Subject:
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A Pattern Language/The Timeless Way of Building
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build
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Date:
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Sat, 27 Jan 2001 23:19:53 GMT
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Viewed:
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491 times
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Has anyone read these books by architect C. Alexander? Some read them and
think "software!" but I also think "Lego!"
One of the main ideas here is that people reuse solutions to problems, that
an architect reuses ideas in different places, and that these "patterns" can
be catalogued.
It's easy to see patterns in Lego Town. A couple of examples:
1. Hinged Buildings. Use 1x4 brick hinges in the walls of your building and
you will be able to open it up to see the inside.
Examples (you have to look at the building instructions, the photo shows
these in shut position): <set:6075_2>Yellow Castle, <set:590>Fire Station.
2. Sidewalks on Edges of Road Plates. Don't build on the edges of road
plates--leave this space for sidewalks. If you place structures on separate
32x32 plates, your town can be rearranged if desired, and you've got
sidewalks with room for people, bus shelters, mailboxes, etc.
Variation: Raised Sidewalks. Build sidewalks 1 brick high.
Examples: The Brick Apple - roadwork scene
http://www.brickapple.com/javascript/photos.html?city&10 *and throughout site*
3. Interlocking Bricks. A fundamental structural pattern. Each brick snaps
onto two bricks below. Prefer interlocking bricks to stacks of the same
brick. Use this especially at corners and above windows. Stronger, better
appearance.
Examples: anything but Town Jr. There used to be demonstrations of this
ordinary concept in Lego's former Idea Books and catalogs!
Variations: Interlocking Roof Bricks, Interlocking Plates.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
So, that should show you the idea of patterns.
Alexander's book, A Pattern Language, is organized from large to small. He
describes patterns for the shape of cities, patterns for public spaces, for
parks, homes, features within homes, and even carpentry patterns. Many of
his patterns are small additions to living spaces, such as rooms, lights,
benches, shelves, steps or windows. All of them try to state why a
particular way of doing things makes a place come alive (to be used and
appreciated by people.)
A really cool and daunting community project would be to compile a catalog
of our Lego building patterns, from large to small, by theme, or piece type,
and many other ways, with illustrations and links.
Alexander maintains that when people need to build something, they use what
they know from other buildings (good or bad) and I think he's right. A
catalog of Lego patterns would be a tremendous and fascinating educational
resource, and a great encouragement to more building.
-Erik
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: A Pattern Language/The Timeless Way of Building
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| Erik Olson wrote in message ... (...) I read these books after learning about design patterns in software, and immediately related them not so much to Lego building itself (though I agree with you that there are indeed recognisable patterns in Lego (...) (23 years ago, 28-Jan-01, to lugnet.build)
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