shape and size used in the porch of the three houses - Photographs of mock-up
01/01/1994
Construction Innovation, Mock-upPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Lake Travis, Austin, TX, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorImages of three cardboard mockups, testing the size and shape of the timber column capitals, to be used in the porches of the houses; the first one depicts a rather fat capital, the second one a shallow one, while the ...
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Back-of-the-Moon Community: Column capital shape and size used in the porch of the three houses - Photographs
01/11/1995
Construction Innovation, Exterior ViewPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Lake Travis, Austin, TX, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorTwo images of the Goddu house curved porch with the colums and their capitals as built for this house.
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Back-of-the-Moon Community: Column capital shape and size used in the porch of the three houses - Photographs
01/11/1995
Construction Innovation, Exterior ViewPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Lake Travis, Austin, TX, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorImage of the Heisey house enclosed porch with the colums and their capitals as built for this house.
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Back-of-the-Moon Community: Column capital shape and size used in the porch of the three houses - Photographs
01/11/1995
Construction Innovation, Exterior ViewPhotographer:Christopher Alexander/C.E.S., Lake Travis, Austin, TX, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:B&WTwo images of the Gioja house porch with the colums and their capitals as built for this house.
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Back-of-the-Moon Community: Column capital shape and size used in the porch of the three houses - Photographs
18/03/2018
Construction Innovation, Exterior View, Focus on DetailsPhotographer:Dan Klynn, Lake Travis, Austin, TX, U.S.A.Source:DigitalCharacteristics:ColorImage of the column capital detail, as built at the Heisey house enclosed porch.
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Principles for a Process which Produce Healthy and Human Places
01/11/1981
Academic, Student Work, PaperAuthors:Artemis Anninou, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.108-page paper on the definition of a design and building process for housing, taking into consideration available funding, construction cost, time for completion, while creating a place with human qualities loved by its people. Written for an independent study course ...
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Ph.D. Qualifying Examination: The New Apartment Building Process
21/05/1993
Academic, Student Work, Ph.D. Qualifying ExaminationAuthors:Kyriakos L. Pontikis, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Ph.D. Qualifying Examination Committee: Chair – Gary Black, Christopher Alexander, Charles Ibbs, Sara Ishikawa, Hansjoachim Neis.
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Apartment Building Process: The Making of the Apartment Building in Cyprus
01/09/1998
Academic, Student Work, Doctoral DissertationAuthors:Kyriakos L. Pontikis, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.Establishing an apartment building process capable of creating dwellings with an increased feeling of “ownership and belonging” to its inhabitants. Describes today’s apartment building problems and works his way in establishing the process to be followed for the creation of ...