Winding streets

Christopher Alexander's essential book, A Pattern Language, defines architectural and town design patterns that have become part of the human canon over thousands of years.

Winding streets constitute part of the grammar of town (and city) design. I find it nearly impossible to articulate the effect of magic and sense of expectation that is created by streets that wind, whether by purposeful design or simply by happy accident of topography.

Here are a couple of examples—unfortunately rare in Los Angeles—from my recent photo outings:

Longwood Avenue (click here for a larger view)

Schumacher Drive, Carthay Circle