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- About
- Permaculture Design
- What is Permaculture?
- Diploma>
- Output 1 Making room for new beginnings; creating conscious space for good design>
- Output 2 Beginning the Design Process; Observing and interacting>
- Output 3 Stacking functions>
- Our current living space; Alex`s house and garden>
- Pete`s house; Turning a monster into an ally!
- Integrating permaculture design into my work place>
- Forest gardening at Margam Park...
- Raising Seth - supporting my son`s journey>
- Extracts from learning journal
- Process reflection
- Appendix
- Appendix ll. Tutor & Peer review
- Output 4 Small and slow solutions>
- Our current living space; Alex`s house and garden>
- Pete`s house; turning a monster into an ally!
- Integrating Permaculture design into my work place
- Forest gardening at Margam Park
- Raising Seth; Supporting our son`s journey.
- Getting to grips with technology!
- Extracts from learning Journal
- Process reflection
- Output 5, Accept and respond to feedback>
- Output 6
- Output 7
- Output 8
- Output 9
- Output 10
- Completed Designs>
- Gallery
- Contact
- Blog
- Links
- News
- Working page
Project Synopsis
Alex obtained our current living space with a mortgage a year ago, and we moved in just prior to the end of 2010.
We do not intend to stay here too long, and ideally would like to embark in the future on seeking or creating other living arrangements more in keeping with our ideal life path before our 6 month old son is of the age at which conventional schooling begins. Our joint aim is to add value to the building and garden whilst blending in permaculture principles wherever possible.
Alex obtained our current living space with a mortgage a year ago, and we moved in just prior to the end of 2010.
We do not intend to stay here too long, and ideally would like to embark in the future on seeking or creating other living arrangements more in keeping with our ideal life path before our 6 month old son is of the age at which conventional schooling begins. Our joint aim is to add value to the building and garden whilst blending in permaculture principles wherever possible.
Survey
In the beginning
A comfy and cosy terraced house with a 100 ft long garden, there certainly is the potential to make our living space a healthier environment to be amidst, whilst also increasing it`s value, with the long term vision of selling the house in a few years time. We are aiming at obtaining a yield and hopefully combining it with any yield produced from the renovation and selling of my house in the future to put to productive use.
Ideally, we shall utilise the combined resources to embark on a holistic project that will enable us to live lighter on the earth, in a home that integrates with nature rather than being segregated from it, surrounded by food and useful materials.
We appreciate that working with a pre-existing conventional building is not as likely to free up the extent of designing that a "clean slate" situation does. Meanwhile, we will renovate the house to the best of our ability, all the while being mindful of the fact that whatever compromises we make during this project, it will be a valuable experiential learning curve during which the deign process will evolve and is the means to the end of embarking on a more idealistic future project.
Ideally, we shall utilise the combined resources to embark on a holistic project that will enable us to live lighter on the earth, in a home that integrates with nature rather than being segregated from it, surrounded by food and useful materials.
We appreciate that working with a pre-existing conventional building is not as likely to free up the extent of designing that a "clean slate" situation does. Meanwhile, we will renovate the house to the best of our ability, all the while being mindful of the fact that whatever compromises we make during this project, it will be a valuable experiential learning curve during which the deign process will evolve and is the means to the end of embarking on a more idealistic future project.
Assess
Snow in January of 2010
The house has a very suspect gas fire which we could look at removing.
It also has a small solid fuel burner which can stay.
The boiler is also inefficient and may well be worth replacing.
There is evidence of strange and ineffective DIY modifications throughout the house. We plan to embark on a complete overhaul of the interior of the house. There is scope to add value to the house, and I already have in my possession materials that will assist in this respect.
I can also utilize a friend`s plastering skills in supporting this project.
There are good solid floor boards throughout the upstairs of the building which could be exposed, levelled and sanded,
The ceilings are all an unsightly blend of particularly heavy artex patterns which are causing me a head ache, which seem to have been created by the Michael Angelo of the Artex world!
