A Pattern Language Bot
@aplbot.bsky.social
Posting one pattern name and problem from Christopher Alexander's A Pattern Language every day.
120 - Paths and Goals *
The layout of paths will seem right and comfortable only when it is compatible with the process of walking. And the process of walking is far more subtle than one might imagine.
The layout of paths will seem right and comfortable only when it is compatible with the process of walking. And the process of walking is far more subtle than one might imagine.
February 16, 2026 at 10:25 AM
120 - Paths and Goals *
The layout of paths will seem right and comfortable only when it is compatible with the process of walking. And the process of walking is far more subtle than one might imagine.
The layout of paths will seem right and comfortable only when it is compatible with the process of walking. And the process of walking is far more subtle than one might imagine.
224 - Low Doorway
High doorways are simple and convenient. But a lower door is often more profound.
High doorways are simple and convenient. But a lower door is often more profound.
February 15, 2026 at 10:25 AM
224 - Low Doorway
High doorways are simple and convenient. But a lower door is often more profound.
High doorways are simple and convenient. But a lower door is often more profound.
12 - Community of 7000 *
Individuals have no effective voice in any community of more than 5000-10,000 persons.
Individuals have no effective voice in any community of more than 5000-10,000 persons.
February 14, 2026 at 10:25 AM
12 - Community of 7000 *
Individuals have no effective voice in any community of more than 5000-10,000 persons.
Individuals have no effective voice in any community of more than 5000-10,000 persons.
50 - T Junctions *
Traffic accidents are far more frequent where two roads cross than at T junctions.
Traffic accidents are far more frequent where two roads cross than at T junctions.
February 13, 2026 at 10:25 AM
50 - T Junctions *
Traffic accidents are far more frequent where two roads cross than at T junctions.
Traffic accidents are far more frequent where two roads cross than at T junctions.
7 - The Countryside *
I conceive that land belongs for use to a vast family of which many are dead, few are living, and countless members are still unborn. - a Nigerian tribesman
I conceive that land belongs for use to a vast family of which many are dead, few are living, and countless members are still unborn. - a Nigerian tribesman
February 12, 2026 at 10:25 AM
7 - The Countryside *
I conceive that land belongs for use to a vast family of which many are dead, few are living, and countless members are still unborn. - a Nigerian tribesman
I conceive that land belongs for use to a vast family of which many are dead, few are living, and countless members are still unborn. - a Nigerian tribesman
80 - Self-Governing Workshops and Offices **
No one enjoys his work if he is a cog in a machine.
No one enjoys his work if he is a cog in a machine.
February 11, 2026 at 10:25 AM
80 - Self-Governing Workshops and Offices **
No one enjoys his work if he is a cog in a machine.
No one enjoys his work if he is a cog in a machine.
191 - The Shape of Indoor Space **
The perfectly crystalline squares and rectangles of ultramodern architecture make no special sense in human or in structural terms. They only express the rigid desires and fantasies which people have when they get too preoccupied with systems and the means of
The perfectly crystalline squares and rectangles of ultramodern architecture make no special sense in human or in structural terms. They only express the rigid desires and fantasies which people have when they get too preoccupied with systems and the means of
February 10, 2026 at 10:25 AM
191 - The Shape of Indoor Space **
The perfectly crystalline squares and rectangles of ultramodern architecture make no special sense in human or in structural terms. They only express the rigid desires and fantasies which people have when they get too preoccupied with systems and the means of
The perfectly crystalline squares and rectangles of ultramodern architecture make no special sense in human or in structural terms. They only express the rigid desires and fantasies which people have when they get too preoccupied with systems and the means of
118 - Roof Garden *
A vast part of the earth's surface, in a town, consists of roofs. Couple this with the fact that the total area of a town which can be exposed to the sun is finite, and you will realize that is is natural, and indeed essential, to make roofs which take advantage of the sun and
A vast part of the earth's surface, in a town, consists of roofs. Couple this with the fact that the total area of a town which can be exposed to the sun is finite, and you will realize that is is natural, and indeed essential, to make roofs which take advantage of the sun and
February 9, 2026 at 10:25 AM
118 - Roof Garden *
A vast part of the earth's surface, in a town, consists of roofs. Couple this with the fact that the total area of a town which can be exposed to the sun is finite, and you will realize that is is natural, and indeed essential, to make roofs which take advantage of the sun and
A vast part of the earth's surface, in a town, consists of roofs. Couple this with the fact that the total area of a town which can be exposed to the sun is finite, and you will realize that is is natural, and indeed essential, to make roofs which take advantage of the sun and
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.
