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emilybriano's review
4.0
Let's just say I browsed this one, OK :-)
I heard about it from Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin. I wanted to read it because it sounded like an interesting perspective on design. It makes one so much more aware of one's surroundings and how good design can greatly enhance one's emotional and mental satisfaction. Light on two sides of a room! The importance of the location and design of a Couple's Retreat! The joys of a Window Seat!
I heard about it from Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin. I wanted to read it because it sounded like an interesting perspective on design. It makes one so much more aware of one's surroundings and how good design can greatly enhance one's emotional and mental satisfaction. Light on two sides of a room! The importance of the location and design of a Couple's Retreat! The joys of a Window Seat!
yates9's review
4.0
A singular multidisciplinary text that offers models for something like urban planning components of different scales and scope. Really an extremely interesting model of metadesign guidelines that are driven by humanist outcomes.
Anyone dealing with complex nultiscale systems and design should at least review the approach taken with this text.
Problems with the specifix approach are:
- overly culturally “western”
- many big decisions are made without detailed evidence
- there is an assumption of shared values that are not a given
- the book leaves open contextual problems that can emerge from bad application of these patterns
Extremely interesting text..
Anyone dealing with complex nultiscale systems and design should at least review the approach taken with this text.
Problems with the specifix approach are:
- overly culturally “western”
- many big decisions are made without detailed evidence
- there is an assumption of shared values that are not a given
- the book leaves open contextual problems that can emerge from bad application of these patterns
Extremely interesting text..
kaden_kirtley's review
5.0
Less an architecture book and more a philosophy on space. Very dense reading and I only made it through the first section on towns before giving up. Very interesting thoughts on how society could be set up if we prioritized people over profit. It’s been fifty years since the book’s release so that ship has likely sailed.
erikars's review
Finished A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, and Murray Silverstein. For anyone interested in urban design, place making, or the design of interior spaces, this book is a must read, or at least a must skim.
A Pattern Language is a catalog of 253 patterns that cover everything from the layout of cities down to the layout of rooms. Some of the patterns have been criticized, particularly those dealing with the layout of cities and towns, but overall, the patterns provide a rich guide to what makes a place feel good.
Especially with regard to designing homes, A Pattern Language stands out from other books because it does not suggest one size sets all rules. A design can combine patterns in different ways depending on the specific constraints. No "look" or "style" defines a pattern built home. The authors consider some patterns fundamental enough that they should always be used (e.g. light on at least two sides of every room), but ultimately patterns define the essence of those factors which have made for good places across different eras, styles, and locales.
This book was pivotal in the design of my own home.
(Note: As of 18 Mar 2017, Dan is borrowing this)
A Pattern Language is a catalog of 253 patterns that cover everything from the layout of cities down to the layout of rooms. Some of the patterns have been criticized, particularly those dealing with the layout of cities and towns, but overall, the patterns provide a rich guide to what makes a place feel good.
Especially with regard to designing homes, A Pattern Language stands out from other books because it does not suggest one size sets all rules. A design can combine patterns in different ways depending on the specific constraints. No "look" or "style" defines a pattern built home. The authors consider some patterns fundamental enough that they should always be used (e.g. light on at least two sides of every room), but ultimately patterns define the essence of those factors which have made for good places across different eras, styles, and locales.
This book was pivotal in the design of my own home.
(Note: As of 18 Mar 2017, Dan is borrowing this)
turnercore's review
5.0
This is one of the best books I've ever read. Amazing insights on how people live and use spaces, I consider this almost a philosophy book in addition to being required reading for anyone who has any influence on how spaces are designed, decorated, or laid out. Everyone should read this and we'd live in a more harmonious world.