#Landscape Design + Permaculture

environmental sustainable design
permaculture

eneficial landscapes
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 2

Drought Tolerant Species
• Indigenous
• Local to Area
• Native
• National
• Introduced
• Deciduous
• Food Stock
• Weed
it is about changing the cultural aesthetic to
appreciate a grevillea more than a rose or camellia
RMIT University©Sep-18 School of Architecture & Urban Design 3

indigenous planting
January 2002
RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 4

indigenous planting
November 2005
RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 5

RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 6

June 2018
RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 7

RMIT University©Sep-18 School of Architecture & Urban Design 8

start again
RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 9

RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 10

RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 11

RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 12

RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 13

exotic drought tolerant species
RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 14

low irrigation gardens
5 principles
• reduce water demand
• increase the soil’s ability to harvest H 2 O, and
minimise runoff.
• replace or supplement tap water with tank, grey
or treated black.
• irrigate efficiently (drip systems)
• reduce water loss
RMIT University©2018 School of Architecture & Urban Design 15

eneficial landscapes
Irrigation Systems
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 16

eneficial landscapes
Irrigation Systems
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 17

eneficial landscapes
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 18

eneficial landscapes
Trees and shrubs
• Provide protection
• Shade
• Acoustic*
• Food
• Green Belts/ Corridors
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 19

eneficial landscapes
Green Corridor profiles
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 20

eneficial landscapes
Vertical Strata/ Layers
• Upper Canopy
• Lower Canopy
• Shrubs
• Herbatious/ Ground Covers
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 21

eneficial landscapes
Horizontal Zones
• Overlap
• Non-linear
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 22

eneficial landscapes
Roof Ponds
• Arid climates
Thermal Mass
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 23

eneficial landscapes
Green roofs
Schematic
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 24

eneficial landscapes
Green roofs
Integration with landscapes
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 25

eneficial landscapes
Green walls
Integration with landscapes
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 26

eneficial landscapes
Green walls
Musee du Quai Branly
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 27

eneficial landscapes
Green roofs
Built in place
Modular System
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 28

eneficial landscapes
Green roofs
root ball
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 29

permaculture
Question:Where to begin, and why include a topic many associate
with gardening?
Permaculture:
Permanent + Agriculture
Permanent + Culture
Permaculture unlocks some of the solutions for how to design
sustainably.
How to actively save the planet.
It brings together all the elements of design. It explains the interrelationships,
the patterns, between natural systems. It creates
an underlying scale-less meta-structure where site and project
specific solutions can be woven together.
Permaculture is about the ethics of design, ensuring that
solutions consider and enhance all life on this closed
system called earth.

patterns in(from) nature
planting mandala
oak branch

permaculture - pattterns
Rhizome Narrative structure
RMIT University©12/9/18 School of Architecture + Design 32

permaculture
As a term, 'Permaculture' was first coined by, South Melbourne civil
engineer, Bill Mollison and co-developed with ecologist David
Holmgren. Holmgren developed his thesis with Mollison, as a
combination of agriculture+landscape architecture+ecology.
Observational analysis of the underlying infrastructure patterns of
complex ecologies such as forests, developed ideas of system
design.
Permaculture is about designing sustainable human
settlements.
It is a philosophy & approach to land use which weaves together
• microclimate
• annual & perennial plants
• animals
• soils
• water management
• human needs...
into intricately connected productive communities.
- Bill Mollison, Introduction to Permaculture.

permaculture
12 Principles
• Observe and interact
By taking the time to engage with nature we can design
solutions that suit our particular situation.
• Catch and store energy
By developing systems that collect resources when they are
abundant, we can use them in times of need.
• Obtain a yield
Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the
work that you are doing.
• Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that
systems can continue to function well.
• Use and value renewable resources and services
Make the best use of nature's abundance to reduce our
consumptive behaviour and dependence on non-renewable
resources.
• Produce no waste
By valuing and making use of all the resources that are
available to us, nothing goes to waste.
• Design from patterns to details
By stepping back, we can observe patterns in nature and
society. These can form the backbone of our designs, with
the details filled in as we go.
Integrate rather than segregate
By putting the right things in the right place,
relationships develop between those things and
they work together to support each other.
Use small and slow solutions
Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than
big ones, making better use of local resources and
producing more sustainable outcomes.
Use and value diversity
Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of
threats and takes advantage of the unique nature
of the environment in which it resides.
Use edges and value the marginal
The interface between things is where the most
interesting events take place. These are often the
most valuable, diverse and productive elements in
the system.
Creatively use and respond to change
We can have a positive impact on inevitable
change by carefully observing, and then intervening
at the right time.

permaculture
The observational nature of permaculture, developed at a similar time
to two other important design stream influences.
Chaos Theory
As a study of mathematics dates back as far as the 1880's1..Modern
development is based on developing more complex
mathematical modelling of climate systems and non-linear
natural paterns that occur in nature.This line of enquiry becomes
interesting architecturally, as it formulates theory on boundary
conditions and the enclosure of space. Concepts such as
21/2Dimensions, and perimeter lengths that increase as scale
reduces, are rich fields of architectural enquiry.
Further Reading
A Pattern Language: Christopher Alexander
Permaculture - Bill Mollison Island Press