### Problem >The archetypal zen view occurs in a famous Japanese house, which gives this pattern its name. ### Solution >If there is a beautiful view, don’t spoil it by building huge windows that gape incessantly at it. Instead, put the windows which look onto the view at places of transition — along paths, in hallways, in entry ways, on stairs, between rooms. >If the view window is correctly placed, people will see a glimpse of the distant view as they come up to the window or pass it: but the view is never visible from the places where people stay. ### Related Patterns ... how should we make the most of a view? It turns out that the pattern which answers this question helps to govern not the rooms and windows in a building, but the places of transition. It helps to place and detail [[Entrance Transition (112)]], [[Entrance Room (130)]], [[Short Passages (132)]], [[Staircase as a Stage (133)]] - and outside, [[Paths and Goals (120)]]. Put in the windows to complete the indirectness of the view - [[Natural Doors and Windows (221)]] place them to help the [[Tapestry of Light and Dark (135)]] and build a seat from which a person can enjoy the view - [[Window Place (180)]]. If the view must be visible from inside a room, make a special corner of the room which looks onto the view, so that the enjoyment of the view becomes a definite act in its own right ... --- > [!cite]- Alexander, Christopher. _A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction_. Oxford University Press, 1977, p. 641. > #APL/confidence/medium > > #APL/Building-Patterns/Light-and-Space