Design Patterns and Living Architecture

by Nikos A. Salingaros

This collection of articles describes how to use design patterns to create better — more emotionally-responsive and human — architectural environments. The pattern concept was introduced by Christopher Alexander and his collaborators in 1977, and has enjoyed wide success outside architectural culture. For various reasons, this design method and its accompanying philosophy of adaptation have not yet entered the architectural mainstream. Nor are design patterns taught at universities on a regular basis, since academics correctly perceive them as representing the opposite of formalistic design (and clearly privilege the second methodology). This booklet has three rather ambitious To educate practicing architects and the general public on why design patterns are both useful and necessary. To explain how the pattern method applied to the built environment contains the seeds for adaptive design. To establish the scientific validity for design patterns, while invalidating methods based on fashion. “This book very successfully combines a layperson’s approach with more in-depth scientific and technical knowledge. To my delight, my instinctive selection of surroundings, buildings, and interior design are largely in agreement with the principles of living architecture. As a physician, my special attention was drawn to the correlation of physical and mental wellbeing with living design patterns. I highly recommend this wonderful booklet.” — Marielle Blum, MD

Genres: Architecture

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2017

Reviews

[Parmisol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Salingaros basically points out the major concepts proposed by Cristopher Alexander (with whom he had academic collaborations I assume) and tries to convince us how his rules are essential for a so called "healthy' architecture promoting our mental wellbeing. I have been skeptical about the validity of Cristopher Alexander Theories since I basically find it a nostalgic interplay between complex matters in contemporary societies and classical and neoclassical era of architecture.(he keeps referring to the elements and standards of 16th and 17th century Western Architecture as model of excellence). but this book still gives a good insight on basically how the scientific discourse is trying to impact a discipline, in which lots complex matters, not justifiable by Science only, are playing an active rule,.

[Ms Caireen J Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius

Salingaros explains why architects and planners are getting it wrong. The best thinker on building and urban design there is.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational read, I wished this book existed when I was an architecture student back in the late 2000s, utterly frustrated by the paradigm imposed by the architectural education.