Go BackThe Quality without a Name
Christopher Alexander's research for a central quality which he named "the quality without a name", was a search for those attributes and circumstances which give life to events, relationships, buildings and spaces. It set the foundation for identifying the patterns which would allow this quality to manifest itself. It set the theoretical background for recognizing and appreciating the qualities and structure of space and what kind of process could produce it. He highlighted the importance of observation and experimentation, the sharing of pattern languages with the people who inhabit and use a space and learning from them.
It is important to note that this research was financially supported by the National Institute of Mental Health through the Environmental Pattern Language Research Grant.
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Thoughts and Arguments Explored and Developed
There is a central quality which is the root criterion for life and spirit
This quality is objective and precise
Every place is given its character by certain patterns of events that keep on happening there
These patterns of events are always interlocked with certain geometric patterns of space
Being alive – Patterns which are alive
Feeling as a criterion for recognizing this quality
References
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The Timeless Way of Building
1979
“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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Christopher Alexander - The Search for a New Paradigm in Architecture
1983
Dr. 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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American Institute of Architects Research Gold Medal
07/05/1972
The American Institute of Architects awarded to Christopher J. Alexander, professor of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, the 1972 Research Gold Medal. The first recepient of the award, in recognition of his contributions to “an increased understanding of ...
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Research Seminar by The Center for Environmental Structure, an independent non- profit organization, incorporated in late March 1967, and set up to create an environmental pattern language
01/07/1967 to
30/09/1967
Research seminar on the question of the structure and formulation of a pattern and a pattern language, and the process and activities required for their development. The basic concepts introduced were those of “an environmental pattern” and of “an environmetal ...
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Lecture on "The Organization of the Design Pattern"
18/07/1968
SEE ALL Public Events
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The Timeless Way of Building - Part 3: Book early version titled "The Way" (referenced as Book 3)
01/01/1973
Typewritten draft and notes, including what seems to be commentary from someone else for “Book Three – The Way”.
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The Timeless Way of Building - Part 2: Book early version titled "The Gate" (referenced as Book 2)
01/01/1973
Compilation of hand and typewritten comments, defects, changes related to “The Timeless Way of Building – Part 2: The Gate”.
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The Timeless Way of Building - Chapter 17: The Archetypal Core
01/01/1973
102 pages focused on “The Gate” concepts of the book, with a first section without a chapter reference, preceding the chapter 17 discussion. A typewritten draft on the discussion of core concepts related to creating a living pattern language, containing ...
SEE ALL Manuscripts
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Environmental Pattern Language Research Grant: Notice of Grant Awarded
22/02/1971
Official File Copy of the approved budget of direct and indirect costs in accordance with the Applicable Cost-Sharing Agreement, for the Environmental Pattern Language project.
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Environmental Pattern Language Research Grant: Authorization for Transfer of Grant Funds
21/10/1971
Approval of transfer of funds under the cost-sharing proposal.
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Environmental Pattern Language Research Grant: Notice of Grant Awarded
12/01/1972
Official file copy of the approved re-budgeting of unexpended funds for the Environmental Pattern Language project and the extension of grant period –noted by hand– from 31-Aug-1972 up to 31-Dec-1973.
SEE ALL Records
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A Progress Report on the Pattern Language
07/07/1968
37-page final draft of a paper prepared after a seminar by Christopher Alexander in 1967-68. Prepared as an attempt to explain simply what is meant by “patterns” and “pattern language”. Paper was published in 1970 as an article.
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Patterns of Natural Design
01/08/1972
Draft paper on the co-occurrence of a natural design process and an explicit pattern language.