PDC Unit 2 Design Methods PDF
PDC Unit 2 Design Methods PDF
PDC Unit 2 Design Methods PDF
Topographical Map
elevation. If it has a narrow point it is a deep valley
and if the V is wide it indicates a wider valley.
Keypoint
A ridge is a series of hills and the land at the top of the
ridge is higher then the land on both sides. Water Valley
flows down either side of the ridgeline so water
catchment is defined by the ridgelines, they are rep-
resented by U shaped contour lines going downslope.
PDC Handbook – Design Methods
Site Analysis
A thorough listing of all relevant site
characteristics, amenities,
properties, advantages and
challenges gives us better
understanding of what are the main
design requirements, help us avoid
type A errors and create a dialogue
with the landscape and the users of
the land.
(See Mind Map on the right)
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Analysis of Elements from the kitchen. They can also be connected to a food
Before we select elements and place them in a design forest, where they scratch, eat weed seeds and insects
we have to analyze each potential element in the and also fertilize.
system. We are looking to design without waste and to A chicken’s scratching behavior uncontrolled is
delay entropy. We are part of the system and if we can’t destructive; however connected to the preparation of
use the outputs we have to find something that will. garden beds, it can save labor. Eggs, meat, feathers and
manure can all be harvested for use. The intrinsic
Elements - Plants, Animals, Structures. factors of a chicken can be matched to the climate or
Each element has needs which we theme to be provided whether eggs or meat are preferred. By assessing its
by the system we’re designing and each element has needs, products, behaviors and intrinsic factors we start
products which we design to be used in the system. This connecting the chicken to other elements in the system.
may be a yield but also may be a function. We also take
into account an element’s unique or intrinsic factors.
The intention of the design is for there to be a
continuous cycling and a conversion of products from
one element to become the need of another.
We ask “Where does this element go? How is it best
placed for maximum benefit in the system?
Below is an example of an analysis of a chicken
element. The location and structure of the chicken coop
will be governed by the chicken’s needs. Things like;
access to dust for dust baths which control dust mites,
air flow for temperature control and protection from
predators. Food can be provided from the garden or
from food scraps, a connection with a waste element
PDC Handbook – Design Methods
Zones
Zone analysis is the placement of elements to conserve energy. We place elements according to
how much energy is required to attend or utilize them.
Conceptually the Zones can be seen as concentric rings; a single pathway through the system,
starting with the home center and working out.
The home center is Zone 1 where elements that require a lot of attention are. The placement of
elements in each Zone depends on priorities, and the number of visits needed for each element; the
chicken house is visited every day, so it needs to be close (but not necessarily next to the house). A
herb spiral would be next to the kitchen so it can be accessed quickly when cooking. In reality
Zones are never concentric circles. They vary in shape and size according to slope, orientation and
wind.3
Zone 3
Zone 2 • Connects to Zone 1 & 2 for
Zone 0-1 • Intensive cultivation of annual easy access
Zone 4
• Home, garden and kitchen • Long term development
cultivars (grains, staple foods) • Larger & More Independent
• Herbs, spices, annual • Heavily mulched orchard Animals: goats, sheep, geese,
• Timber for building and Zone 5
vegetable bees, dairy cows, horses, etc. firewood • Uncultivated wilderness
• Well-maintained
• Roof catchment • Analog forestry systems • Reforestation area
• Grafted & selected fruit trees • Animal Forage
• Very intensive • Self-Forage systems: poultry • Watering minimal • Fallen tree Timber
• Dense planting
(Components that need forest, grazing rotations, etc • Feeding minimal • Natives for wild crafting
• Compost Shed
a lot of care, or that we • Windbreaks & Firebreaks • Rotating pasture for large • Hunting
• Smaller Animals: chickens,
use a lot) • Spot mulching, rough mulching animals.
ducks, rabbits, pigeons, etc.
• Dwarf grafted and selected • Hardy trees and larger
• Pollinator Species and Natives • Trees protected with cages,
fruit trees strip-fencing natives for wild crafting .
• Biodigestor, Grey Water
• Greenhouse • Un-grafted Trees for later
System, Constructed • Nut tree forests
• Multiple functions • Larger Grain Fields selection
Wetlands
• Clothes drying line • Water retention in larger
• Spot Mulching • Water Retention with Swales,
• Full nutrient cycle ponds and dams, and soil
• Water retention in Swales and earth-dams and soil
• Sheet mulch • Understory crops
tanks from roof catchment
PDC Handbook – Design
Sectors Orientation
Sectors are the energies flowing on and through the Orientation is the placement of an element so that it faces sun-
site, wind, water, fire, noise, smells, even views. side or shade-side, depending on its function and needs.
The aim of sector Sun angle describes the arc of the sun during winter and
planning is to channel external energies into or summer months and is considered in decisions of house
away from the system. The Zone and Sector factors design; areas of shade and reflection or angles for heat
together, regulate the placement of particular plant, absorption on surfaces. It doesn’t matter which climate you are
species and structures. After analysis of the Sectors in you need to know the extremities of your sun path.
The heat of the sun in the morning is much gentler after the
the choice is to allow for or to block energies on to
cool of the night, than it is in the afternoon, after a full day of
the site.3
sun.
We look to orient toward the sun for heat and light but to do
this, we have to think which way the sun goes through the sky.
In the northern hemisphere the winter sun rises in the
southeast, peaks at a low angle above the southern horizon
and sets in the south west. In the northern hemisphere in
summer (June, July, August), the sun rises in the northeast,
peaks at nearly straight overhead (depending on latitude) and
then sets in the northwest.
In the colder climates you may want to orientate more toward
the west to get through the colder nights. In the dry and tropics
orientate to the
east for the
morning sun
and shade
areas from the
harsh western
sun of the
afternoon.3
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