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tence of all of its parts, and a part itself cannot exist if it is not part of the whole. We identified in the
discourse of Pattern language, Morphogenetic sequences and the Generative code that there are 15
specific fundamental properties present, both in good structures and in Nature, supporting an argument that this formula leads to a good liveable and sustainable built environment; this includes a set
of patterns, a system of explicit steps for creating living structures within the fabric of a place.
The theory of wholeness defines a generative process where there is always a sequence, an order,
instructions that follow the rule of centres that appear within the larger whole as distinct and noticeable parts. This generative process (the generative code) is capable of driving the organic unfolding of
a place in such a way that people who live and work in that place have a healthy connection to the
whole, and this makes the place alive, exhibiting properties of living structures (Neis et al., 2012).
Through the 15 fundamental properties [of wholeness], we identified that throughout nature it is evident that patterns link all the parts together. This is evident in the geometric order of all phenomena,
as demonstrated in the Mandelbrot Set, the Koch Curve, and complex symmetrical structures in nature
such as snowflakes, flowers, the honeycomb, and the nautilus shell amongst others (Stark, 2012;
Mehaffy, 2009a; Nelson, 2005).
The review of this Chapter hence results in the formulation of the following questions: How can
these principles of the pattern language, morphogenetic sequences, and the generative code be applied
in the context of adaptation, regeneration and a changing environment? How can generative processes in the context of regenerative and adaptive design help to solve contemporary problems of the
built environment and its connected natural ones? The message is made clear in Alexander’s work,
whereby the patterns of a healing kind and morphogenetic growth are already all around us. We can
find them in the structures of nature and in the processes that produce them. We can find patterns in
the collective intelligence of traditional structures and Aboriginal knowledge, ready to be revived and
regenerated, as part of the living structure of our collective future environment (Mehaffy, 2009b). The
regenerative-adaptive pattern language offers a holistic approach, informed by nature, for settlement
planning and design (Roös & Jones, 2017). We explore in the next chapter (Chap. 11) the details of
the development of the regenerative-adaptive pattern language.
Therefore:
When we practice ecological design and planning, as well as in regenerative design for sustainable
development, the consideration of the whole is essential. Wholeness thinking recognizes that the
entirety is interconnected, and the unfolding of the whole creates living structures. The 15 fundamental properties of wholeness must be used in association with the generative processes of design, which
are patterns and pattern languages, morphogenetic sequences, and the generative code.
9.10 Fundamental Pattern 9
Transformations Of Wholeness [9]
The unfolding of Nature’s wholeness at later stages is embedded in earlier stages’ process
patterns and structure. Wholeness is a product of ordered generative instructional sequences
that follow the ‘rule of centres’ in which noticeable parts appear distinctly within the larger
whole. Therefore, practice regeneration as a process of wholeness transformations (Fig. 9.24).
Downward links:
The incremental process of Transformations Of Wholeness [9] recognises that the entirety of all is interconnected, and the unfolding of The Whole [1] through the 15 fundamental properties of wholeness creates
living structures. These transformations within Regenerative Ecosystems [8] require us to consider the
dynamic forces of nature and culture, and to deal with this complexity of significant change through the application of the Notion Of Regenerative-Adaptive Patterns [10] …
9.10 Fundamental Pattern 9
tence of all of its parts, and a part itself cannot exist if it is not part of the whole. We identified in the
discourse of Pattern language, Morphogenetic sequences and the Generative code that there are 15
specific fundamental properties present, both in good structures and in Nature, supporting an argument that this formula leads to a good liveable and sustainable built environment; this includes a set
of patterns, a system of explicit steps for creating living structures within the fabric of a place.
The theory of wholeness defines a generative process where there is always a sequence, an order,
instructions that follow the rule of centres that appear within the larger whole as distinct and noticeable parts. This generative process (the generative code) is capable of driving the organic unfolding of
a place in such a way that people who live and work in that place have a healthy connection to the
whole, and this makes the place alive, exhibiting properties of living structures (Neis et al., 2012).
Through the 15 fundamental properties [of wholeness], we identified that throughout nature it is evident that patterns link all the parts together. This is evident in the geometric order of all phenomena,
as demonstrated in the Mandelbrot Set, the Koch Curve, and complex symmetrical structures in nature
such as snowflakes, flowers, the honeycomb, and the nautilus shell amongst others (Stark, 2012;
Mehaffy, 2009a; Nelson, 2005).
The review of this Chapter hence results in the formulation of the following questions: How can
these principles of the pattern language, morphogenetic sequences, and the generative code be applied
in the context of adaptation, regeneration and a changing environment? How can generative processes in the context of regenerative and adaptive design help to solve contemporary problems of the
built environment and its connected natural ones? The message is made clear in Alexander’s work,
whereby the patterns of a healing kind and morphogenetic growth are already all around us. We can
find them in the structures of nature and in the processes that produce them. We can find patterns in
the collective intelligence of traditional structures and Aboriginal knowledge, ready to be revived and
regenerated, as part of the living structure of our collective future environment (Mehaffy, 2009b). The
regenerative-adaptive pattern language offers a holistic approach, informed by nature, for settlement
planning and design (Roös & Jones, 2017). We explore in the next chapter (Chap. 11) the details of
the development of the regenerative-adaptive pattern language.
Therefore:
When we practice ecological design and planning, as well as in regenerative design for sustainable
development, the consideration of the whole is essential. Wholeness thinking recognizes that the
entirety is interconnected, and the unfolding of the whole creates living structures. The 15 fundamental properties of wholeness must be used in association with the generative processes of design, which
are patterns and pattern languages, morphogenetic sequences, and the generative code.
9.10 Fundamental Pattern 9
Transformations Of Wholeness [9]
The unfolding of Nature’s wholeness at later stages is embedded in earlier stages’ process
patterns and structure. Wholeness is a product of ordered generative instructional sequences
that follow the ‘rule of centres’ in which noticeable parts appear distinctly within the larger
whole. Therefore, practice regeneration as a process of wholeness transformations (Fig. 9.24).
Downward links:
The incremental process of Transformations Of Wholeness [9] recognises that the entirety of all is interconnected, and the unfolding of The Whole [1] through the 15 fundamental properties of wholeness creates
living structures. These transformations within Regenerative Ecosystems [8] require us to consider the
dynamic forces of nature and culture, and to deal with this complexity of significant change through the application of the Notion Of Regenerative-Adaptive Patterns [10] …
9.10 Fundamental Pattern 9