The windows and door at the front of the house are ineffective and lose a significant amount of heat.
The garden has plenty of potential. Currently there is a mature Eucalyptus tree shading out a large part of the garden, a pair of tall conifers shading out further growing space, and a rhododendron that acidifies and impoverishes the soil. There is also a pond. I am an avid exponent of ponds in gardens. However, this particular monstrosity is constructed from concrete, has steep sides that make it difficult for wildlife to access it and combined with the wooden bridge that spans it, is a potential death trap for children and animals. With a young baby soon to become more mobile it has to be seriously considered.
It also has a small solid fuel burner which can stay.
The boiler is also inefficient and may well be worth replacing.
There is evidence of strange and ineffective DIY modifications throughout the house. We plan to embark on a complete overhaul of the interior of the house. There is scope to add value to the house, and I already have in my possession materials that will assist in this respect.
I can also utilize a friend`s plastering skills in supporting this project.
There are good solid floor boards throughout the upstairs of the building which could be exposed, levelled and sanded,
The ceilings are all an unsightly blend of particularly heavy artex patterns which are causing me a head ache, which seem to have been created by the Michael Angelo of the Artex world!
The windows and door at the front of the house are ineffective and lose a significant amount of heat.
The garden has plenty of potential. Currently there is a mature Eucalyptus tree shading out a large part of the garden, a pair of tall conifers shading out further growing space, and a rhododendron that acidifies and impoverishes the soil. There is also a pond. I am an avid exponent of ponds in gardens. However, this particular monstrosity is constructed from concrete, has steep sides that make it difficult for wildlife to access it and combined with the wooden bridge that spans it, is a potential death trap for children and animals. With a young baby soon to become more mobile it has to be seriously considered.
Design
Wherever possible, we will utilise locally sourced and pre-existing materials in the improvements that we are making at our current living space.
First night at the house.
The image on the left shows the hideous old gas fire on the right hand side of the room.
Ineffective and potentially dangerous, it had to go, along with the head-ache-inducing artex on the ceiling!
Other than that, the place in general has a positive enough energy about it.
We will return to the design stage when addressing the garden.
Ineffective and potentially dangerous, it had to go, along with the head-ache-inducing artex on the ceiling!
Other than that, the place in general has a positive enough energy about it.
We will return to the design stage when addressing the garden.
Implement
What a mess! Out comes the gas fire. A new boiler is simultaneously fitted upstairs, as there previously was a back boiler system behind the old gas fire.
An old fire place is revealed once the gas fire is removed
There was previously a tongue and groove cladded façade upon which the gas fire and back boiler was mounted. Once removed, considerably more space was created in the room, and the potential for greatly increased storage space was also revealed.
Below is an image of the same view as above upon nearing completion.
Fire place exposed and repointed, round archways created
Slate that we were already in possession of that I had salvaged from a previous project was used to create a new hearth in the exposed feature fire place and a floor surface throughout and to either side of the feature fire place.
The walls have been re-plastered and round archways were created to soften the overall effect.
Some oak planking that I already had lying around was used to make a nice rustic edge to the shelving on either side of the fire place. Behind the edge, plywood was used as this was only going to be covered with books and we didn`t have enough oak to go all the way back. A friend had some chunkier pieces of oak which were used for the top of the cupboards. Oak flooring was layed throughout the room, and remnants of oak flooring were used to create the cupboard doors. Storage space was significantly increased by making the shelving and cupboards, and the slate floor was layed throughout the cupboard space, which incidentally extends to the right about a meter in the case of the right hand side alcove.
The walls have been re-plastered and round archways were created to soften the overall effect.
Some oak planking that I already had lying around was used to make a nice rustic edge to the shelving on either side of the fire place. Behind the edge, plywood was used as this was only going to be covered with books and we didn`t have enough oak to go all the way back. A friend had some chunkier pieces of oak which were used for the top of the cupboards. Oak flooring was layed throughout the room, and remnants of oak flooring were used to create the cupboard doors. Storage space was significantly increased by making the shelving and cupboards, and the slate floor was layed throughout the cupboard space, which incidentally extends to the right about a meter in the case of the right hand side alcove.
