Christopher Alexander's "Cascade of Roofs" pattern will shelter me always. His 1977 book "A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction" will help you turn complexity into simplicity. Having only read two so far, I hope one day to fully comprehend his "Nature of Order" opus.
"People are deeply nourished by the process of creating wholeness" - Christopher Alexander
Thanks to Alexander's efforts, we have a detailed pattern to follow, learn from, and continue to build upon (and with).
R.I.P.