Living LandscapesDESIGN
Module 03 / 25
Get to know the place where the design comes about
Your design begins with getting to know a place: what grows there, how water and energy move through it, and how its living and non-living parts relate. The ecology readings introduce ways to understand those relationships, while the site-analysis material helps you distinguish what you observe from how you interpret it.
You’ll then take a map onto your chosen site and work through eight observation lenses based on the Scale of Permanence. These observations become the starting material for your design, which you’ll develop and revisit as the course adds new ways of looking at the site.
What you’ll learn
Use your own copy, buy the book, or borrow it through a library when possible. If you are local to me, contact me about borrowing a copy. You can also contact me for information about digital or other access to assigned readings.
If your edition uses different page numbers, contact me and we can match the correct section.
For articles, excerpts, videos, and other resources, use the links in the lesson. If a video player does not load, try its source link. If you cannot access a reading or media resource, or it has no link, contact me with the module number and resource title.
Ask about books, readings or media access ↗Book reading · EFG 1
Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier
Pages 69 to 109: The local ecosystem
Pages 142 to 146: Food webs and energy flow
For the energy-flow learning goal, consult the reading on food webs and energy flow.
Book access & editionsBook reading · EFG 2
Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier
Pages 182 to 188: starting at “SITE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT”
Use this reading to separate observations from interpretations.
Book access & editionsRead · Course file
Ecological principles basic concepts (45-54).pdf
Use this excerpt alongside the food-web reading to connect ecological concepts with the energy flows and material cycles you will look for on your site.
Read the ecology excerpt
Open full-size image
Forest soils vary with the depth of organic material, decaying wood, and underlying rock. Use these visible differences to make more specific notes about the ground beneath the vegetation.
Watch · YouTube
Oregon State University · Introduction to Permaculture
Use this introduction to support your site observations. It is also used in Module 6.
Player not loading? Watch on YouTube
Read the video transcript (PDF)Watch & read · Lesson
Oregon State University
Explore site analysis from the wider landscape to the details of a site. Includes a transcript.
Open the lesson & transcriptOn your site map, distinguish something you observed from something you inferred. Include an example of an input, a material cycle, and an output. Revisit uncertain observations when conditions change. Keep these notes with your map.
Explore
Google satellite view is handy for this.
Open Google Maps
Field exercise
Choose an area where you will do your design if site-based and acquire a site map. Google satellite view is handy for this. Ask me and I can help you get this by printing it out or by tracing it from a computer screen. Walk around your chosen area with the site map and observe the site through 8 different lenses based on these aspects of the Scale of Permanence:
Landform: where does the land slope? Where are the high and low points? Mark with arrows on the map.
Water (in general): Where does water pool? Where is there potential for water capture? Where are water access points (taps, rain barrels, ponds).
Access and circulation (paths, roads)
Microclimate (south and north slopes, wind protected areas, areas by bodies of water, areas in front of rock cliffs, etc.)
Buildings and infrastructure
Zones of use
Soil (fertility and management) - where is the best soil? Where is the soil poor? What is the soil organic matter like? Are there soil aggregates? How deep is the topsoil?
Aesthetics - Where are the best views? Where are the undesirable views?
Save written notes as a document or PDF. For paper maps or handwritten notes, use a clear photo or scan. You can combine related work in one file.
Sketch on the map, prepare your notes, and share them with me.
Keep these notes with your map.
Share & discuss
Attach your annotated site map and observation notes.
Email the address listed under “Get In Touch” on my contact page. Do not use the contact form. Include the Permaculture Design Course, Module 3, and “Site observations” in your subject or message.
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