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basalt, and the vertical branching cracks of a palm tree trunk (Stevens, 1974, p. 208). Pattern formations that are spontaneously created include the mosaic of a honeycomb, the branching of leaves, the
transition of feathers of the Guinea fowl, and the lattice framework of the male cone of the queen sago
cycad (Ball, 2009, pp. 168–180). Alexander argues that these good shapes all have the same property:
the presence of a centre surrounded by a combination of minor centres. Good shapes arise because
each part exists as a geometric centre, which gets intensified by the other centres (Alexander, 2001–
2005a, p. 264).
Fig. 9.11 Altering repetition of a great wave, spirals and curves. Similar altering repetition of shapes evident in the
landscape of mountains and trees. (Drawing by Jesse Delmo, synthesised by Roös)
Fig. 9.12 Positive space
in the cracks of
porcelain, and formation
of crystals. (Drawing by
Jesse Delmo,
synthesised by Roös)
9 Living Structures: The Fundamental Properties of Wholeness
basalt, and the vertical branching cracks of a palm tree trunk (Stevens, 1974, p. 208). Pattern formations that are spontaneously created include the mosaic of a honeycomb, the branching of leaves, the
transition of feathers of the Guinea fowl, and the lattice framework of the male cone of the queen sago
cycad (Ball, 2009, pp. 168–180). Alexander argues that these good shapes all have the same property:
the presence of a centre surrounded by a combination of minor centres. Good shapes arise because
each part exists as a geometric centre, which gets intensified by the other centres (Alexander, 2001–
2005a, p. 264).
Fig. 9.11 Altering repetition of a great wave, spirals and curves. Similar altering repetition of shapes evident in the
landscape of mountains and trees. (Drawing by Jesse Delmo, synthesised by Roös)
Fig. 9.12 Positive space
in the cracks of
porcelain, and formation
of crystals. (Drawing by
Jesse Delmo,
synthesised by Roös)
9 Living Structures: The Fundamental Properties of Wholeness