A Pattern Language Bot
@aplbot.bsky.social
Posting one pattern name and problem from Christopher Alexander's A Pattern Language every day.
107 - Wings of Light **
Modern buildings are often shaped with no concern for natural light - they depend almost entirely on artificial light. But buildings which displace natural light as the major source of illumination are not fit places to spend the day.
Modern buildings are often shaped with no concern for natural light - they depend almost entirely on artificial light. But buildings which displace natural light as the major source of illumination are not fit places to spend the day.
January 15, 2026 at 10:25 AM
107 - Wings of Light **
Modern buildings are often shaped with no concern for natural light - they depend almost entirely on artificial light. But buildings which displace natural light as the major source of illumination are not fit places to spend the day.
Modern buildings are often shaped with no concern for natural light - they depend almost entirely on artificial light. But buildings which displace natural light as the major source of illumination are not fit places to spend the day.
98 - Circulation Realms *
In many modern building complexes the problem of disorientation is acute. People have no idea where they are, and they experience considerable mental stress as a result.
In many modern building complexes the problem of disorientation is acute. People have no idea where they are, and they experience considerable mental stress as a result.
January 14, 2026 at 10:26 AM
98 - Circulation Realms *
In many modern building complexes the problem of disorientation is acute. People have no idea where they are, and they experience considerable mental stress as a result.
In many modern building complexes the problem of disorientation is acute. People have no idea where they are, and they experience considerable mental stress as a result.
205 - Structure Follows Social Spaces **
No building ever feels right to the people in it unless the physical spaces (defined by columns, walls, and ceilings) are congruent with the social spaces (defined by activities and human groups).
No building ever feels right to the people in it unless the physical spaces (defined by columns, walls, and ceilings) are congruent with the social spaces (defined by activities and human groups).
January 13, 2026 at 9:11 AM
205 - Structure Follows Social Spaces **
No building ever feels right to the people in it unless the physical spaces (defined by columns, walls, and ceilings) are congruent with the social spaces (defined by activities and human groups).
No building ever feels right to the people in it unless the physical spaces (defined by columns, walls, and ceilings) are congruent with the social spaces (defined by activities and human groups).
147 - Communal Eating *
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
January 12, 2026 at 9:11 AM
147 - Communal Eating *
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
218 - Wall Membrane *
In organic construction the walls must take their share of the loads. They must work continuously with the structure on all four of their sides; and act to resist shear and bending, and take loads in compression.
In organic construction the walls must take their share of the loads. They must work continuously with the structure on all four of their sides; and act to resist shear and bending, and take loads in compression.
January 11, 2026 at 9:11 AM
218 - Wall Membrane *
In organic construction the walls must take their share of the loads. They must work continuously with the structure on all four of their sides; and act to resist shear and bending, and take loads in compression.
In organic construction the walls must take their share of the loads. They must work continuously with the structure on all four of their sides; and act to resist shear and bending, and take loads in compression.
111 - Half-Hidden Garden *
If a garden is too close to the street, people won't use it because it isn't private enough. But if it is too far from the street, then it won't be used either, because it is too isolated.
If a garden is too close to the street, people won't use it because it isn't private enough. But if it is too far from the street, then it won't be used either, because it is too isolated.
January 10, 2026 at 9:11 AM
111 - Half-Hidden Garden *
If a garden is too close to the street, people won't use it because it isn't private enough. But if it is too far from the street, then it won't be used either, because it is too isolated.
If a garden is too close to the street, people won't use it because it isn't private enough. But if it is too far from the street, then it won't be used either, because it is too isolated.
167 - Six-Foot Balcony **
Balconies and porches which are less than six feet deep are hardly ever used.
Balconies and porches which are less than six feet deep are hardly ever used.
January 9, 2026 at 9:10 AM
167 - Six-Foot Balcony **
Balconies and porches which are less than six feet deep are hardly ever used.
Balconies and porches which are less than six feet deep are hardly ever used.
71 - Still Water *
To be in touch with water, we must above all be able to swim; and to swim daily, the pools and ponds and holes for swimming must be so widely scattered through the city, that each person can reach one within minutes.
To be in touch with water, we must above all be able to swim; and to swim daily, the pools and ponds and holes for swimming must be so widely scattered through the city, that each person can reach one within minutes.
January 8, 2026 at 9:11 AM
71 - Still Water *
To be in touch with water, we must above all be able to swim; and to swim daily, the pools and ponds and holes for swimming must be so widely scattered through the city, that each person can reach one within minutes.
To be in touch with water, we must above all be able to swim; and to swim daily, the pools and ponds and holes for swimming must be so widely scattered through the city, that each person can reach one within minutes.
