Happiness is not a goal, it is a by-product.
—Eleanor Roosevelt

Christopher Alexander's A Pattern Language is considered by some the 'good book' of the architecture and urban planning world. He takes a systematic approach to organizing every detail of a city - from the big picture to the sidewalk. It's a chance to connect your sight of the forest and the trees. Take filtered light for example, one of my favorite things...

Problem:
Light filtered through leaves, or tracery, is wonderful. But why?

Solution:
Where the edge of a window or the overhanging eave of a roof is silhouetted against the sky, make a rich, detailed tapestry of light and dark, to break up the light and soften it.

Chris classifies filtered light as 'construction' in the subcategory called 'surface details'. From this little place in his book you can widen your view (goto natural doors and windows) or narrow to the microscale (goto climbing plants or warm colors). Like the Choose Your Own Adventure books, A Pattern Language gives you infinite possibilities and combinations as you slowly gain a fuller understanding of the full system of ideas.

Try a virtual demo of A Pattern Language.

Visit more moments in God's Country: the New River Valley.