--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is a fundamental view of the world…" description: "\"This is a fundamental view of the world. It says that when you build a thing you cannot merely build that thing in isolation, but must repair the world..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b4/christopher-alexander-14502_around_this-is-a-fundamental-view-of-the-world_1391317.jpg" --- # This is a fundamental view of the world. It says that when… ![“This is a fundamental view of the world. It says that when you build a thing you cannot merely build that thing in isolation, but must repair the world around it, and within it, so that the larger world at that one place becomes more coherent, and more whole; and the thing which you make takes its…” quote by Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b4/christopher-alexander-14502_around_this-is-a-fundamental-view-of-the-world_1391317.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b4/christopher-alexander-14502_around_this-is-a-fundamental-view-of-the-world_1391317.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b4/christopher-alexander-14502_around_this-is-a-fundamental-view-of-the-world_1391317.jpg) > “This is a fundamental view of the world. It says that when you build a thing you cannot merely build that thing in isolation, but must repair the world around it, and within it, so that the larger world at that one place becomes more coherent, and more whole; and the thing which you make takes its place in the web of nature, as you make it.” [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creating something requires integrating it with its environment, ensuring coherence and wholeness in the larger system. **In simple terms:** Design must fit and improve its surrounding context. Key Takeaway Design with holistic integration. Themes design systems coherence Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - architecture - software development - urban planning Key Concepts holism integration environmental fit Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your creation fits its context? - What trade‑offs arise when integrating with existing systems? A Different Perspective Complex systems may resist seamless integration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coherent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coherent/) [Isolation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isolation/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Web](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/web/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“That story had at its core a discussion of my fundamental view that nothing in life is certain and that, consequently, all decisions are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-rubin/that-story-had-at-its-core-a-discussion-of-my-fundamental-view-that-2/) Robert E. Rubin > [I've learned that everyone can do their part to repair the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-mass/i-ve-learned-that-everyone-can-do-their-part-to-repair-the-world/) [Wendy Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-mass/) > [I lived, while 1 1/2 million Jewish children died. So I have an obligation to repair the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-lived-while-1-1-2-million-jewish-children-died-so-i-have-an/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [We are here to repair the world. I grew up thinking that was what everybody was trying to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/we-are-here-to-repair-the-world-i-grew-up-thinking-that-was-what/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Tikkun Olam Repair The World is simple, powerful, to the point and so professional sounding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-lavin/tikkun-olam-repair-the-world-is-simple-powerful-to-the-point-and-so/) [Christine Lavin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-lavin/) > [I wonder if real art comes when you build the thing that they don't have a prize for yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/i-wonder-if-real-art-comes-when-you-build-the-thing-that-they-don-t/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [I want to build some thing permanent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-want-to-build-some-thing-permanent/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [A writers job is to destroy and then to build the thing back up again by a chosen means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-hannah/a-writers-job-is-to-destroy-and-then-to-build-the-thing-back-up-again/) [Barry Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-hannah/) > [I think the gangster way to do it is to go out on your own, build up your own thing, and then have people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ti-west/i-think-the-gangster-way-to-do-it-is-to-go-out-on-your-own-build-up/) [Ti West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ti-west/) > [My judgment is that research in 'Star Wars' is going to fail, and I believe this so strongly that I'm willing to stake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-judgment-is-that-research-in-star-wars-is-going-to-fail-and-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A writer's job is to destroy and then to build the thing back up again by a chosen means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-hannah/a-writer-s-job-is-to-destroy-and-then-to-build-the-thing-back-up/) [Barry Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-hannah/) > [Well-roundedness comes not from sitting in a classroom but from experiencing the larger world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-tabarrok/well-roundedness-comes-not-from-sitting-in-a-classroom-but-from/) [Alex Tabarrok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-tabarrok/) > [My experiences growing up - my father lived in New York, so I was going out there in the summers and meeting really interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/my-experiences-growing-up-my-father-lived-in-new-york-so-i-was-going/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [...the larger world lay not across oceans but within the human mind and heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/the-larger-world-lay-not-across-oceans-but-within-the-human-mind-and/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [I guess I see 'Goo' half as a really New York record because I think there are a lot of really particular New York…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-ranaldo/i-guess-i-see-goo-half-as-a-really-new-york-record-because-i-think/) [Lee Ranaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-ranaldo/) ## More