Christopher Alexander and the Art of Building
In both A Pattern Language and The Nature of Order Christopher Alexander endeavors to create authentic and "alive" spaces through an organic process of design. His mathematically reinforced patterns, based on ideal function and conceptions of beauty, can be applied to areas as large as cities and as small as individual shelving units. Alexander posits that the patterns allow for optimized design, where desirable relationships between each piece work in perfect unison. Within this theoretical framework, Alexander has outlined his own art of building that can, hypothetically, be followed by others who wish to use it. Most of his theories and writings in this area contain strong points for consideration; this being said, the forced patterns of desirable relationships described by Alexander are also restrictive. Additionally, his ideas about definable beauty make individual creativity irrelevant in his designs, making his methods somewhat flawed in respect to varying taste. The development of Christopher Alexander's theories comes from his strong background in both mathematics and architecture (Kohn 2002). In his earliest works he suggested that designers should identify project requirements and create diagrams to show the interrel
Where Alexander and pattern language seem to have the most impact is in interior design. In a dwelling structure, this might constitute a core, shared living space with alcoves and smaller areas spreading from it. The result it a limiting methodology that tends toward the traditional. However, a number of important concepts emerge from Alexander's designs and writing. What he insists in the result of research of natural and unnatural spaces, others might call "an eye for color". Adults in such a space will, again, be out of their element here. According to Alexander, all of these rooms should have windows on at least two sides (Kohn 2002). The use of color in alternating repetitions works with contrast to create light and life within the space (Kohn 2002). At its simplest, this is a matter of giving individual buildings views and surrounding spaces that are conducive to Alexander's ideals of beauty. These concepts all work together at different levels, as will be described. He found that the relationship between green space and effort only went so far-meaning that green spaces needed to happen at periodic intervals so that no one had to go very far in order to take advantage of these recreational spaces. He emphasizes the need for buildings to have strong centers (Kohn 2002). While not everyone requires or desires the traditional "definable" beauty that Alexander has identified, it is necessary to know why we perceive certain designs and spaces as beautiful and comfortable. However, considerations like the distance of schools, parks, thoroughfares, and bus stops are extremely relevant to the success of many structures and should be incorporated into a design when possible. Perhaps unhappy with interior design as unscientific and un-mathematical, Alexander attempts to apply his rules of logic and patterning to color choice.
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