The image below shows detail of one of the cupboards.
Cupboard detail
All of the materials used in the construction of the cupboard were either to hand, begged or borrowed other than the hinges and catches.
The slate that I had salvaged from a previous project can be seen at the base. It compliments the oak, leaves a "character" finish and combined with the fact that storage space has been increased significantly, should contribute towards our objective of increasing the value of the house without compromising our principles.
Upstairs, prior to the floor being sanded.
Once sanded, the resulting saw dust was kept and mixed to a paste and used to fill any gaps or scars.
The same floor once sanded and varnished.
When dealing with an existing conventional house, if the opportunity presents itself to strip the floor back to the original floor boards, then I would recommend doing so. It avoids importing carpets and makes use of an existing available resource.
The simple factor of being able to see the grain, knots and imperfections of the wood itself brings warmth and a degree more of a connection with nature into the home.
The simple factor of being able to see the grain, knots and imperfections of the wood itself brings warmth and a degree more of a connection with nature into the home.
Back to Design;
Here is a plan of the garden, more or less as it was when we moved here.
The Eucalyptus, and both conifers have been removed. There is one other shrub I plan on removing, Rhododendron ponticum, the shrub below the Yew on the bottom far left of the plan with the hard to decipher writing!
As you can see, the garden is basically split clean in half by the concrete path that runs centrally up the middle of the garden. Ideally, the path will be removed as currently it restricts possabilities instantly by segregating the garden into two halves.
The other feature that will be going is the steep sided concrete pond along with the accompanying wooden bridge.
Below is a first draft plan of what might be done. It is by no means the final design, and much tweaking can be done!
As you can see, the garden is basically split clean in half by the concrete path that runs centrally up the middle of the garden. Ideally, the path will be removed as currently it restricts possabilities instantly by segregating the garden into two halves.
The other feature that will be going is the steep sided concrete pond along with the accompanying wooden bridge.
Below is a first draft plan of what might be done. It is by no means the final design, and much tweaking can be done!
Central to the design is a play area for Seth.
The play area is the centre of a mandala design grouping of vegetable beds. The central area and surrounding beds are all circular and all the same size. A chicken tractor that fits the beds is integral to the design.
Seth`s play area is easy to see from the kitchen window. It is undecided yet what the surface would be but cord-wood is one idea. There could be a grouping of large sturdy logs that can be sat or climbed upon, and an addition to the plan could be a small no sided round house style roof covering to keep the rain off.
Seth`s play area being so centralised means that he would be close by to the mixed vegetable/salad beds which may or may not be raised. Such positioning of course means that he would have ample opportunity for outdoor learning, and could join in with any gardening activity taking place in any of the surrounding beds. If he grew bored of helping, then he would still be close to his play area. Surrounded by the cycle of growing, the chicken tractor moving its way around the beds, the cyclic ever evolving process of chicken tractor and food growing would become firmly ingrained as he developed a clear understanding of the cycles.
The beds offer an opportunity for experimenting with plant guilds. Any mistakes can simply be recycled with the chicken tractor. Fruit trees are integrated into the design, edible climbers are grown up every available surface in the design and an accurately positioned trellis archway supports honey suckle positioned close to a bee hive. The positioning of the trellis arch is so that when relaxing at the summer house, the window of the next door neighbour`s computer room where members of next door`s household often sit and which has no curtains, is totally obscured.
A new wildlife pond is surrounded by a rich diversity of indigenous bee fodder plants as well as cross stacked timber inoculated with edible mushroom spores taking advantage of the humidity around the pond. Directly behind the pond, the old chicken run is converted into a ferret court, where my team of working ferrets can gamble around, keeping fit, agile and stimulated by logs, rocks, pipes and other natural surroundings during the summer months when they do not get taken out hunting.