February 8, 2026 at 10:25 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.
106 - Positive Outdoor Space **
Outdoor spaces which are merely "left over" between buildings will, in general, not be used.
Outdoor spaces which are merely "left over" between buildings will, in general, not be used.
February 7, 2026 at 10:25 AM
106 - Positive Outdoor Space **
Outdoor spaces which are merely "left over" between buildings will, in general, not be used.
Outdoor spaces which are merely "left over" between buildings will, in general, not be used.
101 - Building Thoroughfare
When a public building complex cannot be completely served by outdoor pedestrian streets, a new form of indoor street, quite different from the conventional corridor, is needed.
When a public building complex cannot be completely served by outdoor pedestrian streets, a new form of indoor street, quite different from the conventional corridor, is needed.
February 6, 2026 at 10:25 AM
101 - Building Thoroughfare
When a public building complex cannot be completely served by outdoor pedestrian streets, a new form of indoor street, quite different from the conventional corridor, is needed.
When a public building complex cannot be completely served by outdoor pedestrian streets, a new form of indoor street, quite different from the conventional corridor, is needed.
56 - Bike Paths and Racks *
Bikes are cheap, healthy, and good for the environment; but the environment is not designed for them. Bikes on roads are threatened by cars; bikes on paths threaten pedestrians.
Bikes are cheap, healthy, and good for the environment; but the environment is not designed for them. Bikes on roads are threatened by cars; bikes on paths threaten pedestrians.
February 5, 2026 at 10:25 AM
56 - Bike Paths and Racks *
Bikes are cheap, healthy, and good for the environment; but the environment is not designed for them. Bikes on roads are threatened by cars; bikes on paths threaten pedestrians.
Bikes are cheap, healthy, and good for the environment; but the environment is not designed for them. Bikes on roads are threatened by cars; bikes on paths threaten pedestrians.
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).
February 4, 2026 at 10:25 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).
45 - Necklace of Community Projects
The local town hall will not be an honest part of the community which lives around it, unIess it is itself surrounded by all kinds of small community activities and projects, generated by the people for themselves.
The local town hall will not be an honest part of the community which lives around it, unIess it is itself surrounded by all kinds of small community activities and projects, generated by the people for themselves.
February 3, 2026 at 10:25 AM
45 - Necklace of Community Projects
The local town hall will not be an honest part of the community which lives around it, unIess it is itself surrounded by all kinds of small community activities and projects, generated by the people for themselves.
The local town hall will not be an honest part of the community which lives around it, unIess it is itself surrounded by all kinds of small community activities and projects, generated by the people for themselves.
189 - Dressing Room *
Dressing and undressing, storing clothes, having clothes lying around, have no reason to be part of any larger complex of activities. Indeed they disturb other activities: they are so self-contained that they themselves need concentrated space which has no other function.
Dressing and undressing, storing clothes, having clothes lying around, have no reason to be part of any larger complex of activities. Indeed they disturb other activities: they are so self-contained that they themselves need concentrated space which has no other function.
February 2, 2026 at 10:25 AM
189 - Dressing Room *
Dressing and undressing, storing clothes, having clothes lying around, have no reason to be part of any larger complex of activities. Indeed they disturb other activities: they are so self-contained that they themselves need concentrated space which has no other function.
Dressing and undressing, storing clothes, having clothes lying around, have no reason to be part of any larger complex of activities. Indeed they disturb other activities: they are so self-contained that they themselves need concentrated space which has no other function.
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
February 1, 2026 at 10:25 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
37 - House Cluster **
People will not feel comfortable in their houses unless a group of houses forms a cluster, with the public land between them jointly owned by all the householders.
People will not feel comfortable in their houses unless a group of houses forms a cluster, with the public land between them jointly owned by all the householders.
January 31, 2026 at 10:25 AM
37 - House Cluster **
People will not feel comfortable in their houses unless a group of houses forms a cluster, with the public land between them jointly owned by all the householders.
People will not feel comfortable in their houses unless a group of houses forms a cluster, with the public land between them jointly owned by all the householders.
220 - Roof Vaults *
What is the best shape for a roof?
What is the best shape for a roof?
January 30, 2026 at 10:25 AM
220 - Roof Vaults *
What is the best shape for a roof?
