Pattern Languages

 

Quote: Every individual in such society will have a unique language, shared in part, but which as a totality is unique to the mind of the person who has it.

 

Page 3 – 4 Summary:

Building and planning – theory and instructions for the use of the language have are very much parallel in concept. It is a span of knowledge which has continuously developed and grown over the period of eight years. The timeless way of building describes the fundamental nature of the task of making towns and buildings.

                Buildings and towns do not come alive unless our society and our people make them. Because they share something in common, otherwise known as the “pattern language”. It is described that the pattern language comes alive itself. One of these languages is known as the timeless way. It is a language that was distilled from building and planning efforts over the last eight years. This patten language being a problem which continuously occurs repeatedly. Furthermore, it than describes the solution which can be used repeatedly as well, without fail or repeating twice.

Page 5 – 6 Summary:

                Solutions are always stated in the form of an instruction. After the solution, there is a diagram which shows the solution of form of a diagram/chart which indicates the main components. After the diagram, three diamonds show the main body. Then the paragraph ties the pattern to all the smaller patterns in the language which are needed to complete the process.

                The patterns are ordered from large towns to small clusters of neighborhoods. Each pattern is connected to a certain larger patten which comes above a smaller patter in the language. It analyzes information and bases from the analysis, it generates a conclusion as to the means of the problem.

Page 7 – 8 Summary:

                These sequential patterns, in short which are the result from a problematic analysis which is typically found in these neighborhoods or cities, are what can be compared to a domino effect. No pattern is an isolated entity. To repair one problem, there must be a general sense of order before commencing a typical social issue. This is a beautiful outlook as to what patterns bring to societies. You cannot only fix issues in which best suits a certain person, or city. There should be a sense of order.

Page 9 – 10 Summary:

                With the information provided to the public about the status of patterns during this time, it is a constant evolving theory. It is said that it is continuously entering a common language which all of us share. Patterns are very much alive and may be looked upon as a hypothesis which may be confronted, analyzed, and solved as time continues.

                Pattern languages, can at some point in the future, be related to thousands of other languages that people will make for themselves in the future. Every society which is alive and whole, will have its own unique and distinct pattern language. The purpose of this book, as a first step in society wide process by which people will gradually become conscious of their own patter languages.

Page 11 – 13 Summary:

                Pattern languages took years to formulate. The generation of this technique was inevitable to pass it along in the hopes that it will be reused or advanced. It was hoped that in the process, it may hopefully bring someone much joy. The pattern language was so deeply rooted in things, that it seems likely that they will be a part of human nature and human action.

                It has the structure of a network, but is performed in a formal sequence going through, moving always from the larger patterns, to the smallest.  The sequence of patterns is both a summary of th language and the index to the patterns.

Page 35 – 36 Summary:

                In the English language, each word and sentence are singular. It defines and carries only one single meaning. While in poetry, the opposite stands true. It is far denser and more complex, and carries out a structure of definition, complexity and meaning which can be deciphered in several different ways. The same holds true pattern languages. A building is often compared as a structure composed of assembly patterns.

                In connections with words in our modern language, tend to find ways to illuminate our lives as well. The same thing stands true in design. When comparing to components or similar languages that entails co-mingling humans with a natural element we need to survive and bring into this equation a similar element from nature, it not only solves an issue but also illuminates what can be constructed using a process.

Page 37 – 38 Summary:

                Compression illuminates each if the patterns and sheds light on its meaning. Everyone tends to use compression; it is always drawn out from the connections between words which are given by the language. The compression of patterns into a single space is not a poetic and exotic thing, it keeps for special buildings which are special works of art.

Pattern Language 58 – Carnival:

“In the communities and neighborhoods, provide public open land where people can relax, rub shoulders, and renew themselves.”

                When I took a trip Orlando where amid a community there is this one location called Icon park. It is a vast relaxation hub that incorporates both amenities, relaxation areas, and a very large Ferris wheel which overlooks the entire city. It is a beautiful spectacle to see, and a great outdoor space.

Pattern Language 38 – Row Houses:

“Around these centers, provide for the growth of housing in the form of clusters, based on face-to-face human groups.”

 

            Around my community, there is a rich commodity of row houses. They are typically seen consistently throughout Jamaica Queens. I also have many friends who do live in row houses. One of my most interesting experiences when it comes to row houses, is hearing the story of an old professor of mine. While I was completing my associates, he would always tell us this story of a row house he renovated in Astoria. The clients wanted to stand out from the tedious and repetitious design of the neighborhood, so he revamped the appearance and materials of the façade and let’s say it now definitely stands out. It has since been voted in the newspaper during the time as “the ugliest house in Queens”. It has obtained many names throughout the years, such as the “Lego House”.

 

Easy on the Environment, but Not Necessarily the Eyes - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

 

Keywords:

Pattern Language - A pattern language is an organized and coherent set of patterns, each of which describes a problem and the core of a solution that can be used in many ways within a specific field of expertise. The term was coined by architect Christopher Alexander and popularized by his 1977 book A Pattern Language.

Empirical - based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

Embellish - to make beautiful with ornamentation: decorate a book embellished with illustrations.

Subculture boundary - A cultural boundary, or cultural area, defines a geographic area wherein a group of people share the same cultural practices and traditions.

Invariant - never changing.

Archetypal – very typical of a certain kind of person or thing.