Notes on the Synthesis of Form

Christopher Alexander

Unselfconscious	Selfconscious
craft / form making learned through imitation and correction result of gradual adaptation minor adjustments closeness and immediacy of materials immediate action in reaction to failure impermanent constructions tradition e.g. bycicle riding	design learned academically, according to explicit rules dynamic, rapid change spasmodic global changes reaction to failure is less direct, frequent repairs and readjustments are less common permanent constructions universal design / sameness e.g. lifesaving

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Unselfconscious culture acquires its knowledge through experience. A perfect form is achieved by experimentation, adaptation and gradual adjustments. These changes go unnoticed because form and its context evolve simultaneously and keep changing together continuously.

Unselfconscious culture live its creations and designs. It did not have the luxury of being able to distance themselves from its needs and think abstractly. If everyone was sufficient for themselves, class struggle and the division of labour was not one of the controlling issues. Therefore the situation allowed a smooth transition of meaning for objects and readjustment of their cultural and social significance.

Selfconscious culture operate differently. They propose a different way of life. Assertion of individuality is an important feature of selconsciousness. That is to say that a designer wants to differentiate himself in the world of monotonous images, in the sphere of universal designing, where sameness dominates. Eventhough everyone is trying to break the rules and pull away from tradition, exactly this behaviour and attitude, multiplied by the amount of people generate this sameness and flatness. Differentiation in mass sense creates this sameness.

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