Friedensreich Hundertwasser is an artist and architect who has taken permaculture principles like integrate, don’t segregate, to the next level. He designs his buildings with a minimum of straight lines, to replicate more natural patterns. He integrates trees and parks, work spaces, living spaces, cultural spaces, and shopping all in the same building, with the building itself being a work of art.
He strove to design buildings that were “alive and growing”, whose functions would change just like the trees that grew through the windows.
Hundertwasserhaus (German. hundred water house) in Vienna has trees growing through some of the rooms, a park on the roof, uneven floors to replicate a forest floor, rooms that are works of art, cultural space, work spaces, community spaces, kids’ play areas, etc. He has combined all aspects of the permaculture flower in this building.
Hundertwasser creates a fantasy castle apartment house with a large meandering park on the rooftop.
Some architects and planners have taken these ideas and scaled them up for modern cities.
Some architects and planners have taken these ideas and scaled them up for modern cities.
A planned project in Silicon Valley is set to be the biggest green roof in the world, covering 30 acres encompassing entire blocks of large buildings. It incorporates rain catchment, greywater use and renewable energy. The project will include orchards, grapevines, a native plant wildlife preserve, running trails, kids play areas, woods, meadows, hills and valleys, an outdoor amphitheater, and many gathering places.
Hands On Activity
As a brainstorm exercise, go through your home and name as many yields as you can that you could capture from it, referring to the permaculture flower for reference and ideas. How can you integrate your needs and the needs of your land, with the resources your house can provide? Be creative, think outside the box, don’t worry about whether your ideas are feasible - shoot for the moon.