Design Proposals
Autumn 2014
This part of the design process (by following the The Earth Care Manual book (p386)) is divided into three parts:
- Aims
- Concepts
- Details
Aims
The mind map bellow is to remember our goals and aims when we were looking for a land in 2012 (see more at the Questionnaire page).
Present aims ( Spring 2014)
Nim and I
Needs
Aims
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Ohli
Needs
Aims
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Concepts
Themes
Food Production
We thought that it is not a very suitable site for growing annual plants as they consume large amounts of water per year, so we have relied more on perennials, fruit trees and food forest, with a small area for a garden with annuals to supply only the needs of the residents, volunteers and participants of the courses, without surplus to sell these products to market.
The food production that will be used for trade or sell is in a long term plan, and will be mainly extracted from the food forest and fruit trees.
There are some immediate yields as existing nut and carob trees, black berries, rosemary..., and in a near future will be next to the house an area with medicinal and aromatic herbs, combining varieties for cooking, repel unwanted insects plants, herbal teas, .... If you want to know more about our yield assess after the first year go to the Site Survey page by clicking (here).
The food production that will be used for trade or sell is in a long term plan, and will be mainly extracted from the food forest and fruit trees.
There are some immediate yields as existing nut and carob trees, black berries, rosemary..., and in a near future will be next to the house an area with medicinal and aromatic herbs, combining varieties for cooking, repel unwanted insects plants, herbal teas, .... If you want to know more about our yield assess after the first year go to the Site Survey page by clicking (here).
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Housing and Infrastructures
An almost five-hectare land project is a big job to implement for only two people. From the beginning the idea was to create a small community with more people to do the job together more easy and enjoyable. The large amount of work that has been at the first year has exceeded the boundaries of our possibilities. To accommodate more people in the project we need to build more housing infrastructures, but as I said before for legal reasons we only have permission to build one more edification.
This edification will be a second house designed to be built inside the food forest as far away from the current house, in order to have more intimacy between the inhabitants of the project, and multifunctionally to be more easy of care and implement other parts of the land. The second house will serve to host another family who wants to share the project with us, or to create a shelter for volunteers. |
Another option for housing are caravans or yurts, which could accommodate other inhabitants or long-term volunteers.
For each of the houses or temporary structures, it is thought to build composting toilets.
In the design we have included a communal structure that would serve to have meetings or other activities such as courses or workshops. Volunteers would be camped near this and could be use it to socialize and dining space.
For each of the houses or temporary structures, it is thought to build composting toilets.
In the design we have included a communal structure that would serve to have meetings or other activities such as courses or workshops. Volunteers would be camped near this and could be use it to socialize and dining space.
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Water System
The design is very influenced by the amount of water passing through the land each year, and by the resources we have to catch and store it.
The first design was been thought including the well as a main resource, but after we have used it a bit it has blocked.
This was a crucial resource to supply water to the second home and the volunteer showers, but because now it is blocked we can not estimate how much water could be extracted, so per now we do not rely on it until we can get it working again.
The first design was been thought including the well as a main resource, but after we have used it a bit it has blocked.
This was a crucial resource to supply water to the second home and the volunteer showers, but because now it is blocked we can not estimate how much water could be extracted, so per now we do not rely on it until we can get it working again.
Another option would be to look for signs of groundwater and drill a well in which water can be extracted with a pump. The disadvantage is that the machinery needed would have a fairly high cost and we would have to invest in a energy system to run a pump.
We will try to get the maximum performance of the bedrocks as a resource to capture the maximum possible rainwater, for this we will build some tanks or pond to have storage room.
We have also thought in each structure to have water tanks, and the size of each one will depend on how much rainwater can these catch.
We will try to get the maximum performance of the bedrocks as a resource to capture the maximum possible rainwater, for this we will build some tanks or pond to have storage room.
We have also thought in each structure to have water tanks, and the size of each one will depend on how much rainwater can these catch.
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Layouts
Options and Decisions
Looking for the appropriate Design
In the pictures below I show three different designs, which could be implemented on the site, so I can see different approaches. Although some designs are not really focused on my interest, them get me ideas that can be combined to do a final design.
