Christopher Alexander examines why certain built environments possess more “life” than others. Central to his theory is the concept of “centers”—distinct, coherent parts within a larger whole that influence each other’s intensity. He argues that life can be objectively sensed and measured, supported by 15 fundamental geometric properties found in nature and traditional architecture. Alexander contends that these properties, which foster human well-being, have largely vanished in modern design, impacting our connection to built spaces.

In Volume 2, Christopher Alexander explores the evolutionary process of creating “life” in design through incremental, “structure-preserving transformations”—small changes that maintain the coherence of prior steps. He contrasts these with "structure-destroying transformations" common in modern architecture. Alexander argues that a skilled designer uses transformations to introduce depth, guided by 15 geometric properties, and sympathizes with architects limited by industrialized processes that prevent creating structures with life, reflecting deeper systemic issues in modern building practices.

Volume 3, titled A Vision of a Living World, showcases hundreds of projects by Alexander and his contemporaries that embody his theory of living process. Featuring neighborhoods, public spaces, and construction details, the book illustrates how life-creating principles can shape spaces that resonate archetypically with human experience. Through hundreds of photos and project discussions, Alexander offers an accessible, intuitive guide for architects, builders, and laypeople alike to envision a harmonious world where beauty, ecology, and culture intersect.

The fourth book in The Nature of Order series challenges mechanistic views of the universe, arguing that modern architecture’s dehumanized, investment-driven designs disconnect us from spirit, emotion, and feeling. Alexander proposes a new cosmology where matter is imbued with consciousness, making space and matter deeply personal and spiritual. A 100-page chapter on color illustrates how spirit manifests in the world. This vision, blending science and emotion, calls for buildings rooted in personal experience, reshaping our concept of place and design.