Living Landscapes
Observe. Integrate. Design

Module 06 / 25

Design Methods and Process

A Living Landscapes planting plan with curved garden beds and paths.

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.

Ask about reading access ↗

If your edition uses different page numbers, contact me and we can match the correct section. Contact instructor.

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 & editions

Book 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

Book access & editions

Book reading

The Resilient Farm and Homestead

Ben Falk

Pages 121 to 126: implementation documents; consult only when an example would help

Book access & editions

Course media

Introduction to Permaculture Design Video - Geoff Lawton

Contact me for access to this course media.

Ask about this resource ↗

Watch

What Permaculture Got Wrong Response Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Read and map the site

Watch

Site Analysis Intro Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Watch

Decision Making Matrix Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Watch

Design for Slope Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Watch

Zone Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Watch

Sectors Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Ways of working

Use observation, drawing, discussion, and analysis as complementary ways of working. Do not treat “multiple intelligences” as fixed learner types or labels.

Watch

The ideas of Christopher Alexander and Permaculture Design Process Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Develop your design portfolio

Build one design portfolio that includes: interview/goals; base map and overlays; a bubble concept; chosen layout; a short implementation sequence with estimated costs; and what you will observe after installation. List uncertain assumptions. Revise these same pages through the later modules. A budget includes preparation and upkeep, not just plants. Use monitoring observations to refine your design.

Exercise & discussion

Exercises:

  • 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 finish them by the time you are done the Design section.
  • 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.
  • The current portfolio pages from the lesson: goals, bubble concept, chosen layout, implementation sequence, estimated costs, and monitoring notes.

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.

1. Which belongs in an implementation budget?
2. What best supports a design decision?
3. What is monitoring for?

Readings & resources

Return to the course outline ↑