Editing Pattern (architecture) (section)

{{for|the use of the same term in software design|Architectural pattern}}
'''Pattern''' in [[architecture]] is the idea of capturing [[design|architectural design]] ideas as archetypal and reusable descriptions.  The term ''pattern'' in this context is usually attributed to [[Christopher Alexander]],<ref>{{Cite book
| publisher = Oxford University Press, USA
| isbn = 0-19-501919-9
| last = Alexander
| first = Christopher
| title = A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction
| year = 1977
| page = [https://archive.org/details/patternlanguage00chri/page/1216 1216]
| url-access = registration
| url = https://archive.org/details/patternlanguage00chri/page/1216
}}</ref> an Austrian born [[United States|American]] [[architect]]. The patterns serve as an aid to design [[city|cities]] and [[building]]s. The concept of having collections of "patterns", or typical samples as such, is much older. One can think of these collections as forming a [[pattern language]], whereas the elements of this language may be combined, governed by certain rules.

This may be distinct from common use of [[pattern books]], which are collections of architectural plans which may be copied in new works.