The Timeless Way of Building explains the ideas of Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language supplies the building blocks and finally The Oregon Experiment the practical application at the campus of the University of Oregon at Eugene, OR.

The book is divided into six chapters. The first chapter "organic order" recapitulates why some English universities work and proclaims that master plan do not due to their technocratic aspirations. Alexander sees a special planning process as the solution. Chapter two "participation" postulates that only (future) users know their requirements and must lead the design process assisted by specialists. Chapter three "piecemeal growth" advises against giant complexes and advocates incremental user-driven growth. A new way of budgeting directing the funds to small projects should ensure piecemeal growth. Chapter four "patterns" offers 18 great, new university-specific patterns and postulates that all proposals must be clothed in community-adopted patterns. Chapter five "diagnosis" shows the main strengths of patterns in analyzing why certain places work. Chapter six "coordination" deals with project applications and approval by the planning board and presents a vision of the development of the university to the Nineties.

Unfortunately, the book ends before his planning process is confronted with reality, especially the ego of donors. The Wikipedia entry has some links about the sad ending of the project. A quick look at the Google map shows that Alexander's ideas have not been realized. Sad. ( )