72 hour design course modules - 10 day intensive format

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Modules by day

Day 1 – Introduction to the course-Introductions – personal (geographical), course outline, ground rulesThe Parable of the chickenLessons from the chicken – what is a system?- inputs and outputs – work and pollution – cycling– polycultures – design cycle O A D IObservation walk and debriefEthics of PermacultureCharacteristics of natural systemsPermaculture definedHow the course participants will be organised allocation of tasks, issues, questions

Day 2 – Introduction to permaculture designRecap – ethics and action through design- the parable of the chicken and the introduction to systems– monoculture to polycultures and the importance of gardeningDesign cycle (O-A-D-I)Analysis and placement, work and materials flowSite analysis - classic homestead pattern  – zoningOur creation story – the basic elements of life, the universe (and everything)Water, Carbon and the basics of life– hydrocarbons and carbohydrates - combustion and respiration- storage and release of solar energy in NatureBasic ecology- trophic levels – successionLife in soilAgriculture, horticulture and soilSoil building in natureCourse organisation – review

Day 3 – Soils and lifeRecap + Soil introductionNutrients in soilSystems and Design  – elements(1) / relationships (2) /functions (3)Design cycle – BREDIMDesign tools – Relative PermanenceObservation and Pattern – observation walk/exerciseSite analysis – sector analysisDesign – design cycle (O-A-D-I) - permaculture design defined part 1Soil structure (1)Soil as a growing mediumSoil  classification and soil testingSoil structure (2)Soil structure and edgeThe nitrogen cycle in soilsSoil as a building material

Day 4 – Soils, Water and lifePermaculture design defined part 2Design cycle – BREDIMDesign tools – Relative PermanencePolycultures, plant guilds, interaction matrixLife in soils – pulsing, ethylene, ferrous/ferric switchSoil building in zones 1 and 2 (composts, fertilisers and mulches)Design and systems – yields, elements, functions and eventsPolycultures in zones 1 and 2Water is essential for life– open structure – pH – dissolved salts – salting– dissolved gasses – buffering – acid rainPermaculture design defined part 3 – material and conceptual componentsObservation exercise - SpiralsPattern - spiralsPolycultures in Zone 3 – Rangelands, Holistic ManagementPolycultures in Zone 3  - Cereal growing

Day 5  - Climate and Water in the landscapeRecap – dresign directives – one function served by many elementsDesign – risks and eventsWater for energy and tranportation – density effects- "living water" – Schauberger and implosion powerSystems and energy – open and closed systems– the efficiency of natural processes - “exergy” and “lethargy”Design objectives and directivesLimiting factors in designClimate – world climate zones and climate patterns – weather systemsWater in the Landscape – swales, dam sites,  keyline planning- sandpit demonstration (include demonstrations of patterns of entropy and critical state)The water cycle and Kravcik's workClassic landscape profile – choosing sites for construction and buildingsUses of water – sources, sinks and storesSwales and water harvestingTerracingSalting in drylandsNatural wastewater treatment

Day 6  Broadscale designDesign as a systemDesign – random assemblyDesign methods -summaryWorking at scaleCultivating in climate zones, creating microclimateSystems – emergence, growth and feedback loops – purpose and functionPonds and lakesAquaculture 1 – systems, chinampas, ecological aquacultureA sense of place – bioregions and social zoning

Day 7  Forests and woodlandsAquaculture 2 - fish farming and aquaponicsTrees and forests – energy transactionsBranching patternsForest gardensPatterns: succession and stackingWoodland management and composting Jean Pain, Hugel moundsEdge and how to use it – using nicheTeamwork observedPatterns of Association

Day 8  Design for positive social changeThe client and the brief – how to get more doneDesign project – project selection and brief -  summary of design methodsSettlement scales and sizesVillage life – patterns of a settled society- basic needs -  providing for community needs- questions of scale“Wealth” and Right Livelihood- what is wealth?  - right livelihood- hints and tips "from the front line"- creating linkages, beneficial relationshipCommunal organisation – “patterns of governance”- tribal societies - civilisation and the city- complex societies - cultural evolutions - alternative nationsUseful patterns of organisation and business

Day 9  Communtity finance and economic transition“Community trading” and “community money”Community economics and firmsSystems: Non-linearity in nature and society – “expect the unexpected”Designing aid programmes effectivelyDesign project work

Day 10  Design projects  and completionDesign presentationsPatterns of patterns – a summary of the different types of patterns in nature- a general model?CertificatesFeedbackWhat's next?  Diploma programmes – participants' projects - local and global networks