Christopher Alexander’s “A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction” is a seminal work in architecture and urban planning. The book presents a series of patterns – general rules that can be used to design towns, buildings and other structures. It has been hugely influential in both the architectural community and beyond, shaping everything from housing developments to software design.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone with an interest in architecture or urban planning. It provides a wealth of useful information and ideas, and is a must-read for any designer or builder.
Pros :
- The book is filled with a wealth of practical wisdom and advice
- It presents a new way of thinking about architecture and urban planning
- It has been hugely influential in both the architectural community and beyond
Cons :
- It can be difficult to follow Alexander’s logic at times.
- The book is somewhat dated, with some of the examples no longer applicable.
- It can be overly prescriptive, dictating how things should be done rather than providing a range of options
Learn more about the author
Christopher Alexander is an architect and urban planner who has taught at universities around the world. He is the author of many books on architecture, including “A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction” and “The Timeless Way of Building”.
Reader Reviews
“This book is a must-read for anyone interested in architecture, urban planning or simply making their home more livable. The patterns presented are clear and concise, easy to understand and apply.”
“A Pattern Language is unquestionably one of the most important books ever published on design.”
“A Pattern Language is a must-read for anyone interested in architecture, urban planning, or simply how people interact with their surroundings. The book presents a series of patterns – general rules that can be used to design towns, buildings and other structures – which have been hugely influential in both the architectural community and beyond.”
“Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language is one of the most important books ever written about architecture, town planning and human ecology. First published in 1977, it has been cited more than any other book in professional journals dealing with architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and ecological engineering.”
