(This plan does not contain the full information but is an example of my work.For full design contact me!)
Goals of Design:
To design a home capable of providing most of the food needs for a family of four, while lessening dependency on nonrenewable resources, and diminishing our negative impact on the earth.
To serve as an example of what permaculture can do within the limitations of renting in town. I want to give an example of what can be done without need of landlord approval, and with minimal investment or movable elements.
Technical Data:
Location: In the small town in Northern California, USA . Latitude 40.09 degrees north.
Site size: 0.072 acres ( 3,175.5 square feet)
Planed Building sizes:House: 1,614 square feet Garage: 228 square feet Green house: 26 square feet Rabbit Hut: 30 square feet
Elevation: 593.9 feet.
Southwest-facing, extremely gentle slope.
Building Strategy:
Elements will be built using natural, recycled, and salvaged materials as much as possible (recycled windows, gutters, and wood). Home, greenhouse and other buildings will incorporate water catchment.
Site Element Analysis:
Wind: Predominantly coming from North-West to South-East at mild speeds. Undesirable in back yard due to intensity created by tunnel effect between houses.
Solar access: Back yard minimal access due to neighbors bamboo blocking morning sun, and house blocking late afternoon to evening sun. Dog yard no morning sun due to neighbors trees, full afternoon sun. Front yard mostly open, outer fence has morning sun, whole yard has afternoon and evening sun. There are no options for creating more sun access, so front yard will be optimized for its sun, and shade in back taken advantage of. Water: Water is provided by city and rain. No other sources on site. So Measures will be taken to increase the sights ability to hold water for longer.\
Soil: High sand content and extremely compacted. Plan to add clay and compost, to begin rehabilitation. Raised beds will be used while soil is being rehabilitated. Soil is acidic.
Traffic: An unwanted element associated to living in town. Specifically the neighbors loos dogs, and foot traffic of vagrants and local homeless. Elements will be put in place to minimize their effect.
Sarah's Initial Sight Design:
( Elements will be numbered, and correspond with numbers on the map.)
1)Home:
Functions of this element:
Shelter for family and pets
Office/learning environment
Indoor play area
Rain catchment
2)Garage:
Functions of this element:
Space for building projects
Tool storage
Office/ learning environment
In door play area
Rain catchment
3)Porch:
Functions of this element:
Resting area
Outdoor eating
Cool place for summer fun
Growing area
Clothes drying
Recycling/composting
Water storage
4)Green House:
Functions of this element:
Nursery plants
Year round food production
Tool and container storage
Water collection
5)Front Garden:
Functions of this element:
Growing space near house
Ease of harvest
Wonderful environment
Hands on food for family and friends
6)Two Potato Boxes:
Functions of this element:
To provide all potatoes needed for family of four
Increase growing space for other vegetables
Compact growing lessons the need for water.
7)Tomato/ Herb Hangers:
Functions of this element:
Fresh tomatoes and herbs
Increased growing space
Keeps the sun off the windows and the house cool
Excess water drips to plants below
8)Back Garden:
Functions of this element:
Growing space near house
Ease of harvest
Wonderful environment
9)Indoor Herbs:
Functions of this element:
Increases growing space outdoors
Proximity to kitchen
Improved air quality
10)Privacy Wall:
Functions of this element:
Block out unwanted street/neighbor activity
Good smells
Bird habitat
Pollen for bees
Protects the fence line
11)Propagation Area:
Functions of this element:
Bamboo for art and building
Possible income opportunity
Make use of invasive Bamboo
Added beauty
12)Recycling Center:
Functions of this element:
Reduces waist
Reduces emissions from production of new materials
Kid activity/responsibility
13)Composting:
Functions of this element:
Reduces household waist
Soil health
Plant health
Keeps compost enclosed and safe from raccoons and crows.
14)Grey Water:
Functions of this element:
Washer provides Play area, and dog yard, with their water needs
Reduces waist
Reduces need to purchase water
15)Pot Watering:
.Functions of this elements:
Reduces water use
Improves root growth
Limits run off and evaporation
16)Rain Harvesting:
Functions of this element:
Fresh water storage
Reduces need to purchase water
Increased soil saturation.
Captures water before it leaves the sight.
Provides micro climates
17) Clothes line:
Function of this element:
Reduces electricity use
Dry's clothes
Natural cloths freshener
18)Fire Wood:
Functions of this element:
Keeps firewood dry
Close to road for easy unloading
Protects fence
Ease of stocking fire
19)Wind Brake:
Functions of this element:
Wind brake
Anchors for climbing vegetables
Sweet smelling aroma
Insect habitat
Sarah's Mature Sight Design:
20)Additional Water Harvesting:
Functions of this element:
Further reduces need to purchase water
Provides additional fresh water
Micro climates
21)Above Ground Pond:
Functions of this element:
More water catchment
Creates a Relaxing environment
Aquatic plants
Will help to cool surrounding environment
22)Rabbit Hutch:
Functions of this element:
Meat
Fur
Fertilizer
Kitchen waist consumption
Income or trade options