ISBN: 0195019199
This is an architectural "Bible" as well as an extraordinary example of communication. This book identifies and catalogs many architectural patterns of design and allows architects and clients to discuss buildings in a new way that is both abbreviated and precise. If only other disciplines could develop similar pattern languages as well.
Examples of patterns range from the village scale down to small architectural features within rooms and have titles like "LACE OF COUNTRY STREETS", "BED ALCOVES", "TRELLISED WALK", "TREE PLACES", "POOLS OF LIGHT"-- a total of 253 patterns in all. If you are contemplating building a home, workplace or small village, you'd be well advised to read this book and consider the potential role of each pattern in your design. It's all about making the created environment (buildings and gardens) reflect the needs of the people, instead of slapping together spec houses that people must warp their lifestyles to fit into.
