This is Lecture 4: “Computing the regional adaptivity index of a form language”, by Nikos A. Salingaros, Professor of Mathematics and Architecture at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Included: Comparison among different form languages. Degree of complexity as a measure of their adaptivity. Regionalism as adaptation to locality. Regional versus global: a practical dimension for classifying form languages. Philosophical justifications for form languages. 

Unified Architectural Theory, Lecture 4: “Computing the regional adaptivity index of a form language”.

Readings for Lecture 4: “Computing the regional adaptivity index of a form language”.

  1. Alexander, The Phenomenon of Life, “Conclusion”. 
  2. Salingaros, Nikos A.. "ch. 6 (11). Degree of Complexity Measures a Form Language's Adaptivity." In Unified Architectural Theory: Form, Language, Complexity—a Companion to Christopher Alexander's "The Phenomenon of Life : the Nature of Order, Book 1", 63-67. Portland, Oregon and Kathmandu, Nepal: Sustasis Foundation and Vajra Books, 2013.
  3. Salingaros, Nikos A.. "ch. 9-A+B (14). Human Physiology and Evidence-Based Design, Parts 1, 2." In Unified Architectural Theory: Form, Language, Complexity—a Companion to Christopher Alexander's "The Phenomenon of Life : the Nature of Order, Book 1", 81-85. Portland, Oregon and Kathmandu, Nepal: Sustasis Foundation and Vajra Books, 2013.
  4. Salingaros, Nikos. Kolmogorov-Chaitin Complexity In Meandering Through Mathematics., 2012.
  5. Mehaffy & Salingaros, “Evidence-Based Design” (included as Chapter 15 of Unified Architectural Theory). https://www.metropolismag.com/design/design-education/frontiers-of-design-science-evidence-based-design/
  6. Salingaros, “Pattern language and form language”, 2015 video from the Laajverd Visiting School. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiGlhj-wyYo
  7. Form Language Checklist (Chapters 37 & 38 of Unified Architectural Theory), and an Editable Version
  8. A Form Language’s Regional Adaptation Index (Chapter 41 of Unified Architectural Theory)

Texts discussed:

  • Christopher Alexander (2001) The Nature of Order, Book 1: The Phenomenon of Life, Center for Environmental Structure, Berkeley, California. Buy in the USA from: oxbowbooks.com and internationally from: eurospanbookstore.com or from any online bookstore.                     
  • Nikos Salingaros (2013) Unified Architectural Theory: Form, Language, Complexity, Sustasis Press, Portland, Oregon. Buy the paper book from the publisher in the USA levellerspress.com, European edition mijnbestseller.nl, and Asian Edition vajrabookshop.com.1