Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: "A Pattern Language"

[Michael Donovan (editor]

>From: Bobi Wilson: Yellow Plum Cohousing,  Kennewick, WA bobi.scott [at] 
>gte.net

>We are new owners of -- and devotees to-- the book  "A Pattern Language."
>Pattern 79 came immediately to mind when reading the *microflat...* thread
>regarding renting so I was delighted to find Howard Landham refering to it
>and reconstructing it, no less, for the listserv.
>I've been wondering what part this book has played in helping or guiding
>cohousing groups in both development, discussion and decision making.
>Any sharing you care to offer regarding this is much appreciated.
>joy in all things,
>bobi wilson

Long ago, we purchased the book as a group and passed it around for awhile.
Then we had an afternoon gathering for those that were interested in
discussing it and its implications for cohousing design. The reactions of
the group were mixed. Some were very interested in his postulations, others
felt some were dogmatic or opinionated. What we did get from the book was an
opportunity to talk among ourselves about how we felt about design and how
it affected our living/working/playing space. This alone was worth the price
of the book. [Which we found difficult to find and not inexpensive, about
$65 if I recall. We found a discounted one online.] We have yet to get to
the design phase (we have a site but a contract seems elusive) but will have
benefited from the dialogue we had on ideas the book puts forth.

The official website of Christopher Alexander, author:
http://www.patternlanguage.com

A summary of the book is here:
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~butter/pattern/

Michael Donovan
Village in the City Cohousing
St. Louis MO


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