I can't resist posting some patterns observed by a neighbor at Alexander's actual residence in Berkeley:
"Another Pattern Language: Real Life Patterns Chez Christopher Alexander"
"Another Pattern Language: Real Life Patterns Chez Christopher Alexander"
Have you read the book? Its merits are fairly self-evident if you read a few pages, regardless of the author's choice of paint colors for his own house.
I know the creator of the presentation, and do not see him as someone who tears down the famous for cheap notoriety, as you accuse. He truly lives not far from Alexander; his professional reputation as an author/consultant/educator is secure; he hasn't promoted his wry little parody widely.
I suspect neighbors did resent the 'curb appeal' of Alexander's property (and still do if circumstances remain similar). The Berkeley hills are fairly upscale real estate.
Alexander goes beyond the drought-resistant, no-maintenance yard to the maintenance-free, barren yard. Natural as a hippy’s armpit, this hardscrabble, lifeless expanse, especially in the midst of neighboring houses with specimen plants and lush yards trumpets the owner’s iconoclastic avant-guard design sensibility. It screams, “I’m different.” ...
Alexander does both himself and his neighbors a favor by dumping the detritus of past projects in his front yard. Neighbors report that property values (and therefore property taxes) are lower when they have line-of-sight to the Alexander home. ...
Pattern No. 12: DISHEVELED ENTRANCE
You know you can get away with wearing blue jeans inside when you pass by this funky collection of neglected plants and broken fence just before getting to the door.