Notes on Chapter 2

The Quality Without A Name

Alexander argues that architects are taught that it is impossible to determine whether a building is good or bad because these are subjective concepts. But Alexander does not accept this. For him a good building promotes life, creativity and happiness, a bad building is self-destructive and generates conflict and misery.

The reason it is widely believed that there is no such thing as a good or bad building is “… because the central quality which makes the difference cannot be named.” P25. This mysterious quality according to Alexander is the essence of life and Nature itself, and when it is found in a building, it is appreciated and loved. He then sets out the characteristics of this ‘quality without a name’.

It is variable and depends on its surroundings. It is free of inner contradictions. We know this ourselves as a deep sense of feeling of well-being. It is true to itself. An atom for example just 'is', there is no question that it 'ought to be' something else. A building that has the mysterious quality would be the same as an atom in this respect.

People struggle to become true to themselves. Those that find this appear 'more real'.

Freedom from inner contradiction makes things alive. This is a oneness.

This quality can't be named. It is a precise concept but words are inadequate.
It contain ideas such as:
Alive
Whole
Comfortable
Free
Exact
Bitter/sweet - related to death