Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1990.Includes bibliographical references (p. 83).This thesis presents an exploration on the theme of order and chaos, as a formal and social phenomenon, particularly as it relates to housing. The work stems from an attraction to the messy vitality we find in certain environments (such as back alleys), and searches for an understanding of the relationship that exists between the chaos and the underlying order. Chaos is defined and defended, as a crucial component of our lives in social and urbanistic terms. A parallel interest is revealed in a review of particular 20th century art. Modern housing approaches are critiqued in terms of an order/chaos relationship, ...