To do this I used a white board, so, I have saved paper and time drawing by making a base map that has been modified to be adapted to each approach. The first picture shows the current state at the property with the elements that where already in there, and the work that we have done during the first year. |
Next designs have been thought to create an agricultural land, children permaculture school, and a permaculture educational center.
Agricultural design
This design is focused on having food production as the main goal. The truth is that I'm not interested in devoting my life to do food production, that's the way is more challenge to transform the site because of the scarcest resource of water we have.
Because I squeezed my brain on how this could be possible, it has given me many ideas on possible alternatives to catch and store this precious resource. Formerly there was a small road passing by behind the house and reached till the well. If I retrieve this road I could pick up a lot of water from it, plus fixing the well and the house roof could make possible the production of annual plants to sold them in the market. |
Also this road would be needed to facilitate access trough the site of machinery as a tractor and products transportation.
Kids Permaculture School
This idea came out of the relationship with my partner and her little boy. She has extensive experience in educating children in alternative systems such as permaculture and montesori.
The place is perfect for outdoor activities and would be relatively easy to transform the site in this direction. Due to lack of water the agricultural system is focused on creating food forest and perennial plants, leaving the annual garden to supply only to people living in the place. I have included a small classroom to do activities on rainy days. I have informed the council if is possible to perform this construction, and they said no problem but not more than thirty square meters. |
Permaculture Education Centre
This is the design I would like to make the most, but unfortunately bureaucracy and lack of money to bribe the council makes realistically not feasible.
This is a inspired design from other permaculture centers I been before like The Panya Project, where I have lived for over a year and I could well understand the need for some elements and the connection between them. Into the design is included a communal room with kitchen to take courses and have the meals. The veg gardens are to supply the needs of the residents and teach the volunteers and participants, the rest of the agricultural approach is with low maintenance by creating a food forests. |
Dormitories for volunteers and space to relax are also included, as other housing for long-term volunteers to have their own privacy.
The Chosen Design Concept
The final design is almost the same of the educational centre but, because terms of laws we had to adjust it.The final design is been decided between my partner and I, as I said earlier this is a family project. We put our heads together to think more realistically what is the most appropriate design for our land.
This design is intended to be carried out during the first six years, but the food forest is something that will take a little bit longer, we estimate between ten and twenty years to be established. Everything depends on the workforce and persistence when doing the implementation.
We have decided to have a second house at the land. We think that is the only way that always there is someone all the time, and we can make turns to protect the place from thieves. This second house is located next to the water well and far away enough that we all have privacy from each other.
Every housing building have around a little zone 1 where it will be a lot of interaction and very frequently.
As we want to have volunteers and courses they need a camp area to stay, and a meeting area with an outdoor kitchen for them to eat and stay, but because of laws it have to be as smallest as possible and only a roof structure. There can be tables and chairs so they can relax and know better each other. Also we can run courses or other activities in there.
Camper van is a good solution to host another family or the long term volunteers, and we have located it next to the underground water tank. To keep the food forest more under control we have decided to put the volunteers area inside.
You can read about when is planed to implement these structures by looking at my Implementation Plan (long term).
At the zone 1 we can see an area with a more intense yellow colour, this is the veg garden that because our lack of water we have to make it small, and we will be growing there only some family and volunteers food. Because the same reason we had to led zone 3 as the vineyard been this a rainfed crop, and let our zone 2 be the biggest trying to build a perennial poly-culture with multiple functions, and be this the biggest food yield at the land in a long term.
Kids playground is designed to be in front of the house, this is a big low area easy to see from many places, this way we can have a better control of this area from the house and other angles and know better about whats happening in there. This area have already some trees growing as hazelnuts, almonds and hack-berry that are starting to provide shade at the summer.
This design is intended to be carried out during the first six years, but the food forest is something that will take a little bit longer, we estimate between ten and twenty years to be established. Everything depends on the workforce and persistence when doing the implementation.
