How to Judge a Building: Does it Make you Feel More, Or Less Alive?

This extract was originally published on Common Edge as "The Legacy of Christopher Alexander: Criteria for an Intelligent Architecture."

In his monumental four-volume book, The Nature of Order, Christopher Alexander talks about an intelligent architecture, responsive to human needs and sensibilities through adaptation to existing buildings and nature. This is a new way of viewing the world—a way of connecting to it, and to ourselves—yet it is very much the same as the most ancient ways of connecting.

What 6 British Cities Could Have Looked Like

A historic hotbed of architectural styles and a current architectural capital of the world, cities in the United Kingdom are awash with iconic buildings from the Georgian, Neoclassical, and contemporary era. Such buildings, from the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol to the Southbank in London, have come to define the cities in which they stand, drawing the eyes of tourists and designers alike from around the world.

It is therefore an interesting exercise to examine what these cities would look like if such structures didn’t exist. To this end, Neomam Studios has partnered with QuickQuid to produce a series of images demonstrating what six British cities could have looked like, resurrecting some of Britain’s most surprising unbuilt structures.

Casa Zupe / Iván Bravo Arquitectos + Bruno Giliberto

Casa Zupe / Iván Bravo Arquitectos + Bruno Giliberto - HousesCasa Zupe / Iván Bravo Arquitectos + Bruno Giliberto - HousesCasa Zupe / Iván Bravo Arquitectos + Bruno Giliberto - HousesCasa Zupe / Iván Bravo Arquitectos + Bruno Giliberto - HousesCasa Zupe / Iván Bravo Arquitectos + Bruno Giliberto - More Images+ 15

Stone Houses in Cáceres / Tuñón Arquitectos

Stone Houses in Cáceres / Tuñón Arquitectos - HousesStone Houses in Cáceres / Tuñón Arquitectos - HousesStone Houses in Cáceres / Tuñón Arquitectos - HousesStone Houses in Cáceres / Tuñón Arquitectos - HousesStone Houses in Cáceres / Tuñón Arquitectos - More Images+ 35

Cáceres, Spain
  • Architects: Tuñón Arquitectos
    : Emilio Tuñón and Carlos Martínez Albornoz
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  484
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018

Peter Barber's Adventurously Eccentric London Architecture

Peter Barber's Adventurously Eccentric London Architecture - Featured Image
© Peter Barber Architects

London architecture today, for all the big-hitters that dominate the headlines (Foster, Rogers, Heatherwick), finds its richness in small studios. Peter Barber leads one such studio, where for the past 30 years he has led the development of some of the city’s most sensitive housing and housing developments.

Two Student Teams are Announced as the Winners of International VELUX Award 2018

The International VELUX Award 2018 sought to highlight the work of architecture students around the globe who challenge the use of daylight in built environments. The award, titled “Light of Tomorrow,” was launched in 2004 and is awarded biennially for creative interpretation, exploration, and investigation of daylight in built environments. This year, the winners were selected from over 600 submissions.

The Forest House / Bloc Architects + Kevin Lloyd Architects

The Forest House / Bloc Architects + Kevin Lloyd Architects - Houses, Deck, Door, Facade, Beam, Balcony, ChairThe Forest House / Bloc Architects + Kevin Lloyd Architects - Houses, FacadeThe Forest House / Bloc Architects + Kevin Lloyd Architects - Houses, Deck, Facade, Handrail, BalconyThe Forest House / Bloc Architects + Kevin Lloyd Architects - Houses, Kitchen, Beam, Facade, Countertop, Table, ChairThe Forest House / Bloc Architects + Kevin Lloyd Architects - More Images+ 15

PLP Begins Construction on Tower Ten Expansion to Amsterdam's World Trade Center

PLP Architecture’s Tower Ten, the new expansion of the World Trade Center Amsterdam, officially began construction last week. The ground breaking ceremony was launched by deputy director Sandra Thesing of the City of Amsterdam and Ronald van der Waals of CBRE Global Investors. Located in the Zuidas central business district, the project will create a radically different appearance from its predecessor, adding 32,000 sqm of new office space and amenities in the process.

Terrassenhaus Berlin / Brandlhuber + Emde, Burlon + Muck Petzet

Terrassenhaus Berlin / Brandlhuber + Emde, Burlon + Muck Petzet - Gallery, FacadeTerrassenhaus Berlin / Brandlhuber + Emde, Burlon + Muck Petzet - Gallery, Fence, Handrail, FacadeTerrassenhaus Berlin / Brandlhuber + Emde, Burlon + Muck Petzet - Gallery, Facade, ArchTerrassenhaus Berlin / Brandlhuber + Emde, Burlon + Muck Petzet - Gallery, Facade, StairsTerrassenhaus Berlin / Brandlhuber + Emde, Burlon + Muck Petzet - More Images+ 16

