The word Permaculture comes from permanent and agriculture, and it's a whole system approach to the design of human settlements that integrates landscape, water, plants, animals, built structures, agriculture, ecology, energy, economy and social justice into a framework that provides opportunities for humans to become a benefit to the planet and all creation while supplying resources for an abundant existence. Shortly, permaculture is a system to meet human needs while increasing ecosystem health.
Silvia received her Permaculture Design Certification under the guidance of Andrew Faust, one of the premier Permaculture teachers and designers in North America with nearly two decades of experience in his field.
Silvia received her Permaculture Design Certification under the guidance of Andrew Faust, one of the premier Permaculture teachers and designers in North America with nearly two decades of experience in his field.
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Anyone using permaculture design principles can transform their sill, roof top, patio or balcony into a sustainable food-producing garden: composting produces naturally rich soil out of kitchen scraps; tier planting, vertical growing, and inter-croping imitate the natural processes of a forest combining plants that thrive together while maximizing the production in small urban spaces.
LIC URBAN FARM - Conceptual Design
This project in Long Island City, NY is the first urban farm incorporated in a mixed used building from the beginning of conceptual design. The goal is to use natural resources such as sun, waste, and water to create a closed loop system that meets the request of the client of maximizing the organic farm production while creating a community and jobs. In particular:
- The planting beds of the farm are laid out in order to have maximum exposure to the sun, intercroping will provide the foundation for a balanced high quality soil, and tier planting will allow species of different sizes to receive light equally.
- Most of the waste from the ground floor retail (grocery, restaurant, cafe', movie theater, hotel, and light industrial) will be used for composting and production of high quality soil in such a quantity that could potentially be sold. In particular, all the vegetarian kitchen waste, cardboard, coffee grounds, dry leaves and wood chips will provide the perfect combination for composting.
- Rain water will be harvested from the roof and used for irrigation. Gray water will be separated from black water and used for irrigation or cleaning, black water will be processed with a bio fuel digester to produce methane gas for heating and cooking.
- The whole farm could potentially be a food coop creating jobs and involving the entire community in educational programs to learn how to leave a healthier and more conscious life.
- The planting beds of the farm are laid out in order to have maximum exposure to the sun, intercroping will provide the foundation for a balanced high quality soil, and tier planting will allow species of different sizes to receive light equally.
- Most of the waste from the ground floor retail (grocery, restaurant, cafe', movie theater, hotel, and light industrial) will be used for composting and production of high quality soil in such a quantity that could potentially be sold. In particular, all the vegetarian kitchen waste, cardboard, coffee grounds, dry leaves and wood chips will provide the perfect combination for composting.
- Rain water will be harvested from the roof and used for irrigation. Gray water will be separated from black water and used for irrigation or cleaning, black water will be processed with a bio fuel digester to produce methane gas for heating and cooking.
- The whole farm could potentially be a food coop creating jobs and involving the entire community in educational programs to learn how to leave a healthier and more conscious life.
Brooklyn Rooftop
Conceptual design project for a rooftop in Brooklyn, where the owner wants to fully enjoy the space to have family gathering, but also grow her own food to possibly incorporate the production into her business of organic vegetable deliveries.
The existing conditions show black roofing material that absorbs heat and becomes a problem in the summer. The edges of the space are very low and potentially dangerous. Sun exposure is excellent, the entrance to the terrace is located on the south side and it is partly shaded, which is ideal to reduce head gain.
The suggested design shows raised beds easily accessible all around the perimeter to create a barrier from the edge, and to keep the spaciousness in the middle.The paving material minimize heat absorption to improve insulation. There is a pergola at the entrance with vines (kiwi or grapes) to offer more shade in the summer and host family events. The AC next to the entry door has been incorporated into the design and screened behind and underneath a raised bed. A new water collection system will fill up two water tanks that will be used for gravity fed irrigation. Potential options for a chicken coop have been considered as well.
The existing conditions show black roofing material that absorbs heat and becomes a problem in the summer. The edges of the space are very low and potentially dangerous. Sun exposure is excellent, the entrance to the terrace is located on the south side and it is partly shaded, which is ideal to reduce head gain.
The suggested design shows raised beds easily accessible all around the perimeter to create a barrier from the edge, and to keep the spaciousness in the middle.The paving material minimize heat absorption to improve insulation. There is a pergola at the entrance with vines (kiwi or grapes) to offer more shade in the summer and host family events. The AC next to the entry door has been incorporated into the design and screened behind and underneath a raised bed. A new water collection system will fill up two water tanks that will be used for gravity fed irrigation. Potential options for a chicken coop have been considered as well.
Harlem Rooftop
Installation of custom cedarwood raised beds for a urban farm in Harlem. This rooftop faces south and has full sun exposure: it will produce food for the entire neighborhood!