We have decided to have a second house at the land. We think that is the only way that always there is someone all the time, and we can make turns to protect the place from thieves. This second house is located next to the water well and far away enough that we all have privacy from each other.
Every housing building have around a little zone 1 where it will be a lot of interaction and very frequently.
As we want to have volunteers and courses they need a camp area to stay, and a meeting area with an outdoor kitchen for them to eat and stay, but because of laws it have to be as smallest as possible and only a roof structure. There can be tables and chairs so they can relax and know better each other. Also we can run courses or other activities in there.
Camper van is a good solution to host another family or the long term volunteers, and we have located it next to the underground water tank. To keep the food forest more under control we have decided to put the volunteers area inside.
You can read about when is planed to implement these structures by looking at my Implementation Plan (long term).
At the zone 1 we can see an area with a more intense yellow colour, this is the veg garden that because our lack of water we have to make it small, and we will be growing there only some family and volunteers food. Because the same reason we had to led zone 3 as the vineyard been this a rainfed crop, and let our zone 2 be the biggest trying to build a perennial poly-culture with multiple functions, and be this the biggest food yield at the land in a long term.
Kids playground is designed to be in front of the house, this is a big low area easy to see from many places, this way we can have a better control of this area from the house and other angles and know better about whats happening in there. This area have already some trees growing as hazelnuts, almonds and hack-berry that are starting to provide shade at the summer.
Details
Yield estimates
Rehabilitate The House has been prioritized the first year, we have focused on having a place to stay and be minimally save. This has been our priority yield that we can enjoy better now and make more easy to implement the Land.
Until several years the food forest will not be established, so now is it not count as a present yield.
There is also some immediate yields that can be extracted from the land as medicinal plants, nuts, carob and olives, which in the future we could transform them into products to sell or exchange at the marked. If you want to know more about the yield assess after the first year and the land input/output brainstorm you can take a look in my Site Survey by clicking (here).
In the near future we want to have animals like chickens, which can give an extra yield by selling or exchanging their eggs.
We can get most of the building materials from the land's nature, there is wood timber, stone, sand, clay, and over time more and more water.
Until several years the food forest will not be established, so now is it not count as a present yield.
There is also some immediate yields that can be extracted from the land as medicinal plants, nuts, carob and olives, which in the future we could transform them into products to sell or exchange at the marked. If you want to know more about the yield assess after the first year and the land input/output brainstorm you can take a look in my Site Survey by clicking (here).
In the near future we want to have animals like chickens, which can give an extra yield by selling or exchanging their eggs.
We can get most of the building materials from the land's nature, there is wood timber, stone, sand, clay, and over time more and more water.
Costings
We want to do this land project at the lowest possible cost, to be like this we know that it will have a high labor cost.
The cost that we will have to pay to the volunteers labor will be in exchange for learning permaculture, lodging and food.
Until we don't have more food from the garden, having volunteers is an extra expense.
The biggest expenses we have are food, petrol and van maintenance. In the near future we want to change our current transport for a smaller and low consumption vehicle.
Our van is a Nissan Vanette cargo that consume 9.6L/100kms (combined city and outside), so to do around 10000kms a year have a cost of 1000 euros approx, plus the environmental cost.
Last year we expended on food around 100 euros a month, that's make a 1200 euros a year (approx). This economical amount spent on food hopefully will be reduced to 25% once we have implemented and running our garden.
We calculate to not having much more expenses for other things, we have estimate than to buy a camper van to host our volunteers will cost around 300 euros, and also some other tools and gadgets to fix the house that I hope will not pass the 1000 euros for the first year only.
Like most land projects we know that the first years costs are higher, but once things and systems starts to be established in time we will have highest yield at lowest cost.
The cost that we will have to pay to the volunteers labor will be in exchange for learning permaculture, lodging and food.
Until we don't have more food from the garden, having volunteers is an extra expense.
The biggest expenses we have are food, petrol and van maintenance. In the near future we want to change our current transport for a smaller and low consumption vehicle.
Our van is a Nissan Vanette cargo that consume 9.6L/100kms (combined city and outside), so to do around 10000kms a year have a cost of 1000 euros approx, plus the environmental cost.
