If you look at any leaf on any tree branch, it's similar to but not exactly a repetition of the previous branch. So the new science of complexity or showing how an architecture can be produced just as quickly, cheaply and efficiently by using computer production methods to get the slight variation, the self-similarity.

The quote by Charles Jencks, “If you look at any leaf on any tree branch, it's similar to but not exactly a repetition of the previous branch. So the new science of complexity or showing how an architecture can be produced just as quickly, cheaply and efficiently by using computer production methods to get the slight variation, the self-similarity,” reflects Jencks’s fascination with the intersection of nature, science, and architecture. As a leading architectural theorist and co-founder of postmodernism in architecture, Jencks was known for his ability to interpret and communicate how broader cultural and scientific ideas influence design.

In this quote, Jencks draws inspiration from nature’s geometry, particularly the concept of self-similarity, where patterns repeat at various scales with subtle differences—seen in tree branches, snowflakes, or coastlines. This natural phenomenon mirrors the principles found in chaos theory and the science of complexity, which he believed could profoundly inform architectural design. Instead of relying on rigid repetition or uniformity, these systems allow for variation within order, making structures feel more organic and responsive.

Jencks emphasizes that through computer-aided design and digital fabrication, it’s now possible to replicate this kind of natural complexity in buildings—producing elements that are alike but not identical, efficiently and cost-effectively. This approach contrasts with the mass production methods of the 20th century, which favored identical components for the sake of economy. In Jencks’s vision, technology re-enables individuality and richness in architecture, even at large scales.

The origin of this quote lies in Jencks’s lifelong effort to integrate scientific ideas into architectural discourse. His work, including books like The Architecture of the Jumping Universe and The New Paradigm in Architecture, explores how cosmology, biology, and complex systems theory can influence how we design and understand the built environment. This quote encapsulates his belief that architecture should evolve in harmony with both natural systems and technological innovation, celebrating diversity, adaptability, and the beauty of variation.