by Christopher Alexander > [The more living patterns there are in a place - a room, a building, or a town - the more it comes to life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/the-more-living-patterns-there-are-in-a-place-a-room-a-building-or-a/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [I mean, making simulations of what you're going to build is tremendously useful if you can get feedback from them that will tell you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/i-mean-making-simulations-of-what-you-re-going-to-build-is/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [It is not possible to make great buildings, or great towns, beautiful places, places where you feel yourself, places where you feel alive, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/it-is-not-possible-to-make-great-buildings-or-great-towns-beautiful/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [In an organic environment, every place is unique, and the different places also cooperate, with no parts left over, to create a global whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/in-an-organic-environment-every-place-is-unique-and-the-different/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [Drawings help people to work out intricate relationships between parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/drawings-help-people-to-work-out-intricate-relationships-between-parts/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [There is one timeless way of building. It is a thousand years old, and the same today as it has ever been. The great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/there-is-one-timeless-way-of-building-it-is-a-thousand-years-old-and/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [The structure of life I have described in buildings - the structure which I believe to be objective - is deeply and inextricably connected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/the-structure-of-life-i-have-described-in-buildings-the-structure-2/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [We must face the fact that we are on the brink of times when man may be able to magnify his intellectual and inventive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/we-must-face-the-fact-that-we-are-on-the-brink-of-times-when-man-may/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [In short, no pattern is an isolated entity. Each pattern can exist in the world only to the extent that is supported by other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/in-short-no-pattern-is-an-isolated-entity-each-pattern-can-exist-in/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [In my life as an architect, I found that the single thing which inhibits young professionals, new students most severely, is their acceptance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/in-my-life-as-an-architect-i-found-that-the-single-thing-which/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [Speaking as a builder, if you start something, you must have a vision of the thing which arises from your instinct about preserving and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/speaking-as-a-builder-if-you-start-something-you-must-have-a-vision/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [It is possible to make buildings by stringing together patterns, in a rather loose way. A building made like this, is an assembly of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/it-is-possible-to-make-buildings-by-stringing-together-patterns-in-a/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [All space and matter, organic or inorganic, has some degree of life in it, and matter/space is more alive or less alive according to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/all-space-and-matter-organic-or-inorganic-has-some-degree-of-life-in/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [There are some geologists involved with prospecting for oil and other hidden resources who can pick up a rock and say, 'Yes, there's oil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/there-are-some-geologists-involved-with-prospecting-for-oil-and-other/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) > [To work our way towards a shared language once again, we must first learn how to discover patterns which are deep, and capable of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-alexander/to-work-our-way-towards-a-shared-language-once-again-we-must-first/) [Christopher Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) [Explore all 46 Christopher Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-alexander/) ## More Around quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. 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I guess what is fun about this role in 'Suburgatory' is that there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-guess-i-m-attracted-to-things-that-are-fun-i-guess-what-is-fun/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [When I was a teen, I would draw a really, really long line around my eyes with eyeliner, like Lola Flores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalia/when-i-was-a-teen-i-would-draw-a-really-really-long-line-around-my/) [Rosalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalia/) > [I think the issues around diversity of all kinds are really a huge problem in the startup world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lyons/i-think-the-issues-around-diversity-of-all-kinds-are-really-a-huge/) [Daniel Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lyons/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/) [Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/) > [I can look around a room and tell you if there are hidden cameras or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ash/i-can-look-around-a-room-and-tell-you-if-there-are-hidden-cameras-or/) [Lauren Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ash/) > [You couldn't get me to go travel around and sit in a hotel room again. I have no interest in doing that. So everybody's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-everly/you-couldn-t-get-me-to-go-travel-around-and-sit-in-a-hotel-room-again/) [Phil Everly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-everly/) > [I drink maple syrup. Then I'm hyper so I just run around like crazy and work it all off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-drink-maple-syrup-then-i-m-hyper-so-i-just-run-around-like-crazy/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I have to say, I grew up with fashion because my mother was a seamstress, and she had an atelier. 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