2 - The Distribution of Towns
If the population of a region is weighted too far toward small villages, modern civilization can never emerge; but if the population is weighted too far toward big cities, the earth will go to ruin because the population isn't where it needs to be, to take care of it.
If the population of a region is weighted too far toward small villages, modern civilization can never emerge; but if the population is weighted too far toward big cities, the earth will go to ruin because the population isn't where it needs to be, to take care of it.
January 7, 2026 at 9:11 AM
2 - The Distribution of Towns
If the population of a region is weighted too far toward small villages, modern civilization can never emerge; but if the population is weighted too far toward big cities, the earth will go to ruin because the population isn't where it needs to be, to take care of it.
If the population of a region is weighted too far toward small villages, modern civilization can never emerge; but if the population is weighted too far toward big cities, the earth will go to ruin because the population isn't where it needs to be, to take care of it.
175 - Greenhouse
Many efforts are being made to harness solar energy by converting it into hot water or electric power. And yet the easiest way to harness solar energy is the most obvious and the oldest: namely, to trap the heat inside a greenhouse and use it for growing flowers and vegetables.
Many efforts are being made to harness solar energy by converting it into hot water or electric power. And yet the easiest way to harness solar energy is the most obvious and the oldest: namely, to trap the heat inside a greenhouse and use it for growing flowers and vegetables.
January 6, 2026 at 9:11 AM
175 - Greenhouse
Many efforts are being made to harness solar energy by converting it into hot water or electric power. And yet the easiest way to harness solar energy is the most obvious and the oldest: namely, to trap the heat inside a greenhouse and use it for growing flowers and vegetables.
Many efforts are being made to harness solar energy by converting it into hot water or electric power. And yet the easiest way to harness solar energy is the most obvious and the oldest: namely, to trap the heat inside a greenhouse and use it for growing flowers and vegetables.
65 - Birth Places
It seems unlikely that any process which treats childbirth as a sickness could possibly be a healthy part of a healthy society.
It seems unlikely that any process which treats childbirth as a sickness could possibly be a healthy part of a healthy society.
January 5, 2026 at 9:11 AM
65 - Birth Places
It seems unlikely that any process which treats childbirth as a sickness could possibly be a healthy part of a healthy society.
It seems unlikely that any process which treats childbirth as a sickness could possibly be a healthy part of a healthy society.
138 - Sleeping to the East *
This is one of the patterns people most often disagree with. However, we believe they are mistaken.
This is one of the patterns people most often disagree with. However, we believe they are mistaken.
January 4, 2026 at 9:11 AM
138 - Sleeping to the East *
This is one of the patterns people most often disagree with. However, we believe they are mistaken.
This is one of the patterns people most often disagree with. However, we believe they are mistaken.
132 - Short Passages *
". . . long, sterile corridors set the scene for everything bad about modern architecture."
". . . long, sterile corridors set the scene for everything bad about modern architecture."
January 3, 2026 at 9:11 AM
132 - Short Passages *
". . . long, sterile corridors set the scene for everything bad about modern architecture."
". . . long, sterile corridors set the scene for everything bad about modern architecture."
83 - Master and Aprentices *
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
January 2, 2026 at 9:10 AM
83 - Master and Aprentices *
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
62 - High Places *
The instinct to climb up to some high place, from which you can look down and survey your world, seems to be a fundamental human instinct.
The instinct to climb up to some high place, from which you can look down and survey your world, seems to be a fundamental human instinct.
January 1, 2026 at 9:11 AM
62 - High Places *
The instinct to climb up to some high place, from which you can look down and survey your world, seems to be a fundamental human instinct.
The instinct to climb up to some high place, from which you can look down and survey your world, seems to be a fundamental human instinct.
146 - Flexible Office Space
Is it possible to create a kind of space which is specifically tuned to the needs of people working, and yet capable of an infinite number of various arrangements and combinations within it?
Is it possible to create a kind of space which is specifically tuned to the needs of people working, and yet capable of an infinite number of various arrangements and combinations within it?
December 31, 2025 at 9:11 AM
146 - Flexible Office Space
Is it possible to create a kind of space which is specifically tuned to the needs of people working, and yet capable of an infinite number of various arrangements and combinations within it?
Is it possible to create a kind of space which is specifically tuned to the needs of people working, and yet capable of an infinite number of various arrangements and combinations within it?
