These are some notes on the design process. We’ll be going over these in detail throughout the course. We’re putting these notes in one place so you can refer to it in one document. Don’t worry about understanding each aspect of this process yet.
It is impossible to provide a sequence that will always be right and can be followed rotely, because each site and client is unique, but we can nonetheless give you guidance on how to be efficient and effective in the time you spend. A thorough design will use all or most of these tools. The below sequences can help you cut down on double work and time wasting. Here is Bill Mollison’s version:
- Collect all data: the client's requirements, maps, local regulations.
- Analyze the client's problems and opportunities.
- Recognize those permaculture principles that fit this particular situation and can be applied to the problems.
- Apply permaculture principles specifically to the problems involved.
- Design solutions in the form of edges, patterning, increased functional relationships.
- Check everything over to make sure this solution adequately meets all the client's needs, and takes care of all problems. Once you have covered everything, you can write the report.
Note: The below includes professional tools for professional designs. If designing your own home, it is up to you how elaborate your drawings and report are. I personally prefer to place trees visually in the field, on my own land and with clients if possible. There are perceptions involved that don’t end up on paper. We all have different intelligences and ways to approach the design process. Getting some familiarity with all of these tools tends to help people create a better design whether for yourself or others. Some of these concepts or tools will be more useful to you than others. Try them out and see what is a good fit!
Data Gathering
Know before you go. The more data you can get about the site, the more sustainable your design is likely to be, and the less you will have to do over. You will want to get all of the below info gathered in order to do a thorough design. This is the “Observe and Interact” step of the process.
Assessment/site Analysis Sequence (approximate)
- Client interview - this gives you an overview of what you will want to accomplish. This includes the client goals and is well worth spending time on!
- Base map - have this with you when doing site walk and survey
- Site walk - take notes or videos/pictures. You want to get a feel for the site, especially things that don’t show up so well on a map.
- Site assessment - This is raw data about the site. Part of this can be done during the walk. I carry the site assessment template with me and fill it in where I can.
- Research any further info needed - extreme temperatures, site history, soil report, topography, microclimates, etc. The client may be asked to do some of this research or may know it. I do this before the site walk if I can; gives me some ideas of what to look for sometimes.
- Analysis of site - Now you bring the data together and start thinking with how you want to interact with it. This includes sectors, needs and resources, challenges and opportunities
Site survey tools, physical
These are not needed for every design, and there are other tools, including online tools that can replace some of these. We will go into more detail on how to use these tools as we move through the course.
- Base map
- Compass
- Tape measure or other measuring device
- Level (water level, A Frame, hand held, string level, water level, laser level, etc - this will be covered in section 2, Water)
- GPS
- Tester for soil pH, fertility, moisture
- Glass jars for soil test
- App or device to measure sun aspect (Solar Pathfinder)
- Survey flags
- Shovel to check for water infiltration, soil horizon
Design tools
Questions to ask as you do your design:
- How am I applying the permaculture principles to the site?
- How am I incorporating the petals of the permaculture flower in the design?
- What physical elements do I want to add to the site? ( I list these according to the client interview and permaculture flower)
- Have I used Mind map, bubble diagrams, and other brainstorming techniques on placement of elements, needs, resources, in context of challenges, opportunities?
- What are the beneficial connections between elements? Have I connected needs with resources?
- What specific plants do I want to add to the site?
- What details about the elements that I'm adding do I (or the client) need to know? Size, maintenance, cost, brand or cultivar, special characteristics
Drawing tools
- Base maps
- Graphite pencils, different sizes
- Architect and engineer rulers, T ruler
- Compass
- Staedtler combo shape templates
- Draftsman erasers
- Colored pencils
- Good lighting
- Tracing paper
- Cutouts if desired (to move around to test different relationships or options)
Or,
- Good computer draftsman/graphic design program, Photoshop, Sketch Up, CAD program, etc.