11
Undeniably, the fundamental properties of a pattern language originate with Alexander’s (1979)
argument, whereby he questions the creation of living structures and the need of a code, like the
genetic one, for the acts of building:
So, I began to wonder if there was a code, like the genetic code, for human acts of building? Is there a fluid code,
which generates the ‘quality without a name’ in buildings, and make things live? Is there some process which
takes place inside a person’s mind, when he allows himself to generate a building or a place which is alive? And
is there indeed a process which is so simple too, that all the people of society can use it, and so generate not only
individual buildings, but whole neighbourhoods and towns? It turns out that there is. It takes the form of a language (Alexander, 1979, p. 166).
A typical pattern language can also be an endeavour to articulate the wisdom of what brings ‘aliveness’ within a particular field of undertaking, through a set of interrelated patterns. ‘Aliveness’ is a
term used to encapsulate the statement of ‘quality without a name’, in essence representing a sense of
spirit, grace or of wholeness, which while of varying form, is precise and empirically verifiable
(Alexander, 1979).
The core of the pattern language system is the solving of problems that occur over and over in
our environment. To deal with this complexity, it is necessary to use a simple, straightforward structure to represent the pattern. Alexander’s pattern (Alexander et al., 1977; Mehaffy, 2010, p. 103)
consists of:
1. A pattern title, written in Small Caps;
2. Main iconic and representative image, conveying the nature of the configuration and adding a
qualitative dimension to the quantitative analysis;
3. Upward links, connecting the pattern to ‘upper’ patterns that may contain it and others;
4. Problem statement in bold, giving the configuration of the problem;
5. Discussion, assessing the associated issues to be discussed and addressed;
6. Solution statement in bold, describing the configuration of the solution;
7. Diagram, a sketch or cartoon of the solution with simple notes;
8. Downward links, connecting the pattern to ‘lower’ patterns that it may contain.
This system allows for nested hierarchical relationships, with overlaps, cross-linkages, and ambiguities. As the patterns combines into a system, into a ‘language’, these overlapping relationships
creates a stronger, subtle and more complex kind of structure that is evident in the systems of nature.
Therefore, the structure of this book follows a similar structure to that of A Pattern Language
(Alexander et al., 1977), and is set out as follows:
1. Title of the Chapter;
2. Abstract, which sets out the context;
3. Main representative image, which conveys the overall message from the chapter, or the fundamental patterns identified;
4. Upward links, which connect the fundamental pattern in the chapter to ‘upper’ fundamental patterns in previous chapters and key topics;
5. An introduction, giving the overview;
6. Discussion, the main body text of the chapter that provide details of the topic and detail context
that supports the new fundamental pattern identified;
7. Conclusion Statement, providing a brief summary of the discussions and describes the configuration of a solution;
8. Fundamental Pattern, newly identified or developed as a result from the chapter discussion, with
the pattern name written in Small Caps;
9. Diagram, a sketch or cartoon with simple notes about the new identified fundamental pattern;
10. Downward links, which connect the fundamental pattern in the chapter to ‘lower’ fundamental
patterns in forthcoming chapters and key topics.
1.6 A Pattern Language Approach
Undeniably, the fundamental properties of a pattern language originate with Alexander’s (1979)
argument, whereby he questions the creation of living structures and the need of a code, like the
genetic one, for the acts of building:
So, I began to wonder if there was a code, like the genetic code, for human acts of building? Is there a fluid code,
which generates the ‘quality without a name’ in buildings, and make things live? Is there some process which
takes place inside a person’s mind, when he allows himself to generate a building or a place which is alive? And
is there indeed a process which is so simple too, that all the people of society can use it, and so generate not only
individual buildings, but whole neighbourhoods and towns? It turns out that there is. It takes the form of a language (Alexander, 1979, p. 166).
A typical pattern language can also be an endeavour to articulate the wisdom of what brings ‘aliveness’ within a particular field of undertaking, through a set of interrelated patterns. ‘Aliveness’ is a
term used to encapsulate the statement of ‘quality without a name’, in essence representing a sense of
spirit, grace or of wholeness, which while of varying form, is precise and empirically verifiable
(Alexander, 1979).
The core of the pattern language system is the solving of problems that occur over and over in
our environment. To deal with this complexity, it is necessary to use a simple, straightforward structure to represent the pattern. Alexander’s pattern (Alexander et al., 1977; Mehaffy, 2010, p. 103)
consists of:
1. A pattern title, written in Small Caps;
2. Main iconic and representative image, conveying the nature of the configuration and adding a
qualitative dimension to the quantitative analysis;
3. Upward links, connecting the pattern to ‘upper’ patterns that may contain it and others;
4. Problem statement in bold, giving the configuration of the problem;
5. Discussion, assessing the associated issues to be discussed and addressed;
6. Solution statement in bold, describing the configuration of the solution;
7. Diagram, a sketch or cartoon of the solution with simple notes;
8. Downward links, connecting the pattern to ‘lower’ patterns that it may contain.
This system allows for nested hierarchical relationships, with overlaps, cross-linkages, and ambiguities. As the patterns combines into a system, into a ‘language’, these overlapping relationships
creates a stronger, subtle and more complex kind of structure that is evident in the systems of nature.
Therefore, the structure of this book follows a similar structure to that of A Pattern Language
(Alexander et al., 1977), and is set out as follows:
1. Title of the Chapter;
2. Abstract, which sets out the context;
3. Main representative image, which conveys the overall message from the chapter, or the fundamental patterns identified;
4. Upward links, which connect the fundamental pattern in the chapter to ‘upper’ fundamental patterns in previous chapters and key topics;
5. An introduction, giving the overview;
6. Discussion, the main body text of the chapter that provide details of the topic and detail context
that supports the new fundamental pattern identified;
7. Conclusion Statement, providing a brief summary of the discussions and describes the configuration of a solution;
8. Fundamental Pattern, newly identified or developed as a result from the chapter discussion, with
the pattern name written in Small Caps;
9. Diagram, a sketch or cartoon with simple notes about the new identified fundamental pattern;
10. Downward links, which connect the fundamental pattern in the chapter to ‘lower’ fundamental
patterns in forthcoming chapters and key topics.
1.6 A Pattern Language Approach