166 - Gallery Surround *
If people cannot walk out from the building onto balconies and terraces which look toward the outdoor space around the building, then neither they themselves nor the people outside have any medium which helps them feel the building and the larger public world are
If people cannot walk out from the building onto balconies and terraces which look toward the outdoor space around the building, then neither they themselves nor the people outside have any medium which helps them feel the building and the larger public world are
December 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
166 - Gallery Surround *
If people cannot walk out from the building onto balconies and terraces which look toward the outdoor space around the building, then neither they themselves nor the people outside have any medium which helps them feel the building and the larger public world are
If people cannot walk out from the building onto balconies and terraces which look toward the outdoor space around the building, then neither they themselves nor the people outside have any medium which helps them feel the building and the larger public world are
185 - Sitting Circle *
A group of chairs, a sofa and a chair, a pile of cushions - these are the most obvious things in everybody's life and yet to make them work, so people become animated and alive in them, is a very subtle business. Most seating arrangements are sterile, people avoid them,
A group of chairs, a sofa and a chair, a pile of cushions - these are the most obvious things in everybody's life and yet to make them work, so people become animated and alive in them, is a very subtle business. Most seating arrangements are sterile, people avoid them,
December 29, 2025 at 9:11 AM
185 - Sitting Circle *
A group of chairs, a sofa and a chair, a pile of cushions - these are the most obvious things in everybody's life and yet to make them work, so people become animated and alive in them, is a very subtle business. Most seating arrangements are sterile, people avoid them,
A group of chairs, a sofa and a chair, a pile of cushions - these are the most obvious things in everybody's life and yet to make them work, so people become animated and alive in them, is a very subtle business. Most seating arrangements are sterile, people avoid them,
41 - Work Community **
If you spend eight hours of your day at work, and eight hours at home, there is no reason why your workplace should be any less of a community than your home.
If you spend eight hours of your day at work, and eight hours at home, there is no reason why your workplace should be any less of a community than your home.
December 28, 2025 at 9:11 AM
41 - Work Community **
If you spend eight hours of your day at work, and eight hours at home, there is no reason why your workplace should be any less of a community than your home.
If you spend eight hours of your day at work, and eight hours at home, there is no reason why your workplace should be any less of a community than your home.
147 - Communal Eating *
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
December 27, 2025 at 9:11 AM
147 - Communal Eating *
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
Without communal eating, no human group can hold together.
236 - Windows which Open Wide *
Many buildings nowadays have no opening windows at all; and many of the opening windows that people do build, don't do the job that opening windows ought to do.
Many buildings nowadays have no opening windows at all; and many of the opening windows that people do build, don't do the job that opening windows ought to do.
December 26, 2025 at 9:11 AM
236 - Windows which Open Wide *
Many buildings nowadays have no opening windows at all; and many of the opening windows that people do build, don't do the job that opening windows ought to do.
Many buildings nowadays have no opening windows at all; and many of the opening windows that people do build, don't do the job that opening windows ought to do.
5 - Lace of Country Streets
The suburb is an obsolete and contradictory form of human settlement.
The suburb is an obsolete and contradictory form of human settlement.
December 25, 2025 at 9:11 AM
5 - Lace of Country Streets
The suburb is an obsolete and contradictory form of human settlement.
The suburb is an obsolete and contradictory form of human settlement.
83 - Master and Aprentices *
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
December 24, 2025 at 9:11 AM
83 - Master and Aprentices *
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
The fundamental learning situation is one in which a person learns by helping someone who really knows what he is doing.
13 - Subculture Boundary
The mosaic of subcultures requires that hundreds of different cultures live, in their own way, at full intensity, next door to one another. But subcultures have their own ecology. They can only live at full intensity, unhampered by their neighbors, if they are physically
The mosaic of subcultures requires that hundreds of different cultures live, in their own way, at full intensity, next door to one another. But subcultures have their own ecology. They can only live at full intensity, unhampered by their neighbors, if they are physically
December 23, 2025 at 9:11 AM
13 - Subculture Boundary
The mosaic of subcultures requires that hundreds of different cultures live, in their own way, at full intensity, next door to one another. But subcultures have their own ecology. They can only live at full intensity, unhampered by their neighbors, if they are physically
The mosaic of subcultures requires that hundreds of different cultures live, in their own way, at full intensity, next door to one another. But subcultures have their own ecology. They can only live at full intensity, unhampered by their neighbors, if they are physically
6 - Country Towns *
The big city is a magnet. It is terribly hard for small towns to stay alive and healthy in the face of central urban growth.
The big city is a magnet. It is terribly hard for small towns to stay alive and healthy in the face of central urban growth.
December 22, 2025 at 9:11 AM
6 - Country Towns *
The big city is a magnet. It is terribly hard for small towns to stay alive and healthy in the face of central urban growth.
The big city is a magnet. It is terribly hard for small towns to stay alive and healthy in the face of central urban growth.