Berlin, Germany

A Country House in Chievo / studio wok

A Country House in Chievo / studio wok - Interior Photography, Renovation, Door, FacadeA Country House in Chievo / studio wok - Interior Photography, Renovation, Facade, DoorA Country House in Chievo / studio wok - Interior Photography, Renovation, FacadeA Country House in Chievo / studio wok - RenovationA Country House in Chievo / studio wok - More Images+ 41

  • Architects: studio wok
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  250
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Artemide, Cassina, Fioroni, Flos, Grassi Pietre
  • Professionals: PFM contract, Verona

210 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh

210 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh - Residential, Facade210 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh - Residential, Facade210 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh - Residential, Beam, Facade210 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh - Residential210 Residential Apartment / Negin Shahr Ayandeh - More Images+ 30

Karaj, Iran

Heytea Daydreamer / A.A.N ARCHITECTS

Heytea Daydreamer / A.A.N ARCHITECTS - Coffee Shop, Facade, Table, Lighting, Chair
© Zeng Zhe

Heytea Daydreamer / A.A.N ARCHITECTS - Coffee ShopHeytea Daydreamer / A.A.N ARCHITECTS - Coffee ShopHeytea Daydreamer / A.A.N ARCHITECTS - Coffee Shop, Door, Table, ChairHeytea Daydreamer / A.A.N ARCHITECTS - Coffee Shop, Facade, LightingHeytea Daydreamer / A.A.N ARCHITECTS - More Images+ 23

Shenzhen, China
  • Architects: A.A.N ARCHITECTS
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  486
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  FINE MAKE, Guangzhou Futeng District Technology Co.Ltd, LUXX Newhouse(Guangzhou)Limited

Ninh Binh House / HGAA

Ninh Binh House / HGAA - Interior Photography, Houses, Stairs, Handrail, FacadeNinh Binh House / HGAA - Interior Photography, Houses, Table, ChairNinh Binh House / HGAA - Interior Photography, Houses, TableNinh Binh House / HGAA - HousesNinh Binh House / HGAA - More Images+ 22

Ninh Binh, Vietnam
  • Architects: HGAA
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  110
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Acor, Bosch, Bạch Mã, Kubo, Tostem, +1

Caligari Brewing / LABOTORY

Caligari Brewing / LABOTORY - Brewery, FacadeCaligari Brewing / LABOTORY - Brewery, Door, Facade, BeamCaligari Brewing / LABOTORY - Brewery, Garden, Facade, BeamCaligari Brewing / LABOTORY - BreweryCaligari Brewing / LABOTORY - More Images+ 33

Jongno-gu, South Korea
  • Architects: LABOTORY
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  93
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Benjamin Moore, Dongnam Furniture, Korea Brick, T-Tile, V art

Sury Resort No.3 / Atelier XÜK

Sury Resort No.3 / Atelier XÜK - Commercial Architecture, FacadeSury Resort No.3 / Atelier XÜK - Commercial Architecture, Garden, FacadeSury Resort No.3 / Atelier XÜK - Commercial Architecture, Facade, Beam, Door, BenchSury Resort No.3 / Atelier XÜK - Commercial Architecture, FacadeSury Resort No.3 / Atelier XÜK - More Images+ 21

  • Architects: Atelier XÜK
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  580
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017

Cisco Meraki / Studio O+A

Cisco Meraki / Studio O+A - Interior Photography, Extension, Door, Table, ChairCisco Meraki / Studio O+A - Interior Photography, Extension, Lighting, TableCisco Meraki / Studio O+A - Interior Photography, Extension, Table, ChairCisco Meraki / Studio O+A - Interior Photography, Extension, TableCisco Meraki / Studio O+A - More Images+ 10

  • Interior Designers: Studio O+A
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  55646 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Interface, Amerlux, Architectural Lighting Works, Creative Systems Lighting, Febrik, +7

CASAFRAN / Gonzalo Mardones V Arquitectos

CASAFRAN / Gonzalo Mardones V Arquitectos - HousesCASAFRAN / Gonzalo Mardones V Arquitectos - HousesCASAFRAN / Gonzalo Mardones V Arquitectos - HousesCASAFRAN / Gonzalo Mardones V Arquitectos - HousesCASAFRAN / Gonzalo Mardones V Arquitectos - More Images+ 23

Vitacura, Chile
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  333
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Carolina Hernandez, Italinnea, José María Alemparte, Legrand / Bticino, MK, +1

Heckfield Place / Spratley & Partners

Heckfield Place / Spratley & Partners - Interior Photography, Adaptive Reuse, Beam, Table, Chair
© Peter Cook

Heckfield Place / Spratley & Partners - Interior Photography, Adaptive Reuse, Lighting, ChairHeckfield Place / Spratley & Partners - Exterior Photography, Adaptive Reuse, FacadeHeckfield Place / Spratley & Partners - Interior Photography, Adaptive Reuse, Door, Table, ChairHeckfield Place / Spratley & Partners - Interior Photography, Adaptive Reuse, Beam, Table, ChairHeckfield Place / Spratley & Partners - More Images+ 14

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  63000 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AF Jones, Albion Stone, Atkey & Co, Atlas Schindler, Bauder, +11

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