Title: The Architecture of Patterns by Paul Andersen and David Salomon

URL: The Architecture of Patterns (affiliate link)

Purpose: to explain how redefining pattern today can unleash new developments in architecture that lead toward greater evolution in building design, instead of merely repetitive building design. This book explains how rethinking patterns is key.

Does How You Perceive Pattern Really Make a Difference?

This book, entitled The Architecture of Patterns (affiliate link) by Paul Andersen and David Salomon, proves to be a quite fascinating read. You will immediately see, upon opening the book, just how patterns play a significant role within architectural design — both as they were thought of in the past, and in how we need to continue re-thinking “pattern” as we strive to direct architecture into new realms.

The authors point out how patterns are inherently playing a part in how we “see”. And the more we engage in perceiving patterns, the greater our chances are in creating design “interactions” as opposed to simply just the design of “things”. (Andersen and Salomon, p 47) I find such notions made within this book to be quite appropriate when considering where architecture has been, and where it is now headed.

As we delve into designing architecture that is more dynamic, transient and personalized, we as architectural designers need to re-think not only how we see pattern, but also how we integrate it within our built environments — as it does affect the very people that we design for, and it does become the very fabric by which our buildings behave to ultimately engage with them.

Patterns that Allow for Greater Variety and Diversification

This book will take you along a journey which begins by exploring how patterns have made their way into our world through both things and environments. Andersen and Salomon look at how pattern has evolved over time, and how with each step in its evolution it has yielded breakthroughs to better the lives of the people that use them.

Interestingly, The Architecture of Patterns (affiliate link) also takes note of why there is a “silence on patterns”, where designers shy away from them due to their fleeting and seemingly unstable nature. But Andersen and Salomon go on to further explain just how the very makeup of patterns, when thought of through new lenses, bring with them characteristics like connection, variability, diversity and new kinds of flexibility. I think more books like this should emerge where authors take on new perspectives that help us to further explain to ourselves the merits of architectural “properties” that have been not fully understood, or maximized for the particularities and challenges of our own evolving era.

In an age where our buildings are headed toward being more sensitive places, I do agree that patterns maintain certain qualities that allow certain architectural stimuli to “vibrate” (Andersen and Salomon, p. 96 ), where it is becoming possible for buildings to yield an elasticity through zones that can create new kinds of architectural differences and same-nesses. As you read this book, you will see these and other examples that deconstruct pattern for architecture in order to help you, the reader, re-consider it for its untapped potential.

Another nice thing to see in this book are the use of case studies to really drive home concepts about how patterns can be reformulated, being seen from different angles to create architectures that are more intelligent, while also embracing both the static and fleeting — which, in the past, has often been thought of as two separate entities which could not exist together.

I highly recommend this book to you, for I think it will help you to see how integral patterns are — going beyond the most obvious use of patterns today, delving deeper to explore the architectural make-up of patterns across multiple disciplines, by pulling from other realms like graphic design, industrial design and even cultural anthropology. I like how Andersen and Salomon explain how patterns make for easier translation, which yields better communication. And as such, patterns also are more malleable as they can more easily be changed on the fly. Reading this book will give you a deeper level of understanding into just how and why this occurs.

The Architecture of Patterns Should Be on Your Shelf

In the end, I do think that this is a worthwhile book to read. It will expand your knowledge about how patterns are interwoven within architecture, and how such patterns can exist in realms beyond the visual — into all of our senses, and ultimately into all of our cultures.

At 133 pages, this book is a must-read, and I am glad that I have it on my shelf. It is filled with wonderfully integrated color images that reinforce the concepts being explained within the book. And it is nice to see a book where the illustrations are as important as the text, teaching how you can “see” patterns in new light, to understand more about our evolving perception of them, and inspiring you to incorporate them anew into your architectural designs.

To buy, or learn more about, the The Architecture of Patterns, please click here. (affiliate link)

Citation:
1) Andersen, Paul and Salomon, David. The Architecture of Patterns. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.

Disclosure: Please note that the book entitled The Architecture of Patterns was provided to me for free by the publisher for the purposes of this book review publication on Sensing Architecture. For more information, go to Sensing Architecture Disclosures

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Jolob | Dreamstime

The nature of the way we work in offices has changed over the years. Yes, ergonomics has arisen as key to comfort; but, with the advent of the technology revolution even our brains need to be kept in healthy environments. As a result of the computer age, workers are constantly busy – at times even deprived of person-to-person interaction. While bodies sit still, worker brains are influenced by the internet, email, cell phones, videos and all else that can be found via the digital age.

So, what is the best way to design an office that is healthy and includes (even embraces) technology? How can offices help eliminate what Scientific American Mind recently termed “digital [mental] fog” in their article Meet Your iBrain? Digital fog is important to eliminate because it contributes to worker error, mental burn-out and general unwanted stress. Over time, unhealthy environments can ultimately lead to actual cognition impairment and eventual depression.

Since so many hours are devoted to office work, office design should place emphasis on what makes for a healthy workday. Here is my list of 10 simple steps toward design that lessens technology’s negative effects. These helpful tips also contribute to greater comfort, efficiency and overall less employee stress.

1. Include places that give your eyes a rest. Have nature, artwork or a window view to help reduce strained eyes that should not stare at computer technology all day.

2. Provide both natural light and well-planned task lighting. Offices need lighting that counters monitor light. Also, well lit areas should allow for healthy desk-writing, bulletin-board reading and bookshelf scanning.

3. Offer a place for quiet breaks or peaceful meditation. It is important for workers to relax during the workday by providing even a micro-space that is serene by feeding the senses. Think sand garden or other feature for contemplation.

4. Make organization easy. Use functional office design techniques for efficient paperwork and file organization. Setup systems that complement the occupant’s working style.

5. Prevent information overload. Fuse technologies together – allow data to feed from one technology to the other without redundancy. (For example, avoid reading the same email on different computers, cell phones, etc.)

6. Don’t forget to factor chair, desk and mouse ergonomics. This is so important. If your body isn’t adjusted and comfortable, all else will suffer.

7. Keep technology in check…don’t let technologies take over an office. It is important to mentally (or physically) unplug at certain times during the workday. Provide office space and features for use during those times.

8. Provide place for human interaction. Counter the negative effects of too much technology by creating friendly space for meetings and impromptu interactions with people.

9. Allow office workers to make their mark. Designed office space should allow workers to personalize certain areas. It is also important to allow these areas to change over time – for example, to complement seasons or worker mood during the day. Workers need some control over their environment.

10. Clear pathways and reduce travel-times. Place most used items within reach and make pathways always accessible. This not only makes an office more functional but is key to making it efficient.

In the end, it is important to remember that successful office design should let workers be in control. Control over how an office functions and feels goes far to alleviate stress — ultimately boosting self-esteem. When coordinated correctly, office design and technology can harmonize; eventually to improve worker morale both physically and mentally. As workers use technology to improve their abilities to pay attention, multi-task and mine data it is also key that they stay connected through their environment. Office design is vital to having healthy workers.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman