10/10/2017

Over the past two decades, Christopher Alexander’s pattern language approach has been used in a growing number of fields from design, management, pedagogy and healthcare. This interdisciplinary, participative tool opens up innovative ways to gather and communicate knowledge. In the run-up to the PURPLSOC world conference, now anyone interested has an opportunity to discover and experience the world of pattern languages at the Open Session at Danube University Krems on 19 October 2017, and how these can contribute to social transformation.

The Vienna-born architect Christopher Alexander, whose academic stages of life include Cambridge, Harvard and Berkeley, is considered a pioneer and originator of one of the most significant pattern languages of our time. This form of communication enables discourse about complex issues and developing new ideas across different disciplines, thereby providing an effective instrument for participative collaboration in all fields and professions.

Alexander’s approaches have seen systematically undergoing development over recent years and areapplied in many different areas today. Pattern languages can be found, for example, in design and media work, software development, management, in teaching, healthcare as well as in civil society contexts.

Now, the Open Session „Discover Patterns!“ on 19 October 2017 at Danube University Krems offers an opportunity to explore the potential of pattern languages and their possible areas of application. Along with an introduction to the topic, there will also be a chance to inform oneself about the many application examples from practice and to speak with Max Jacobsen, the co-author of Christopher Alexander‘s famous work "A Pattern Language."

PURPLSOC Conference
This event takes place in the run-up to the second PURPLSOC (Pursuit of Pattern Languages for Societal Change) World Conference, held from 19 to 21 October 2017 at Danube University Krems. There, the latest developments in applying Christopher Alexander’s pattern language approach will be presented, discussed and reflected.

More than 50 speakers from 13 countries will present many best practice examples from a wide range of areas. Topics will include applying pattern languages for “refugees in Europe,” for “the creation of a good learning environment for seniors” and for “revitalizing inner cities.”

Discover Patterns!
When: 19 October 2017
Time: 1pm to 5.30pm
Where: Danube University Krems, Audimax
Participation is free of charge

PURPLSOC Conference
When: 19 October to 21 October 2017
Where: Danube University Krems

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