Advanced Topics on Geometry – Special Problems

Spring 1980

On Unbroken Wholeness: eleven week seminar on the Centering Process and the Geometric Properties.

University Program:

Master of Architecture

Course type:

Graduate Seminar

Course number:

Arch. 207

Instructors:

Christopher Alexander

Enrolled students:

Artemis Anninou, Walt Holmes, Hiroshi Nanako, Hansjoachim Neis, Nili Portugali, Bob Randolph, Ralf Weber

Contents

Course Material

Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Thoughts about good structures in design - Preliminary state of discussing processes leading to good structures 01/03/1980

Student Work, Paper

Authors:

Ralf Weber, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

41-page paper discussing the underlying factors and elements, which account for a good structure and trying to establish if a process, a universal algorithm, can be determined, able of guiding the creative process.
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Process of "Seeing" and Creating the Structure 01/06/1980

Student Work, Paper

Authors:

Nili Portugali, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

9-page essay on the inner-nature of things and on the process that makes possible its manifestation.
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Notes in response to class lectures and discussions on the "Centering Process" 01/03/1980

Student Work, Seminar Course Notes

Authors:

Ralf Weber, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

Sporadic student reflections over a course semester.
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Different versions of the Centering Process 02/04/1980

Research Paper, Handout to Students

Authors:

Christopher Alexander, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

A compilation of fifty pages on the centering process approached through six different ways: 1) Definition of Centering Process, Fall 1979; 2) Example of Centering Process, Fall 1978, with shirt-tail design; 3) A Simplicity Seeking Process; 4) The Presence of ...
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Unbroken Wholeness 01/04/1980

Research Paper, Handout to Students

Authors:

Christopher Alexander, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

12-page paper on the definition of a “whole” followed by the description of its geometric properties, which present a way of constructing a more complex whole; definition of a process in which unbroken wholeness is created .
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: The Centering Process May 8, 1980 08/05/1980

Research Paper, Handout to Students

Authors:

Christopher Alexander, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

14-page paper on the centering process used for generating a design; the ceiling of the seminar room used as an example. The 15 geometric properties are also introduced as part of the design process.
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Seminar weekly notes 01/06/1980

Student Work, Seminar Course Notes

Authors:

Artemis Anninou, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

Twenty four pages of notes covering the eleven weekly meeting of the seminar, starting 1-Apr-1980 until 12-Jun-1980.
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Thoughts on the Centering Process 01/06/1980

Student Work, Paper

Authors:

Artemis Anninou, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

34-page paper attempting to bring into clear and coherent terms the ideas discussed in the Spring 1980 Arch. 241 seminar on the centering process.
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Seminar weekly notes and sketches 08/04/1980

Student Work, Seminar Course Notes

Authors:

Hiroshi Nakano, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

Five sets of student notes and sketches, twelve pages in total: 1) The Process of Orchid Drawing, 2-Apr-1980; 2) The Process of Bamboo Drawing, 17-Apr-1980; 3) The Process of Plum Tree Drawing, 24-Apr-1980; 4) My essential task, 28-Apr-1980; 5) The ...
Arch. 207, Spring 1980 - Advanced Topics in Geometry & Special Problems: Seminar notes on "How do the Centering Process and the Properties work together in a defined process?" 08/04/1980

Student Work, Seminar Course Notes

Authors:

Hansjoachim Neis, University of California Berkeley, College of Environmental Design, Department of Architecture, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

Seven pages of notes on the sequence of steps of the centering process.

SEE ALL Course Material

References

Scientific Research

Books