Further back still, at the end of the garden and either side of the mature sycamore the design includes the planting of hazel which can be regularly coppiced. Wild garlic or ramsons would be suitable ground cover, complimenting the blue bells that already exist there. A tarpaulin shelter can be strung up between the sycamore and the willow providing a dry work area for activities such as green woodworking.
Central to the wilder, quieter part of the garden is a labyrinth, a sacred place for contemplation, reflection and meditation, the centre of which faces the trunk of the mature sycamore.
Seth`s play area is easy to see from the kitchen window. It is undecided yet what the surface would be but cord-wood is one idea. There could be a grouping of large sturdy logs that can be sat or climbed upon, and an addition to the plan could be a small no sided round house style roof covering to keep the rain off.
Seth`s play area being so centralised means that he would be close by to the mixed vegetable/salad beds which may or may not be raised. Such positioning of course means that he would have ample opportunity for outdoor learning, and could join in with any gardening activity taking place in any of the surrounding beds. If he grew bored of helping, then he would still be close to his play area. Surrounded by the cycle of growing, the chicken tractor moving its way around the beds, the cyclic ever evolving process of chicken tractor and food growing would become firmly ingrained as he developed a clear understanding of the cycles.
The beds offer an opportunity for experimenting with plant guilds. Any mistakes can simply be recycled with the chicken tractor. Fruit trees are integrated into the design, edible climbers are grown up every available surface in the design and an accurately positioned trellis archway supports honey suckle positioned close to a bee hive. The positioning of the trellis arch is so that when relaxing at the summer house, the window of the next door neighbour`s computer room where members of next door`s household often sit and which has no curtains, is totally obscured.
A new wildlife pond is surrounded by a rich diversity of indigenous bee fodder plants as well as cross stacked timber inoculated with edible mushroom spores taking advantage of the humidity around the pond. Directly behind the pond, the old chicken run is converted into a ferret court, where my team of working ferrets can gamble around, keeping fit, agile and stimulated by logs, rocks, pipes and other natural surroundings during the summer months when they do not get taken out hunting.
Further back still, at the end of the garden and either side of the mature sycamore the design includes the planting of hazel which can be regularly coppiced. Wild garlic or ramsons would be suitable ground cover, complimenting the blue bells that already exist there. A tarpaulin shelter can be strung up between the sycamore and the willow providing a dry work area for activities such as green woodworking.
Central to the wilder, quieter part of the garden is a labyrinth, a sacred place for contemplation, reflection and meditation, the centre of which faces the trunk of the mature sycamore.
I dealt with the Eucalyptus with a chainsaw, bow saw, ropes, and a head for heights!
Behind the eucalyptus is a mature sycamore. To the left is a willow, that is now doing noticeably better since the removal of the eucalyptus. A native of Australia, a eucalyptus species may well have a place in a forest gardening project of larger scale. In a small suburban garden however, valuable space was taken up by the tree that would be better served with other plant species. A considerable amount of light was being blocked by the eucalyptus, few invertebrate species can make use of the tree when compared with native broad leafed or fruit trees, and the eucalyptus was also taking a large amount of water.
The trunk was utilised as a garden seat.
The trunk was utilised as a garden seat.
Many hands make light work!
Cean dealing with the eucalyptus brash as I dropped it.
Two large conifers were also taken down increasing light levels further and leaving room for more diversity of planting.
I mentioned previously the death trap steep sided concrete pond in the garden that has to go.
The newly created wildlife pond
The first stage in tackling the pond was to create alternative habitat to replace it. A pond provides superb habitat for all manner of allies in the garden. Common frogs, palmate newts and various damselfly and dragonfly species were breeding in the existing pond. The species described will take advantage of any fresh water that is available, just because they are present, it doesn`t necessarily mean that the conditions are ideal.