Last year we expended on food around 100 euros a month, that's make a 1200 euros a year (approx). This economical amount spent on food hopefully will be reduced to 25% once we have implemented and running our garden.
We calculate to not having much more expenses for other things, we have estimate than to buy a camper van to host our volunteers will cost around 300 euros, and also some other tools and gadgets to fix the house that I hope will not pass the 1000 euros for the first year only.
Like most land projects we know that the first years costs are higher, but once things and systems starts to be established in time we will have highest yield at lowest cost.
Suppliers
We have been thought to finance projects with funding internet pages with donation, but this does will not start until we are more established.
I can make the best permaculture course in the best centre, but if people do not know about no one will came. The self promotion is crucial to succeed, spread information about our project and activities in a multi-functional way, meeting others can lead space where work is mixed with pleasure by going to events and talking with the organisers, owners of the centre, and everybody with chances of been friends and/or co-workers.
When I go to visit places that I like I find people who is on a similar path from mine, and I can make friends and colleagues while growing my network. The best way that the work can find me is word of mouth.
Once already I'll have a pattern of fixed courses through the year I'll begin to establish a bit more my economy stability.
Our Nomadic Permaculture website has made that during the implementation process we have been able to make us known to others that were seeking to share permaculture knowledge, with food and shelter in exchange for helping us to implement our project, we have hosted several volunteers that made us save much in time, effort and money.
I can make the best permaculture course in the best centre, but if people do not know about no one will came. The self promotion is crucial to succeed, spread information about our project and activities in a multi-functional way, meeting others can lead space where work is mixed with pleasure by going to events and talking with the organisers, owners of the centre, and everybody with chances of been friends and/or co-workers.
When I go to visit places that I like I find people who is on a similar path from mine, and I can make friends and colleagues while growing my network. The best way that the work can find me is word of mouth.
Once already I'll have a pattern of fixed courses through the year I'll begin to establish a bit more my economy stability.
Our Nomadic Permaculture website has made that during the implementation process we have been able to make us known to others that were seeking to share permaculture knowledge, with food and shelter in exchange for helping us to implement our project, we have hosted several volunteers that made us save much in time, effort and money.
Implementation plan
If I believe in myself, persistence in one direction will make me to be every day closer to meet my life aims.
To be more specific about when the tasks will be done, I divided the Implementation Plan in two sections, and you can see them by following the links below:
To be more specific about when the tasks will be done, I divided the Implementation Plan in two sections, and you can see them by following the links below:
Maintenance plan
In the images below we can see an approximate valance of the expenses compared with the yields.
In the first year we can see clearly that are economic outlets but there are no entries, and we will have to rely on savings or paid work from outside of the site. Other option is to push us to do more courses in the site, but I think still have to strengthen our infrastructure and network, and may not be possible in the very near future.
If the plan works well in the future increase yields and costs are reduced. I hope someday we can be as self-sufficient as we can and need as little as possible from outside of the site.
In the first year we can see clearly that are economic outlets but there are no entries, and we will have to rely on savings or paid work from outside of the site. Other option is to push us to do more courses in the site, but I think still have to strengthen our infrastructure and network, and may not be possible in the very near future.
If the plan works well in the future increase yields and costs are reduced. I hope someday we can be as self-sufficient as we can and need as little as possible from outside of the site.
Here is a short list of things that will help to maintain our land. You can see more following the links of the Long term Implementation Plan.
From now and ever
- Maintain the infrastructures
- Water tanks maintenance
- Maintain veg garden
- Maintain herbs garden
- Maintain fruit trees
- Make lots of compost
- Seed saving
Next steps
- Basic needs such as water must be generated by nature without input from transportation
- More volunteers = less personal effort + work done= everyone wins
- Run courses and workshops at the land to implement the site
Future
- Pond maintenance
- Maintain the vineyard
- Maintain food forest
- Introduce animals for maintenance labor and to make products for trade.
- Create a marked stock from our products
- Keep perennials and introduces new ones to sell at the market.