The pattern language approach allows the solutions to large scale problems to evolve from small scale solutions of local impacts. Thus, the design and construction of livable and beautiful buildings, gardens, and neighborhoods, is always understood both in the local context of the project, as well as in the context of more global issues. Each individual project, while solving a particular local problem, can thus contribute to the emergence of a larger and more coherent whole, and a new positive Reality.

There is little doubt that one of the largest challenge facing humanity in this century is to build a post-carbon civilization: an economy that is not based on exponential growth depleting the world’s resources, and yet is able to support human life with dignity. This enormous task cannot be achieved top-down, nor can it be built from the bottom-up only – it has to combine both approaches.

How can the pattern language approach help us to confront this challenges?

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The destruction and banalization of beauty may be considered a major problem in the world. In the past century beauty has become suspect as a value; it is often seen as an unnecessary and unimportant luxury or frivolity. Architects and urban planners are uncomfortable discussing it. Yet, evidence shows its enduring power, importance and value in nature and human life.

People seek beauty in their surroundings and value it. At the heart of many social and environmental movements is a vision of the beauty of the natural world, and of society living in harmony within it. In this conference we are concerned with applications that help to bring beauty back into our everyday ordinary life, building and construction.

How might patterns help bring about beautiful buildings, building clusters, streets, grassroots actions, local activities and livable, beautiful, neighborhoods and cities? How can we learn to recognize beauty within our own selves, and use it as a guide to making a more wholesome, sustainable world? How can beauty be reintroduced as a core value in architectural education?

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The Pattern Language approach is a qualitative research and design method that has been applied in a considerable number of academic fields and professions. It is used in social, spatial and information sciences and in the arts, as a method of tackling complexity at different scales. In our conferences, we are looking for concrete local solutions that can contribute in dealing with large scale environmental and social problems such as: climate change, forced migration and refugees, homelessness, growing inequality, over-urbanization, and the crisis in democratic governance.

One key element of any pattern or pattern language is to find solutions to problems, large or small, local or regional. Here we are working with processes of generation and regeneration, participation and involvement, grassroots and direct activities, such as the design and development of clusters and neighborhoods for refugees. We also work directly with our hands to create beautiful and edible gardens, shelter facilities for tsunami victims, and public urban furniture. Most recently, we look into urban public health improvement, seeking regeneration of life on earth.

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