A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction

Summary

253 interlinked patterns, from regions down to rooms, each naming a recurring problem and a solution. Written so non-experts can design their own environments.

Why it’s useful here

The model for the wiki’s “Pattern Language for Community Tech.” Its format and its aim of putting design in users’ hands both carry over. It also directly influenced software design patterns and Ward Cunningham’s original wiki.

Key ideas

• Pattern format: context → problem → discussion → “therefore” solution
• Patterns nest: larger patterns are completed by smaller ones
• Design by the people who live with the result

Related

• alexander-1979-timeless-way-of-building.md
• templates/wiki-pattern.md