The original pond, (still here at present, but it`s days are numbered) is very badly designed, has very steep sides, is very difficult for creatures to navigate, and is an ever present danger to children and animals. Before removing the pond, I set about creating an alternative habitat for amphibians, wetland plants and invertebrates. The image to the right shows the newly created pond. I used Bentonite, a geo-synthetic clay liner, to produce as natural looking an effect as possible. A base layer of sand prevents leaks, on top of that goes the bentonite which comes in rolls like carpet. Where the rolls overlap, granules of bentonite are evenly distributed between the overlaps. On top of the bentonite, a 12" layer of subsoil from the excavated pond is put down (top soil has too many nutrients in it and will result in algal blooms of epic proportions, and is better off used elsewhere in the garden) which keeps the bentonite weighted down as it swells once wetted and leaks may arise as a result at the overlapping spots if not weighted down with soil. The soil also serves as a medium into which aquatic invertebrates can burrow and plants can grow. Then the water is added, the bentonite swells to four times it`s previous mass and a water tight pond is created.
The original pond, (still here at present, but it`s days are numbered) is very badly designed, has very steep sides, is very difficult for creatures to navigate, and is an ever present danger to children and animals. Before removing the pond, I set about creating an alternative habitat for amphibians, wetland plants and invertebrates. The image to the right shows the newly created pond. I used Bentonite, a geo-synthetic clay liner, to produce as natural looking an effect as possible. A base layer of sand prevents leaks, on top of that goes the bentonite which comes in rolls like carpet. Where the rolls overlap, granules of bentonite are evenly distributed between the overlaps. On top of the bentonite, a 12" layer of subsoil from the excavated pond is put down (top soil has too many nutrients in it and will result in algal blooms of epic proportions, and is better off used elsewhere in the garden) which keeps the bentonite weighted down as it swells once wetted and leaks may arise as a result at the overlapping spots if not weighted down with soil. The soil also serves as a medium into which aquatic invertebrates can burrow and plants can grow. Then the water is added, the bentonite swells to four times it`s previous mass and a water tight pond is created.
A diverse mix of indigenous plants were selected from a local specialist nursery and planted in and around the pond.
The new pond, three months old
When designing the pond, I had also dug a trench around the actual pond site, lined it with bentonite, punched a few holes in it with a garden fork, then back filled it with soil. Why? To create a section of land surrounding the pond that would be slower draining, retain moisture and be suitable for bog plants, providing further fertile edges and valuable terrestrial habitat for emerging newly metamorphosed frogs, newts and invertebrates.
Below is the new pond, looking remarkably mature but only six months old.
The new pond, high summer of it`s first year
Frog spawn collected from the original death trap pond a few yards away was introduced to the new pond not long after it was created. Being a new pond, predatory invertebrates had not yet had time to establish a viable population, and a bumper crop of frogs was produced which gave the species a head start which will compensate for the loss of the original pond.
Amongst the plants flowering in the image are purple loosetrife, a native pond side plant and one of my favourites as well as a good bee plant.
The pond in Winter
Although well into December when the image on the left was taken, there is a healthy amount of aquatic vegetation supporting overwintering invertebrate and newt larvae.
Observe and interact
A log pile has been created at the edge of the pond beneath a willow tree. An impressive amount of fungus is fruiting all over the log pile. It is a good sign that in the future, log stacks inoculated with specific spores may do well in the same conditions.
Maintain
Evaluate - The remaining elements of the design process will be considered further in output 3 of my diploma portfolio.
Tweak
Evaluate - The remaining elements of the design process will be considered further in output 3 of my diploma portfolio.
Tweak
Resources; Digital camera, pen and paper, Microsoft word. The internet, inspiration from nature, my partner Alex, fellow diploma apprentices and my Tutor, Richard Perkins.
BOOKS;
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Back to top of page or go to the next featured project in my 2nd diploma output, Pete`s house - turning a monster into an ally.
Continue to view the next stage of this project in Output lll of my diploma here.
Continue to view the next stage of this project in Output lll of my diploma here.