This book contains a distillation of the most important patterns from [b:A Pattern Language|79766|A Pattern Language Towns, Buildings, Construction|Christopher Alexander|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348983573s/79766.jpg|77027]. As the authors put it,

While there may be many dozens, even hundreds, of patterns that go into the making of homes, there are only a handful that we would now say are essential.

This book takes a stab at defining those essential patterns.

Having read A Pattern Language I approached this book skeptically. I did not think the authors could capture the essence of a good home in 10 patterns. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This book does not contain 10 patterns, in Alexander's sense of the word. It discusses 10 themes. Each theme references several patterns (implicitly or explicitly). I did not keep a formal count, but I would estimate that over half of Alexander's patterns that can be applied to home design are referenced in this book. This new look at the patterns makes the book worth reading even if you have read A Pattern Language, but it also makes it worth reading if you care about what makes a good home but do not want to read the nearly 1200 pages that make up A Pattern Language. If you are buying or building a home, it should be recommended reading.

Without further detail the 10 themes are: Inhabiting the Site; Creating Rooms, Outside and In; Sheltering Roof; Capturing Light; Parts in Proportion; The Flow Through Rooms; Private Edges, Common Core; Refuge and Outlook; Places in Between; Composing with Materials. ( )

If you are building a home or remodeling, and were going to purchase just one book, this is it! Basics such as situating on the site, light, proportion are addressed. The photos are beautiful. The entire book is an inspiration. I had read the original version and was so glad to find this updated version. ( )