Book reading
Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual
Bill Mollison
Chapter 3
Use this chapter as an introduction to the design process, alongside the more detailed methods in Edible Forest Gardens.
Book access & editionsModule 06 / 25
Design Methods and Process
You now have site observations and several ways to interpret them. The next step is to work out how those observations, the needs of the people involved, and your design goals can guide a plan. The readings introduce that process, from the client interview and site assessment to mapping, implementation, and monitoring.
The videos focus on methods you can use along the way, including zones, sectors, slope, and comparing choices. You’ll apply them through your interview, maps, and the ten Design Exercises, beginning a portfolio that you will continue to develop through the rest of the course.
Topics
- Whole systems thinking; access to both halves of the brain and multiple intelligences
- Observation and enhancing intuition
- Data gathering (including access to public information) and assessment; inventories
- Client interview; goal statements
- Pattern languages and articulating vision
- Analytical methods: Site analysis and patterning; sectors, zones, elevations, slope and orientation; needs-and-yields (niche analysis); limiting factors; design by exclusion
- Mapping concepts and elements; mapping with simple skills and tools using scales from homestead to broad-acre; contours, data overlay
- Conceptual design; bubble diagram
- Sequence and implementation; flow charts; budgets
- Graphical representation; presentation skills; importance of documentation
- Monitoring and feedback
What you’ll learn
Learning goals
- Understand the practice of design as a discipline
- Evaluate ecological design frameworks and methods for suitable applications
- Apply whole systems thinking and problem-solving; integrate elements, principles, relationships, and emergent properties of dynamic systems
- Demonstrate comprehension of the site design verbally and graphically
- Observe, analyze, and assess a site to determine resources and constraints
- Draw zone and sector maps and flow diagrams for a site design
Read, watch & explore
Getting the books · access & editions
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 ↗The design process
Book reading
Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 1
Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier
Pages 124 to 141: Design methods and process
Book access & editionsBook reading
Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 2
Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier
Pages 1 to 60: Design methods and site assessment
Pages 141 to 182: Design methods and site assessment
Pages 165 to 181: mapping methods
Pages 267 to 268: succession timeline and budget categories
Pages 416 to 418: monitoring
Pages 165 to 181 focus on mapping methods within the assigned Pages 141 to 182. Use the assessment, mapping, implementation, and monitoring selections to develop the corresponding parts of your design portfolio.
Book access & editionsBook reading
The Resilient Farm and Homestead
Ben Falk
Pages 121 to 126: implementation documents; consult only when an example would help
Book access & editionsWatch
Introduction to Permaculture Design
YouTube
Use this overview to connect the client interview, site observations, maps, and design choices into one process. The Site Analysis Intro Video, Zone Video, and Sectors Video provide specific tools for developing that work in this module.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Watch
What Permaculture Got Wrong Response Video
YouTube
Consider the reasoning behind the design claims being discussed, alongside the methods in the book readings.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Read and map the site
Now turn from the overall process to methods for working with your site information. The following resources give you several ways to compare choices and represent the site’s features and influences on a map.
Watch
Site Analysis Intro Video
YouTube
This is the Site Analysis Intro Video used with Module 3's first site observations. Apply its approach to your existing map and notes to identify questions for the client interview, separating recorded conditions from assumptions.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Watch
Decision Making Matrix Video
YouTube
Consider how a decision-making matrix could help you compare possible choices against the goals and constraints of your site.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Watch
Design for Slope Video
YouTube
Relate slope to the landform and water observations on your map as you consider the placement of design elements.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Watch
Zone Video
YouTube
Use the zone material to think about the relationship between placement and how often people visit or care for an element.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Watch
Sectors Video
YouTube
Compare sectors with zones, relating each to the different information you need to show on your site maps.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Read
Oregon State: Sectors
Oregon State University
Open resource
Open full-size image
The wedges mark directions from which influences reach the site; the arcs distinguish seasonal sun paths. Use a sector map to relate these influences to the position of buildings, planting, and other elements.
Ways of working
Mapping is one part of the process. The next resources consider how observation, drawing, discussion, and different approaches to design can inform one another as you develop a plan.
Read
Multiple Intelligences: Context
edutopia.org
Use observation, drawing, discussion, and analysis as complementary ways of working. Do not treat “multiple intelligences” as fixed learner types or labels.
Open resourceWatch
The ideas of Christopher Alexander and Permaculture Design Process Video
YouTube
Module 4's “A pattern language for design” section examined how relationships guide the arrangement of a site. As you watch this discussion of Christopher Alexander's ideas, consider how those relationships could guide the development of your own plan.
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Develop your design portfolio
As you work through the Design Exercises, build a portfolio that shows how your observations and goals develop into a design. Include:
- Interview findings and goals.
- A base map and overlays.
- A bubble concept.
- Your chosen layout.
- A short implementation sequence with estimated costs.
- What you will observe after installation.
Refine these draft portfolio pages through the later modules using site observations and instructor feedback. Keep uncertain assumptions visible, and include preparation and upkeep as well as plant costs in your budget. For work that has not been installed, describe what you would monitor; include monitoring results only where you have actual observations.
Read
Design Exercises
In this course
Open resourceExercise & discussion
- Use EFG client design interview questions from readings to interview a primary person for your design (e.g. landowner). If you are the owner of the land, ask yourself the interview questions. Write out the answers.
- Begin the Design Exercises and develop them through the later modules. Complete all ten for your final design presentation in Module 25.
- Build on your scale of permanence map to further observe, analyze, and assess a site to determine resources and constraints. This includes drawing zone and sector maps and flow diagrams for your site design: discuss with me.
What to prepare
- The written answers to your client design interview.
- Your current base map, zone and sector overlays, and flow diagrams.
- Your current draft portfolio pages: goals, bubble concept, proposed layout, implementation sequence, estimated costs, and monitoring plan.
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.
Share & discuss
Attach your interview answers, maps and diagrams, and current design-portfolio pages.
Email the address listed under “Get In Touch” on my contact page. Do not use the contact form. Include the Permaculture Design Course, Module 6, and “Design methods and site analysis” in your subject or message.
Find my email address ↗Optional quick check
Select your answers, then submit to see your score and explanations. You can retry. Results are not sent or stored.
Readings & resources
- Permaculture: A Designer’s ManualChapter 3In lesson ↑
- Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 1Pages 124 to 141: Design methods and processIn lesson ↑
- Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 2Pages 1 to 60: Design methods and site assessmentPages 141 to 182: Design methods and site assessmentPages 165 to 181: mapping methodsPages 267 to 268: succession timeline and budget categoriesPages 416 to 418: monitoringIn lesson ↑
- The Resilient Farm and HomesteadPages 121 to 126: implementation documents; consult only when an example would helpIn lesson ↑
- Introduction to Permaculture DesignWatchIn lesson ↑
- What Permaculture Got Wrong Response VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Site Analysis Intro VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Decision Making Matrix VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Design for Slope VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Zone VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Sectors VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Oregon State: SectorsReadIn lesson ↑
- Multiple Intelligences: ContextReadIn lesson ↑
- The ideas of Christopher Alexander and Permaculture Design Process VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Design ExercisesReadIn lesson ↑