SI658 Winter 2015analysis

Christopher Alexander The Timeless Way of Building Oxford University Press, New York 1979

Christopher Alexander The Timeless Way of Building Oxford University Press, New York 1979

I like complexity and contradiction in architecture…I like elements which are hybrid rather than “pure,” compromising rather than “clean,” distorted rather than “straightforward,” ambiguous rather than “articulated,” perverse as well as impersonal, boring as well as “interesting,” conventional rather than “designed,” inconsistent and equivocal rather than direct and clear. I am for messy vitality over obvious unity.

Robert VenturiComplexity and Contradiction in Architecture Museum of Modern Art Papers on Architecture (1);Museum of Modern Art, New York 1966

FIRMNESS

COMMODITY

DELIGHT

COMPLEX

SIMPLE

SIMPLE COMPLEX

Goals

Means

Goals

Means

“Architecture is necessarily complex & contradictory in its very inclusion of the traditional Vitruvian elements”

Photo: Melissa Mahoney

“There is no right way.”

There is a single, solid, objective basis for the difference between good building and badChristopher Alexander The Timeless Way of Building Oxford University Press, New York 1979

Christopher Alexander The Timeless Way of Building Oxford University Press, New York 1979

Unité d’habitation 1952LeCorbusier

Chartres Cathedral Palazzo Chiericati

I don't fully follow what you're saying. It never occurred to me that someone could so explicitly reject the core experience of something like Chartres. It's very interesting to have this conversation. If this weren't a public situation, I'd be tempted to get into this on a psychiatric level. I'm actually quite serious about this. What I'm saying is that I understand how one could be very panicked by these kinds of feelings. Actually, it's been my impression that a large part of the history of modern architecture has been a kind of panicked withdrawal from these kinds of feelings, which have governed the formation of buildings over the last 2000 years or so.

Why that panicked withdrawal occurred, I'm still trying to find out. It's not clear to me. But I've never heard somebody say, until a few moments ago, someone say explicitly: "Yes, I find that stuff freaky. I don't like to deal with feelings. I like to deal with ideas." Then, of course, what follows is very clear. You would like the Palladio building; you would not be particularly happy with Chartres, and so forth.

http://www.katarxis3.com/Alexander_Eisenman_Debate.htm

Christopher Alexander The Timeless Way of Building Oxford University Press, New York 1979

Christopher Alexander The Timeless Way of Building Oxford University Press, New York 1979

Christopher Alexander The Timeless Way of Building Oxford University Press, New York 1979

1. What Are The Patterns?2. How Would Our Architect

Use Alexandrian Pattern Language?

3. How Would Our ArchitectMake Pattern Language for iTunes?

1. Architect’s POV Recap2. Intention Model3. Vitruvian / Venturi Models4. Pattern Language5. Taxonomy6. Facilitate UI Design Jam

Final Presentations: 1hr/ea