Permaculture Design Process - 10. Design presentation

by Aranya

The following pattern is a guide to what you might cover during your design. Either follow this through as described, or use it as a basis for your own ideas.

Observations

Describe your site 

• Explain the context of your design, where it is located, size of site etc.
• Show your base map and any overlays showing zones, sectors, desire lines etc.
• Does the site have any significant slope?
• How do microclimates vary across the site?
• What is the soil like? Does it vary in content, depth, pH etc. across the site?
• What flora and fauna is present on the site?
• What about structures, tools and events?

The client interview

• Who are the client(s)?
• What do they like / dislike about the current situation?
• What are their unmet needs and wants?
• What are their values and their vision?
• What is their timescale and budget for the design?

Boundaries / Limiting factors

What are the key limiting factors of the site?

• What energy and resource leaks does the site currently suffer from?
• What other limitations are there?

What are the key limiting factors for the client(s)?

• What are the key restraints (physical / ‘invisible’) for the client?

Resources

What is available to use on, or near to the site? 

• What resources (cheap, free, or abundant) and skills are locally available?

What knowledge, abilities and skills do the client(s) have? 

• What do the client(s) have to offer?

Evaluation

What were the key functions that you identified?

• And what aspects of your client interview and site observation led you to choose

What systems and elements did you choose to fulfil those functions?

• And why did you choose them?
• What evaluation methods did you use to help you make your decisions?

What connections did you make?

• What elements were you able to connect into mutually supported systems (or systems into patterns)?

What principles / patterning did you apply?

• Where did you apply any principles or patterns to your design decisions?

Design

Show your final design

• Reveal your final design drawing / overlay / model, or whatever other format you decided upon to convey your ideas.
• Explain your main recommendations, the key things that will make the system function more effectively.
• Were you able to improve the site zoning pattern?

Implementation

Where should the client start?

• Explain a ‘minimum effort for maximum effect’ strategy that will ensure early success and motivate the client to do more.

Show a simple implementation plan

• Lay out a basic timeline with suggested tasks.
• Provide some short to long-term options for a low and high time / money investment.

Describe any maintenance required

• What ongoing maintenance will need to be attended to?
• What elements will need clear instructions?