Permaculture as Design

Permaculture, as outlined in our definition, has its backbone in design.  Design in this context can be seen in the below quote within the graphic, “A beneficial assembly of components in their proper relationship”.  This means we have to overlay information with creativity and sythesize an outline of development.  And as the below graph from Mollison’s Introduction to Permaculture book shows, the design process is a complex quadrant to manifest the harmony that Permaculture promises.  We need to be able to observe in a way that reveals patterns and record and integrate tangible information around the following:

• The Site
• Energy
• The Abstract Factors
• The Social dynamics: those both visible and invisible.

With all of these factors concentrated into a design and subsequent project management plan, success is much closer and abundance just around the corner.

Mollison Permaculture Design Quadrant

Permaculture as Design Process

The design process that we use comes from my Permaculture Teachers Training Course with Benjamin Farher and Kat Steele at the Esalen Institute (2008) and is an evolving topic. We use a hybrid process based on this simple pattern shown below, the core model, that Bill Mollison said all patterns spawn from.  It is a fluid process that allows the user to go through a linear process while accepting the holism of design.  This holistic perspective gives you the ability to back track at any moment to any step and the re-evaluation process. We flow form intention with the ethics of Permaculture guiding and root ourselves in observation that is protracted (over an extended period of time) and thoughtful.  Then the fluidity of information and creativity can form the sacred symbol of the never ending figure eight.

Permaculture as Design Manifestation

From there we can look at the different ways in which design is manifested.  Not all design has to be done on paper or computer and when working in areas of low literacy, the 3D option increases the usability of the design process.  Design helps us to understand spatial and time relationships and using the 3D model allows us to possibly comprehend slope even better than the 2D option.  Topographic lines are very powerful but architects, developers, and project managera take those and form 3D images very often with sponge board or now with Google Sketchup or AutoCad.  Obviously in many contexts of permaculture, the simple method of using clay, sticks, stones, sand, cardboard and other materials creates a good tool for laying out a site or designing a building.

Design can also be manifested on the computer as seen below from this design for a community garden in a food desert in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.  It is a retrofit project as the original manifestation died out but we are re-enlivening it.  We are hoping to make it more than just some straight row garden beds but also a place to be and production from tree crops and the food forest system with water harvesting swales.  The design here has helped us to capture more energy in the form of investment dollars and CSA subscriptions. The software I use is Powerpoint and if this peaks your curiosity, please read the following:

• Doug Crouch on How to Use PowerPoint as a Design Tool
  

From these larger site designs, patch or project details can be used to further explain particulars of the design. This allows you to use both plan view, looking from above, and section view, looking from the side, to articulate those space and time relationships. Clients will expect this of you and as you practice the process will get more efficient.

Below is a paper design done in a PDC that I was an assistant for back in 2008 at Tui Community on the North coast of the South Island of New Zealand.  This particular drawing had quite a talented artist in the group and those skills are obviously displayed here.  In a PDC this is normally what you are asked to produce as well as the above examples of patch designs.

Design can also be manifested in the form of project management mind maps or simple flows of energy within a business.  Normally these tools help to design a plan but can substitute when the context is appropriate.

Cascading Nutrients- ZERI business model- credit Gunter Pauli- The Blue Economy

Ultimately this quote below sums up why we take the time to go through a Permaculture Design.  It is by no means an easy process because essentially you are creating a giant vision for what you what in your life, in your community, or you are doing this for a client and they will always find resistance within the process.  It is a process that is new and scary for most but do not let fear keep you from realizing your dreams.

From this design work, extends a call to action that Bill Mollison says so well below.  Consumers to Producers!!!!!  What are you producing?

References:

Mollison, B. & Slay, R.M. (1991) Introdcution to permaculture. 2^nd Edition. Sisters Creek, Tasmania, Australia. Tagari.

Pauli, G. (2010). The blue economy:10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs.  Taos, New Mexico: Paradise Publications.

Written by Doug Crouch

Header art by Sien Verpoest