A Comparative Study of the Links between Thom’s Structural Stability and Alexander’s the Nature of Order

The ideas of René Thom in model building and topological morphogenesis are well known in interdisciplinary studies of biology, sociology and linguistics. However, these concepts are not yet linked to architectural theories. In order to initiate the discussion this paper examines some of the links between Thom’s ideas in Structural Stability and Christopher Alexander’s theory in The Nature of Order. In particular, it suggests the use of model building techniques and topological tools needed for the study of forms introduced by Thom in architectural theories and proposes some ideas for deeper research into the roots of these theoretical connections.