Patterns

PatternDynamics™ (PD) Patterns are diagrams that help us see invisible forms of organisation. Their power lies in acting as symbols allowing us to identify, communicate and work with natural organising principles.

Each of the PD Patterns to the left is drawn in a way that illustrates the organising principle it represents. You can learn all the PatternDynamics™ Patterns by clicking here to view PD Charts and links to definitions.

Architect Christopher Alexander, founder of the concept of a Pattern Language, relates the importance of pattern symbols:

       “… I found that the diagrams themselves had immense power, and that, in fact, most of the power of what I had written lay in the power of these patterns.”                                       (Notes on the Synthesis of Form, 1963)

The PD Patterns themselves are more akin to words in spoken language: it is by learning their meanings and by combining them to communicate that they become a Pattern ‘language’. PatternDynamics™ is designed to be used for communicating the principles of systems thinking, complex problem solving, and sustainable design.

PatternDynamics™ is based on the ideas of a number of theorists:

• It is a Pattern Language in the style of Christopher Alexander‘s work in formulating an architectural design pattern language (see above).
• It is an integrative application influenced by Ken Wilber‘s AQAL Integral model, and
• It is a sustainability tool based on an approach to natural patterns and principles pioneered by David Holmgren and Bill Mollison, co-founders of the Permaculture concept.