Deep Thinking Problems Before Patterns: A Different Look at Christopher Alexander and Pattern Languages Molly Wright Steenson Princeton University School of Architecture | [email protected] Interaction and system design- tions, explored by Aaron Marcus, While pattern literature often ers alike gravitate to the idea of Shelley Evenson, Hugh Dubberly, focuses on patterns, there’s [1] Alexander, C., S. Ishikawa, and M. pattern languages. The notion and Rick Robinson, to name a an even greater focus on the Silverstein. A Pattern of patterns comes from the few [2,3]. Alan Cooper’s approach reproducible solution to a design Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. work of architect Christopher to design was strongly inspired problem. As patterns move to New York: Oxford Alexander, who with his associ- by pattern languages. Kent Beck online reference models, they University Press, 1977. ates Sara Ishikawa and Murray and Ward Cunningham not only concentrate less on outlining the [2] Aaron, M. “Patterns Silverstein of the Center for cite Alexander’s influence on the problem and the context, and Within Patterns.” interac- Environmental Structure, pub- development of object-oriented more on the object, component, tions 11, no. 2 (2004): 28-34. lished A Pattern Language in 1977. programming languages at or interface solution. Where The book defines a set of funda- Xerox PARC in the early 1990s, this might help someone find a [3] Dubberly, H., mentals for building and plan- but also on extreme program- quick reference, it can be done S. Evenson, and R. Robinson.” The ning urban and architectural ming during the later part of the at the detriment of a problem Analysis-Synthesis projects that can be used by decade [4, 5]. And Erin Malone statement that offers expertise Bridge Model.” interac- tions 15 no. 2 (2008): non-expert designers. “Each pat- and Christian Crumlish are and context. John Vlissides, one 57-61. tern describes a problem which currently writing a book about of the four authors of Design occurs over and over again patterns for social software, Patterns: Elements of Reusable [4] Beck, K. “Embracing Change with Extreme in our environment,” wrote titled Designing Social Interfaces: Object-Oriented Software, noted Programming.” Alexander and his coauthors, Principles, Patterns, and Practices for in a 1997 article that one of the Computer 32, no. 10 (1999): 70-77. “and then describes the core of Improving the User Experience. primary offerings of patterns the solution to that problem, For designers of many disci- as a whole is their usefulness [5] Beck, Kent. <http:// in such a way that you can use plines, pattern languages are in addressing recurring prob- c2.com/ppr/about/ author/kent.html>. this solution a million times attractive because they offer a lems. “In short,” he wrote, “pat- over, without ever doing it the way to identify the core design terns are primarily food for the [6] Alexander, C., same way twice [1].” While the problem and because they brain, not fodder for a tool [7].” S. Ishikawa, and M. Silverstein. Pattern authors addressed architectural seek replicable rules and build- Skimping on defining the prob- Manual, Berkeley, 1967. and urban problems—in effect, ing blocks in their solutions. lem makes it more difficult to spatial problems—the approach Alexander and his colleagues critique, share, or build upon the [7] Vlissides, J.”Patterns: The Top offered (and continues to offer) even envisioned the kinds of learnings of the pattern. Ten Misconceptions.” ready parallels with the design sharing mechanisms central to The Pattern Manual deals with Object Magazine 7 no.1 March + April 2009 (1997): 30-33. <http:// problems faced by all designers. contemporary pattern libraries. the issue of the design prob- www.research.ibm. Alexander has long influenced As early as the mid-1960s, they lem. This little-known text by com/designpatterns/ pubs/top10misc.html.> interaction and software design- thought that patterns should Alexander and his colleagues Accessed 24 November 2008 ers. Pattern languages have be shared via an ever-growing, defined the landscape of the made numerous appearances open database of design prob- design problem in 1967—a Photograph of Christopher Alexander by Richard Morgenstein interactions in previous issues of interac- lems and solutions [6]. decade earlier than the publi- 20 Deep Thinking cation of the more familiar A these requirements, Alexander the problem, as it exists today Pattern Language. The methodol- expanded the architectural [6].” The pattern, then, is a set of ogy in the manual specifies a notion of program (it specifi- parts that relate to each other structure for setting up design cally means the set of functions in space. Patterns can address problems in order to find gen- fulfilled by a room, space, or anything from the appropriate eralities, particularities, and building). It is a program, he layout for a kitchen, to freeway eventual solutions. The authors wrote, “because it provides ramps, to designs for users of a considered it a “minimal and directions or instructions to the certain