What is a living tradition? It begins with something that resonates enough with the average citizens that they want to repeat it on their house, on their shop, or in their town. Repeated enough over time, it becomes a pattern. Loved enough by the culture in which it resides, the pattern becomes a tradition. The Most-Loved Places are therefore all by definition traditional places. So what are some of the characteristics of a living tradition? The first characteristic of a living tradition is that it isn't something that's known only by specialists, but rather something that everyone understands. Right now, we need specialists to help recover the wisdom that has been lost and to put it into tools like plan books and pattern books, but the ultimate goal of those tools should be to help everyone understand how to build a proper front porch, how to case out a front door, or how to lay out a house around a sunny garden spot. That's why this book includes principles, rather than just house plans. The second characteristic of a living tradition is that the patterns that make up the tradition are handed down from generation to generation. Patterns can best be passed down if they are easy to perceive, easy to love, and easy to build. The third characteristic of a living tradition is that it changes over time, as does any living thing. This isn't about building an architectural history museum that stays the same forever, but rather about building places that resonate with people and meet their needs. For example, one of the most pressing needs on the Gulf Coast right now is temporary houses that can be built very quickly and inexpensively so that families can live there while they are re-building their main houses. Later, they can keep the Tiny House for a home workshop, guest cottage, or some other use. Plans for Tiny Houses didn't exist before the hurricane; they were designed in response to a clear and present need. Thin House plans came about in much the same way.