A home is not only where the next generation is initiated into human life. It is also where each of us must find a space conducive to every-day living. And as Wendell Berry insists, all living things need a congenial context in order to thrive. This starts in our home.
Christoper Alexander is an architect keenly aware of the deep, reciprocal connection between patterns in space and patterns of living. How we live in a certain space, the patterns of our actions, affects the physical structure of that space. Likewise, the physical structure of a space–and this includes everything from size of the room, furniture arrangement, window placement, color schemes, and much more–affects the quality of actions in that space.
Alexander paints a glorious example of a ‘living pattern’: “And what of a party around a kitchen table, people drinking together, cooking together, drinking wine, eating grapes, together preparing a stew of beef and wine and garlic and tomatoes which takes four hours to cook–and while it cooks, we drink, and then, at last we eat it.”
Such a pattern of action gives life to a room. And likewise, a room can be well-designed and arranged to encourage such a pattern of action. This does not require great financial resources; it does require intentionality about what patterns of living we want to foster, and how to foster them.
Alexander writes, “For the pattern in the space is, precisely, the precondition, the requirement, which allows the pattern of events to happen. In this sense, it plays the fundamental role in making sure that just this pattern of events keeps on repeating over and over again, throughout the space…”
In view of Alexander’s insight into the connection between ‘architecture’ and action, we can look at the various rooms in our house, and consider two things: first, what actions do we most want to foster in this room, and second, does the structure and design of this room in fact foster such action. We can then take concrete steps in crafting the life we live together, through crafting the spaces themselves.
Two resources can help here. First, I have done a series applying Christopher Alexander’s principles to all the major spaces of the house: family room, living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, playroom, porch, and hearth.
Second, Sofia and I interviewed Paige Rien, a former HGTV star who now focuses on helping people think about crafting spaces to serve the highest ends. She writes, “I want to give you more than tips and tricks to make your house pretty like everyone else’s – I want to help you build your domestic church.” This is our new podcast with Paige, and this is her website. ~ ~ ~
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Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
Thanks, just today looking for an idea for how to put a mini greenhouse over a shoot from a fig tree that survived fall despite bearing no figs but many fig leaves so it can survive a Michigan winter and hopefully thrive next spring and summer and beyond
Good luck with that, David!
How tall is your fig tree? We have a rosemary plant (10 years old or so) that we cover every November to protect it from the harsh Rochester, NY winter. I started with a small plastic “hoop house” (maybe 2′ wide x 4′ long x 3′ tall?). Every two years or so we have to find a bigger house. Last year we found one at Tractor Supply. The plant has grown so much this season that I’m going to have to give it a major trimming so it will fit into its house. I hope you will find something that allows your fig to grow as happily as our rosemary has!
How very interesting. I must read your posts on each individual room. Agreed already that talk and life should be the center, and not electronics. That said, we built a library in our house. Or rather, built our own out of a front room that really had little purpose. We had built-in book cases installed and all. Some people incorporate their library into their den or home-office, which ends up serving the same purpose, I think. In the end I think some sort of library/music room is necessary for a cultured life.
Dr. Cuddeback, maybe you keep most of your books at your office at the school, or do you have a library-type room at your house as well?
We too have a library, Tom. And it is indeed a very special room in our house, good for more intimate, small gatherings. It would be worth adding a post specifically on libraries!