The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
archive.org
The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
1–10 of 20 posts
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#2Also on Archive.org is Alexander's A Pattern Language [1]. Although that book is also about the architecture of buildings, it inspired the idea of software design patterns [2].
[1] https://archive.org/details/APatternLanguage
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_design_pattern#Histor...
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#3His nature of order is an amazing read as well:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=...
Reading this besides something like Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a good exercise in seeing the world a little more clearly.
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#4"If I build a fireplace for myself, it is natural for me to make a place to put the wood, a corner to sit in, a mantle wide enough to put things on, an opening which lets the fire draw.
But, if I design fireplaces for other people - not for myself - then I never have to build a fire in the fireplaces I design. Gradually, my ideas become more and more influenced by style, and shape, and crazy notions - my feeling for the simple business of making fire leaves the fireplace all together."
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#5What is this supposed to be? All I'm getting is some doorslam about Archive.org's new site design.
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#6What is this supposed to be? All I'm getting is some doorslam about Archive.org's new site design.
Click "try it out" or whatever that big link in the middle says
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#7Also on Archive.org is Alexander's A Pattern Language [1]. Although that book is also about the architecture of buildings, it inspired the idea of software design patterns [2]. [1] https://archive.org/details/APatternLanguage [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_design_pattern#Histor...
It also influenced Steward Brand's HOW BUILDINGS LEARN: What Happens After They’re Built. The BBC's adaptation includes some interview with Alexander [1].
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#8I find this one more useful for residential building design, by the same author:
http://www.iwritewordsgood.com/apl/set.htm
Available in hardcover on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Language-Buildings-Constructio...
ATWoB is more philosophical, and lest about specific implementation.
APL includes nuggets along these lines: "Therefore: Make a public square much smaller than you would at first imagine; usually no more than 45 to 60 feet across, never more than 70 feet across. This applies only to its width in the short direction. In the long direction it can certainly be longer."
"When they have a choice, people will always gravitate to those rooms which have light on two sides, and leave the rooms which are lit only from one side unused and empty.[...]Therefore: Locate each room so that it has outdoor space outside it on at least two sides, and then place windows in these outdoor walls so that natural light falls into every room from more than one direction."
There are 253 patterns in the book, covering governed regions down to building wall details.
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#9Also on Archive.org is Alexander's A Pattern Language [1]. Although that book is also about the architecture of buildings, it inspired the idea of software design patterns [2]. [1] https://archive.org/details/APatternLanguage [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_design_pattern#Histor...
It also influenced Steward Brand's HOW BUILDINGS LEARN: What Happens After They’re Built . The BBC's adaptation includes some interview with Alexander [1]. [1] https://youtu.be/ZSaWdp833YM?t=12m57s
I especially like the concept in that video:
"A building is not something you finish, it is something you start"
This is no more truer than with software. Anyone who has had to write in-house software will appreciate that sentiment!
Re: The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
#10I find this one more useful for residential building design, by the same author: http://www.iwritewordsgood.com/apl/set.htm Available in hardcover on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Language-Buildings-Constructio... ATWoB is more philosophical, and lest about specific implementation. APL includes nuggets along these lines: "Therefore: Make a public square much smaller than you would at first imagine; usually no…
Thumbs up for APL.
Most of the patterns are based on common sense and practical experience. What's novel is that they're written down and cross-referenced.
I find myself frequently nodding my head in agreement while reading - it's immensely satisfying to see ideas in concrete form that have been floating about in my head for years.