Design of an introduction to Permaculture weekend course

Home garden design

Brief: Initially it was just “use the huge pile of subsoil filled with dock and dandelion”, this became “Design and implement a herb spiral”.
Strengths of Design:
A simple design with a clear start and end point, within a larger design framework.
Land based design.
Good photo report and clearly written up within a couple of months of completion
Lots of local children involved (community engagement), particularly in the implementation phase, and they really love it!
It looks nice and the clients are happy.
Great example of “The Problem is the Solution.”

Design framework: O’BREDIMET
Design method: direct observation of site; incremental improvement/adaptation of existing design; visioning the herb spiral and seeking input on design from many voices on a PDC
Design Tools: paper, pens and blue tac for modelling workshop; used other tools outlined more in Castlemilk Stables design (no 8) including PASTE, analysis of yields; risk assessment; and functions and elements analysis.

Ethics in Design: Earth care, People Care, Fair share
Principles Used in Design:
1. The Problem is the Solution
2. Use and Value Diversity
3. Stacking
4. Design from Patterns to Details:
5. Use Edges and Value the Marginal
6. Work with Nature
7. Minimum Effort for Maximum Effect
8. Produce no Waste
9. Obtain a Yield
10. Catch and Store Energy
11. Creatively use and Respond to Change

Initial design completed: Summer 2010

NURTURE IN NATURE
Summary Sheet
Design: Nurture in Nature
Brief: Design a playgroup for children in Glasgow which encompasses ecopsychology and permaculture principles of spending time in nature
Strengths of Design:
This is a pioneering, cutting edge design with original research
Dissemination: CHE newsletter; the Green Parenting Magazine; and the Sunday Herald magazine; presentation at Centre for Human Ecology (CHE) conference; Radio Scotland; and the CBeebies (children’s BBC) have visited and interviewed us about it.
Several people have contacted me for clearer instruction on how to set up such a group in their area, and at least one has been successful (in Edinburgh).
A Community Design
It has been going for 4.5 years and is still going
It sparks people’s imaginations, with 48 people currently on the email list.

Design framework: O’BREDIMET

Design method: “inputs and outputs analysis”; needs analysis; risk analysis; identify yields; identify functions and elements; connect elements up to supply those needs; Limiting factors and opportunities analysis

Principles Used in Design:
1. Observe and interact
2. Use Small and Slow Solutions
3. Minimum input maximum output
4. Stacking
5. Maximise edge
6. Guilds
7. Cycle nutrients and information
8. Resilience
9. A single element carries out many functions
10. A single function is served by many elements
11. The Yield is Unlimited/Obtain a Yield

Ethics in Design: Earth care, People Care, Fair share
Initial design completed: Summer 2006 - ongoing
Implemented?: Yes – 2 times per week for 4 years. The design has been tweaked 3 times, each time getting better and easier.