Notes on Chapter 6

Patterns Which Are Alive

Class or Homework exercise.

Before studying Chapter 6 using the ideas of Christopher Alexander that you have seen so far, on a transparency design a courtyard that is alive. Show this to the class and explain it.

Chapter 6

A city that’s lives let’s our inner forces loose, a dead one locks them up
Character of a city comes from repeating patterns.

A man is alive when he not in conflict with his internal forces.
This can’t be achieved through inner work alone.

Alexander believed it is influenced by one’s surroundings. Some places make us feel alive others make it more difficult.

E.g 1 Work and family separation

– when family/work relationship is good we come alive.

When children are present or close to the work of parents then there is less conflict. Children observe parents working, understand the adult world.

Modern families, fathers faces his children when he is most tired.
A working woman is compromised between being masculine and feminine p108.

Eg 2 Courtyard

Properly formed helps people come alive
People seek:
Privacy
Sky
Sun
Plants and flowers

When a courtyard is to enclosed with no view people feel uncomfortable and stay away cf Prague guesthouse Alabaster. Courtyard with windows – felt like being stared at – people stayed away.
People need to see out to a larger and more distant space.
A courtyard should be a place where people pass in and out – crossing paths from different rooms
Should have multiple purposes
Requires a transitional area to accommodate people’s timidity eg a porch or veranda
Here forces resolve themselves.