This is an amazing book to help you in designing a house that you will be happy to live in, and will address many needs that you may not even know that you have. ( )

A cult favorite among computer scientists for reasons I have never internalized, I recall the part about number of walls with windows and orientation effects on desirability of a room.

(Jane G): I read this book. A collection of suggestions about how to build countries/cities/ neighborhoods/houses/rooms to best fit people. This book is definitely a tome, but the quirky collection of quotes and ideas inside were worth working my way through. I'm going to copy out the parts I like for our "picture collection"

This is the best book on design I have ever read. Well, it's the ONLY book on design I've ever read, but I still recommend it highly. Alexander & co start with the belief that we all should design our own spaces, and teaches us about patterns that will help us do so. He covers everything from designing towns and communities to designing the smallest details, such as windowsills. He begins each of the 253 sections describing a pattern. An example: 'When they have a choice, people will always gravitate to those rooms which have light on 2 sides, and leave the rooms which are lit only from one side unused and empty.' And after some discussion, he recommends locating each room so it has outdoor space outside it on at least 2 sides, and place windows on these outdoor walls.' I'd recommend this to anyone interested in buying a home, or who just would like to reexamine their living space. ( )

Other reviewers have used the word extrodinary for this book and I think that is fair. Having read it I can uderstand why it has had such an impact on architects and designers of all disciplines.

It is a hefty book to carry about - but a very easy book to read. Would recomend it to anyone who whats to understand what 'design paterns' are. ( )