Pattern Language: Book early version

01/01/1967
Book Early Version, Partial Manuscript

Versions of early thoughts discussing concepts relating to the nature of a universal pattern language which would be able to create wholeness in the built environment. The Table of Contents lists the following chapters:
1) What is a Whole Environment: Wholeness – Wholeness of an Individual Person – Definition of an Environment – Definition of Environmental Structure – Definition of a “Whole” Environment – Like Nature; 2) Pattern Language: Definition of Pattern Language – Environment Gets its Structure from Pattern Languages – Babel of Pattern Language Cannot Generate a “Whole” Environment; 3) Universal Pattern Language: What then is Design, Evolution of Universal Language – Specifications for a Universal Language; 4) A Pattern: How to Express Design Ideas – Formal Definition of a Pattern – Subculture Cells Example – All Design Ideas Can be Expressed as Patterns; 5) Pattern Language: Language as Memory – Abstract Structure of Language – Arrangement of Language in an Evolving Book – Use of Memory, Construction Relevant Sublanguage; 6) Synthesis: Pattern Language is Creative – Rules of Synthesis – Examples of Berkeley Housing – Form, Consistency, Unity – Generating True Variety; 7) Functional Validity: Need for Objective Criterion of Validity – Normal Form for Problem Statement, Tendencies – Conditions Which a Pattern Must Meet – Stress is Cumulative – Theory of Goals and Objectives not Correct – Non-Purposive Nature of Design – Examples of 7 Ages of Men, Compete Culture Designed – House Entrances; 8) Changes in the Profession: Change in Attitude, Community of Designers, not Ego – Change in Professional Practice and Education – Transmission of Language: Everyone in Society a Designer – Technology of Process; 9) Poem: Language, an Effort to Build a Unified Picture – Language as a Poem of Life – Language as Creator of Consciousness.

Authors:
Christopher Alexander, Center for Environmental Structure, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.