LANDCRAFTING

The new integral land planning profession
12 Sessions

1. Ancient Hawaiian Land Practices – The ancient hawaiians had specific methods of cultivating the land, harvesting water, siting homes, gardens and ceremonial centers to make the best use of (maximize) space, diversity and fertile land. (See Ahupua’a, Loi, …
2. Story work – The richness of a people and a culture can be measured by the stories that are told and shared. A focus on the story of the land and its owners helps to shape emerging culture in a way that benefits all life and is entertaining as well.
3. Primal Permaculture – Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable communities. Its Ethics (1. Care of Earth, 2. Care of People, 3. Return Surplus to 1 & 2) and Principles – form a template for agricultural productivity and earth-human balance.
4. Pathway design – Landscapes and properties are connected and traveled by means of pathways and sometimes more. When the time comes to bring in heavy equipment the system must be road worthy and open to all niches. Their design can include hard surfaces but usually can be handled with less and just in the critical places.
5. Terraforming – Land can be shaped to form an exciting and diverse landscape. Ponds, mounds, hillocks, glens, glades are all possible on one property.
6. Cultivation on site – Every home and property in the new now needs to begin to produce as much as possible, it’s needs on site.
7. Food forests – In a cultivated landscape, we can use the forest as model for integrated edible design. This means vertical (seven layers- root, herb, vegetable, vine, dwarf, semi-dwarf, standard) as well as horizontal stacking.
8. Irrigation systems – Water security is the most critical component in any landcraft design. Catching, storing and using the water to the benefit of all inhabitants (people, plants, animals),
9. Siting (architecture) – Where a home, greenhouse, barn, garden, food forest is placed, in relation to the other structures, elements and landforms is a critical component to a productive and beautiful landcraft design.
10. Sweet spots – On each property is found special places that resonate with the frequency of the place. Forests, stream, flowers, rock outcroppings, viewscapes are some of the specifics. They are inherent on the site, or can be crafted with terraforming.
11. Land plan integration – A cohesive land plan is the precursor to landcrafting. When the land plan is clear and well defined, the ensuing landcrafting flows with balance, harmony and exciting anticipation.
12. Social Architecture– The new wave of designers work with senses, aesthetics, and culture inherent in the region and place and, in many cases, unique to that place.