permaculture approaches to the built environment

Permaculture Approaches toThe Built Environment

1. Energy & Water2. Foundation3. Walls & Floors (Thermal Mass

vs…… insulation)4. Roof 5. Windows & Doors (Light)6. Carbon Footprint7. Lifespan8. Inspiration & Livability

Earthcamp Village – small camping cabins made with various natural building materials & techniques, such as cob, earth-brick, clay-slip, straw-bale, etc…. Our most abundant resource is CLAY!

Cob

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Earth Shelter #1 (9 to be built)Designed and Built by Midwest Permaculture in Stelle, IL (June 2013)

After 2.5 days of digging by hand we rented a backhoe to be sure we were ready for the eminent arrival of the timber framers.

Rubble Trench with a 4” Perforated Drain Tile

Pouring the Bond Beam

A recycled 125-year-old Ridge Beam from an Old Log Cabin

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Built from the soil immediately below and around it.

Nader Khalili

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Earth Bags

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Covered with CobClay/Sand mix with a

touch of cement

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Covered with fine coat of earth

plaster

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33Cal-Earth

Air Dried Earth Bricks (Clay)

Slip StrawOr

Clay Slip

Cob Bricks

http://www.simondale.net

Straw Bale – R-30+

Combining form with function

Ferro Cement

Rain Water Storage in Tanks

Ferro Cement

Concrete

Fiberglass

UV Resistant Poly Tanks

Galvanize Steel

Ribbed/reinforced Poly

Tires

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Sunnyjohn ™ Moldering

Toilet Outhouse

http://www.sunnyjohn.com/toiletpapers2.htm#The Basic Operation

Picture taken by Midwest Permaculture at the Center for Sustainable Living in Loveland, CO.

Smells fresh (like wood shavings) all of the time with

the ‘solar draft’

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What is a moldering toilet?

A moldering toilet is simply a waterless toilet that is built to allow for very long term slow decomposition in place – the waste molders, rather than composts, much as leaves and plant debris "molder" on the surface of soil through the action of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms.

This “technology” for waste treatment is isolation and time itself!http://www.sunnyjohn.com/toiletpapers2.htm#Plans

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55-gal. drum+

Human waste+

Wood shaving or sawdust+

Red Wiggler Worms & Time

(Moldering for 1-2 years)________________________________

= Rich Sweet Humus

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A Double Seater!

Two 55-gal. drums underneath.

Steps and a two-wheeled cart simplify removal.

Building Design Exercise

1. Energy & Water2. Foundation3. Walls & Floors (Thermal Mass

vs…… insulation)4. Roof 5. Windows & Doors (Light)6. Carbon Footprint7. Lifespan8. Inspiration & Livability

Design Exercise• Family of 4 with two adult friends (6 total) available to

assist for 6 months. (Kids are 7 & 10)• Have some capital available - have 6 months off• 4 acres -- 2 low vegetation (S) – 2 heavy (N)• South facing slope, 10-15% grade (uphill S to N)• Off grid – Lenient building codes but no drilling for a well• Design 600sf home (footprint) plus, outdoors living space,

outbuildings, food storage, water harvesting, 30-50% food production and long-term land improvements: • Use local materials & labor as possible• Year round comfort • Water in and out• Basic food production elements• How family will develop the 8 forms of capital

Alaska

Temp. Highs: 90Temp. Lows: -30

Daily swings 20 degrees

Rainfall: 13 inches annuallyCloudy Days: 210

SW Corner • 64 degrees, 57’, 22.00” Latitude• -147 degrees, 30’, 55.00” LongitudeLot goes east 416 feet along road and is square. (Equals 4 acres +/-)

Semi-Arid Desert

Temp. Highs: 100Temp. Lows: 40

Daily swings 40 degrees

Location: SW cornerLat: 34 degrees, 38’, 22.84”Long: -117 degrees, 11’, 21.38”A square lot bordering Longfellow Ave. on west extending 416 feet north and 416 feet east.

Tropics

Temp. Highs: 95Temp. Lows: 70

Daily swings 15 degrees

Rainfall: 100 inches annually

Design Exercise• Family of 4 with two adult friends (6 total) available to

assist for 6 months. (Kids are 7 & 10)• Have some capital available - have 6 months off• 4 acres -- 2 low vegetation (S) – 2 heavy (N)• South facing slope, 10-15% grade (uphill S to N)• Off grid – Lenient building codes but no drilling for a well• Design 600sf home (footprint) plus, outdoors living space,

outbuildings, food storage, water harvesting, 30-50% food production and long-term land improvements: • Use local materials & labor as possible• Year round comfort • Water in and out• Basic food production elements• How family will develop the 8 forms of capital