income or educational natural” format: the what, designer [8].” If this sounds like level, to furniture design, to where, and how of a situation; engineering language, it is no structures that hold up houses in other words, the problem, surprise. Alexander developed [6]. Where they can address a the context, and the resulting design-requirement data sets in huge variety of problems, they pattern [6]. Shifting the focus the early 1960s that were com- themselves seek to be reductive to the definition of the design plex enough to necessitate an and essential, offering only what problem and not just its result- IBM 704 mainframe computer is necessary. Where patterns ing pattern helps to ensure the for analysis. With his colleagues might not provide the only solu- pattern properly addresses the at the Center for Environmental tion to the problem, without it or situation, particularly in com- Structure, Alexander moved an equivalent, “the problem will plex environments. away from such a byzantine go unsolved [6].” Alexander long maintained analysis of requirements, instead Although titled the Pattern an interest in defining a design seeking a method for creating Manual, its heart is the design methodology in the face of com- straightforward descriptions of problem statement—the most plexity. Notes on the Synthesis of the program—that is, the design important element “from a Form, originally published in problem—in the Pattern Manual. human standpoint [6].” Problems [8] Alexander, C. Notes 1964, more than 20 years before The manual defines a gram- subsume the considerations on the Synthesis of Form. Cambridge, MA: A Pattern Language, outlines matical structure that maps that system designers address, Harvard University Press, 1971. the difficulty of designing for to a designer’s mental model. called “functional demands… a series of intermeshing, inter- A designer follows three steps [that] at one time or another acting systems, even when the when developing a pattern, “or, [have] been called requirements, final designed object itself might for that matter, [when he] enter- needs, performance standards, not look complicated. “In spite tains any idea about the physical facts, tendencies, objectives, of their superficial simplicity,” environment…. He considers a constraints, activities, technical Alexander wrote, “even these problem, invents a pattern to data, and so forth.” Yet the func- problems have a background of solve the problem, and makes tional demands do not stop with needs and activities which is a mental note of the range of what a system should do: They becoming too complex to grasp contexts where the pattern will address a wide variety of issues intuitively;” needs and activi- solve the problem [6].” Contexts surrounding the ecology of a sys- ties that sit within a growing and problems are paired with tem. “They may concern human ecosystem of other pressures, each other—wherever a par- behavior, economics, the state whether social, cultural, or ticular context appears, so too of technology, the political cli- informational [8]. In this setting, does its problem. The context mate, whatever. No limits can be Alexander found no place for modifies the pattern in the way placed on the kinds of elements the secret, intuitive processes that an adverb modifies a verb: necessary to describe a problem traditionally claimed by many It says how the pattern works properly [6].” designers, ones which did not and in which circumstances it If that sounds vast, it is. March + April 2009 take the intricacies of their con- is valid. The problem statement Patterns address an astonish- texts into consideration. Instead, provides the reasoning behind ingly wide variety of elements he advocated a logical, objective the pattern and context. It can that are organized in space in approach to design, in which be much lengthier, offering an some manner. The Pattern Manual form fit context by addressing a explanation of the situation, a offers an expansive list that interactions set of design requirements. With “common-sense description of includes “all kitchens; dormitory 22 FEATURE kitchens; efficiency apartment r*GUIFIPVTFJTPOFPGBSFHV- ations, Alexander, Ishikawa, and kitchens; …all industrial sites lar sequence of houses all using Silverstein all anticipated and larger than two acres; a 2x4… this pattern, then the sign letters inspired contemporary methods residential areas with 40 percent are at least 6 inches high. for design thinking. By seek- of their population under 25 r*GUIFIPVTFJTJTPMBUFE PS ing to provide “a natural way and median incomes between is one of a regular sequence of of expressing thoughts about $6,000 and $8,000; garden paths; houses not using this pattern, the physical environment,” the cobblestone paths; a doorknob; then the sign letters are at least authors offered a vital means any freeway; freeway exit ramps; 12 inches high [6]. to articulate the richness not bookshelves [6].” Any of these Consequently, a simple pat- only of a design solution, but its patterns provides a solution to tern that addresses angle and problem and its context [6].