What is the best shape for a roof?
202 - Built-in Seats *
Built-in seats are great. Everybody loves them. They make a building feel comfortable and luxurious. But most often they do not actually work. They are placed wrong, or too narrow, or the back does not slope, or the view is wrong, or the seat is too hard. This pattern tells
Built-in seats are great. Everybody loves them. They make a building feel comfortable and luxurious. But most often they do not actually work. They are placed wrong, or too narrow, or the back does not slope, or the view is wrong, or the seat is too hard. This pattern tells
January 29, 2026 at 10:25 AM
202 - Built-in Seats *
Built-in seats are great. Everybody loves them. They make a building feel comfortable and luxurious. But most often they do not actually work. They are placed wrong, or too narrow, or the back does not slope, or the view is wrong, or the seat is too hard. This pattern tells
Built-in seats are great. Everybody loves them. They make a building feel comfortable and luxurious. But most often they do not actually work. They are placed wrong, or too narrow, or the back does not slope, or the view is wrong, or the seat is too hard. This pattern tells
54 - Road Crossing
Where paths cross roads, the cars have power to frighten and subdue the people walking, even when the people walking have the legal right-of-way.
Where paths cross roads, the cars have power to frighten and subdue the people walking, even when the people walking have the legal right-of-way.
January 28, 2026 at 10:27 AM
54 - Road Crossing
Where paths cross roads, the cars have power to frighten and subdue the people walking, even when the people walking have the legal right-of-way.
Where paths cross roads, the cars have power to frighten and subdue the people walking, even when the people walking have the legal right-of-way.
14 - Indentifiable Neighborhood **
People need an identifiable spatial unit to belong to.
People need an identifiable spatial unit to belong to.
January 27, 2026 at 10:26 AM
14 - Indentifiable Neighborhood **
People need an identifiable spatial unit to belong to.
People need an identifiable spatial unit to belong to.
253 - Things from your Life *
"Decor" and the conception of "interior design" have spread so widely, that very often people forget their instinct for the things they really want to keep around them.
"Decor" and the conception of "interior design" have spread so widely, that very often people forget their instinct for the things they really want to keep around them.
January 26, 2026 at 10:27 AM
253 - Things from your Life *
"Decor" and the conception of "interior design" have spread so widely, that very often people forget their instinct for the things they really want to keep around them.
"Decor" and the conception of "interior design" have spread so widely, that very often people forget their instinct for the things they really want to keep around them.
73 - Adventure Playground
A castle, made of cartons, rocks, and old branches, by a group of children for themselves, is worth a thousand perfectly detailed, exactly finished castles, made for them in a factory.
A castle, made of cartons, rocks, and old branches, by a group of children for themselves, is worth a thousand perfectly detailed, exactly finished castles, made for them in a factory.
January 25, 2026 at 10:26 AM
73 - Adventure Playground
A castle, made of cartons, rocks, and old branches, by a group of children for themselves, is worth a thousand perfectly detailed, exactly finished castles, made for them in a factory.
A castle, made of cartons, rocks, and old branches, by a group of children for themselves, is worth a thousand perfectly detailed, exactly finished castles, made for them in a factory.
213 - Final Column Distribution **
How should the spacing of the secondary columns which stiffen the walls, vary with ceiling height, number of stories and the size of rooms?
How should the spacing of the secondary columns which stiffen the walls, vary with ceiling height, number of stories and the size of rooms?
January 24, 2026 at 10:27 AM
213 - Final Column Distribution **
How should the spacing of the secondary columns which stiffen the walls, vary with ceiling height, number of stories and the size of rooms?
How should the spacing of the secondary columns which stiffen the walls, vary with ceiling height, number of stories and the size of rooms?
91 - Travelers Inn *
A man who stays the night in a strange place is still a member of the human community, and still needs company. There is no reason why he should creep into a hole, and watch TV alone, the way he does in a roadside motel.
A man who stays the night in a strange place is still a member of the human community, and still needs company. There is no reason why he should creep into a hole, and watch TV alone, the way he does in a roadside motel.
January 23, 2026 at 10:26 AM
91 - Travelers Inn *
A man who stays the night in a strange place is still a member of the human community, and still needs company. There is no reason why he should creep into a hole, and watch TV alone, the way he does in a roadside motel.
A man who stays the night in a strange place is still a member of the human community, and still needs company. There is no reason why he should creep into a hole, and watch TV alone, the way he does in a roadside motel.