The Timeless Way of Building
Christopher Alexander
11 people recommended it in 7 threads, 2014–2023.
What people on Hacker News said
Beautiful book, got me thinking very hard about how to create artifacts and environments that make the people who interact with them happy.
It really made me reconsider the process and ultimate goals of building systems beyond housing, and how to make pattern languages for any system I build, especially software systems.
What makes something feel alive? How do you design it to be so? Christopher Alexander answers in "The Timeless Way of Building":
Or actively avoid it because you will be spoiled for standard architectural elements.
This book gets my vote as required reading for everyday life. Don't buy a house before first reading this.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why? 2017 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are the most eye-opening textbooks you have ever read? 2023 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- The most mentioned books on Stack Overflow 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2015? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book are you reading right now? 2014 · 1 recommendation