The purpose of this document is to evaluate the usefulness of the concept of negative pattern. It includes a tentative repository of negative patterns and guidelines for their use. Additional ideas and contributions are welcome. Alexander Let me start by identifying some negative patterns from Christopher Alexander's book. My feeling from reading Alexander's work, and from hearing him speak, is that he is often much stronger about the design forms he dislikes, than about those he likes.
Bedrooms make no sense.
Alcoves Dressing Rooms A building in which the ceiling heights are all the same is virtually incapable of making people comfortable. Ceiling Height Variety High buildings make people crazy. Four Storey Limit Outdoor spaces which are merely 'left over' between buildings will, in general, not be used. Positive Outdoor Space Continuous sprawling urbanization destroys life and makes cities unbearable. The surburb is an obsolete and contradictory form of human settlement.