Introduction
Concepts are approaches to problem solving and ways of thinking
that allow the designer to select and arrange components in a
design to meet the permaculture principles. While components are
things, concepts are guiding ideas. These may be ideas about how
the design process should take place, techniques that may be used
to achieve design objectives, or an all encompassing view into
which all the pieces have to fit. Concepts are derived from an
understanding of the site, appreciation of client needs and desires,
and the designer's own belief system and experience.
In any particular design there will be a process that is used
to arrange elements and determine their form, the choice of materials
and construction methods. Even a seemingly random, intuitive placement
of elements is a process and in some situations may be appropriate.
Conscious placement is generally more successful in more complex
design situations. In any case, concepts are being applied even
if they are not explicitly recognized or expressed.
Many designers use a systematic approach to analysis of site and
user needs and for making recommendations for placement of elements.
This process reveals the thinking behind decisions and makes it
easier for client and
designer to reach a common agreement on the appropriate solution.
Ultimately, however, decisions are not fully objective and are
made based on the client's and designer's ethics, beliefs, ways
of thinking and creativity. The design is a blend of science and
art tempered by human philosophy.
What a designer and client think and the information internalized
into decisions is important. A number of guiding concepts were
presented at the Permaculture Design Course at the Ovens' Natural
Park in 1995. The concepts presented here are not a complete list
and it is intended to be expanded as new ones are found or invented.
On the other hand, for an individual designer or in a particular
design situation, all concepts will not be fully applicable to
the site and people for whom the design is being done. Concepts
are tools for achievement of design goals; we select the appropriate
ones for the tasks at hand.
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from: Conceptual Blockbusting, pg. xiii |
