Early and Unpublished Writings of Christopher Alexander: Thinking, Building, Writing

Howard Davis

Aug 2022 · Taylor & Francis

About this ebook

This book brings together key works of the noted architect and architectural theorist Christopher Alexander (1936–2022), many of which have not been published before. The book contains twenty-five essays and other works, many chosen from the newly organized Christopher Alexander archive, providing a window into the ideas and thought process of one of the most innovative architectural thinkers of the twentieth century. The items span Alexander’s fifty-year career, beginning with an early version of his PhD dissertation based on fieldwork in India, continuing to fifteen years in the development of A Pattern Language, one of the best-selling books in the history of architecture, and proceeding to the writing of The Nature of Order, Alexander’s four-volume masterwork, and beyond. The writings combine theory and descriptions of practice, and together support a blueprint for the development of a new, humane way of building, while also providing a window into the mind of an extraordinary thinker, teacher and professional.

About the author

Howard Davis is Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon. He is the author of three books: The Culture of Building, Living Over the Store: Architecture and Local Urban Life and Working Cities: Architecture, Place and Production. Davis worked with Christopher Alexander for seven years, was the co-author with Alexander and others of The Production of Houses, and is presently an advisor in the development of a comprehensive archive of Alexander’s work.