Here are some notes on where pattern language is coming from.
Christopher Alexander (www.mediamatic.nl 
) is an architect and professor emeritus at Cal Berkeley. He originated the patterns concept in the later 1960s and early '70s.
- Jenny Quillen, *The history of the pattern language*,
Wise Democracy Project pattern language website
- 'A child's history' on Chris Alexander's pattern language site webpage
- Whole makes its parts - Centres in Alexander's perspective in *The nature of order*.