Learning from traditional architects

This paper focuses on lessons that can be learned from looking at the history of traditional architecture. When architects stayed aloof from the common building activities during the Industrial Revolution, a low standard of building resulted, and the needs of the people were made subservient to the needs of industry. Can we apply lessons from traditional architecture to software? This paper reflects on the role of usability patterns and suggests there are probably other lessons which can be learned, for example, in terms of affective interfaces.