Lecture on “The Nature of Order”, given during Fall 1992

2-sided cassette tape of the third Fall semester lecture by Christopher Alexander, on “Building Layout Process”. The concept of “Centers” is explained as crucial for creating beautiful structures when addressed in parallel for two-dimensional and three-dimensional emerging centers; looked as one unified process of centering with the building becoming a tool used to enhance its surroundings. Real knowledge and feel of the site, a rough, 1:16″ volumetric model responding to the observed existing centers on site followed by the physical staked-out layout of volumes and the continuous back and forth adjustments were explained and illustrated by Christopher Alexander. Slides taken during the Eishin School design-development process as well as other larger scale projects were used to illustrate the sequence of necessary steps required. Alexander then talks about the next assignment of designing a tea garden and goes in detail on steps followed for creating a solid spatial pattern language for it.