A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

By: Jon Krakauer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Here is Jon Krakauer’s portrait of the iconoclastic architect Christopher Alexander, whose revolutionary human-centered approach has shaken the foundations of modern architecture.

Krakauer delves into Alexander’s life and career, from his theories on a timeless “pattern language” that could be used to create buildings and towns that were simultaneously more livable and more beautiful, to his belief that architecture is correctly viewed as a powerful social instrument; from his on-site drafting techniques to his design process that, like a cocoon, shapes a building from the inside out. With trademark rigor, nuance, and insight, Krakauer powerfully draws us into Alexander’s singular vision of human-centered design—one in which people reclaim control over their built environment.

A peek inside of Alexander

I’ve had a pattern language as a reference guide as an architects and builder for over 30 years. I knew next to nothing about Christopher Alexander himself. Very informative story.
As a huge fan of Jon K’s writing I just had to give it a listen.

not the one you want

This is not the hemingway short i wanted. who dare name their short story the same as his classic.