Practical Permaculture with DAN - intro to the course

Some potential clients and my former partner architects often contact me to work on their projects. This video wasn't intended as such, and yet, there's a very clear explanation of why I have switched to Permaculture. And there's no turning back...

I'd love to assist you conceptualize, design, install your own project, improve it, renovate it, give it a new direction, define a kick-ass planting plan or water management setups, only as long as it's a permaculture project!

Custom playground for BaanDoi Foundation

Conceptual design was done together with Ruud Mesdag, a Dutch landscape architect and permaculturist. I then adjusted details and supervised construction done by BaanDoi Foundation's builder, P'Sak. We also had some designing activities with the kids: searching for designs on internet, finding out which ones are suitable or enjoyable, etc.

Kids also helped a bit, they were so impatient to have the playground finished!

Taking turns for the fun tools!

*Not* touching the tree

Work meeting

We hired Ninjas for all the steelwork

completed...

Roofs work better than anticipated under heavy rains!

The climbing tower is the kids' favourite!

Fun times! <3

Water filtration and waterfall beautification @ BaanDoi Foundation, Mae Sai - Thailand

While volunteering to build an amazing kid's house in adobe bricks with expert Alby Marcos of Whispering Earth @ BaanDoi Foundation, and learning a lot in the process, it became clear I had to be back to get things done in my field: landscaping!

The existing fish pond's water was getting way too dirty to swim in anymore, and we were not sure how long the fish could survive in it, clearly time for action!

The plan was simple and didn't need to be much detailed before jumping into execution:
. clean the water filter and train Ing, BaanDoi's older Kid, for basic pond maintenance
. install extra plants for natural filtration in the pond
. beautify the waterfall in the process
. fix as many leaks as possible...

As everyone was still busy working on the house roof, I mostly worked alone, with Ing giving me precious help a few hours here and there, and it was a pleasure to work physically and carry out the plan, step by steps. We kept the budget to a strict minimum, and chose to recycle as much as possible all available material laying around: rocks, logs, plants...

BEFORE - front view

AFTER - front view

BEFORE - side view

AFTER - side view

Ing in action

P' Sak provided us with water Hyacinths for filtration in the pond

HyperTufa plant holders

 For water filtration and beautification, I decided to recreate as close to a wild ecosystem as possible, therefore multiplying nooks and crannies, creating as many niches of all sizes to hold plants and optimize hedge effect. To do that, I used a modified version of HyperTufa using coconut choir in lieu of vermiculite and sphagnum. This could be a world's first, most likely is a first in Thailand!

I look forward to going back an inspecting evolution of this waterfall, which I hope should develop in time to shelter a diversity of plant and animal species...


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Update July 2017

The waterfall works beautifully, the ecosystem is settling itself nicely...

Chief Gardener @ Naga Hill Resort, Chiang Rai - Thailand, 6 Months

Naga Hill Resort is a beautiful resort set on the top of the hill that towers Rajabhat University Lake, 12 km North of Chiang Rai. Its owner started building and planting trees on this bare (agricultural) land 18 years ago, and the property now has countless magnificent maturing trees and bamboos towering above, providing beautiful shade and a 'jungle' atmosphere that can only come with time...

My mission:
. suggest improvements for resort and carry out boss' decisions about them
. define maintenance plan
. garden maintenance with gardeners
. upgrade gardeners knowledge in maintenance and tree care
. upgrade garden practices and design on-the-go


At first glance an easy mission, local practices proved this job very challenging. First and foremost, changing practices that have been in place for a long time is a painstakingly long process that requires commitment from leadership, requires resources to be allocated, delegation of authority, sensible decisions put together into a clear action plan...

From working in this context, I have learned so much about so many things: leadership, practicing Thai on the field, practicing my training and communication skills, and obviously... plants, tree care, garden maintenance, setting in place my first permaculture experiments, etc...

Suggestions assorted with priorities, a document to assist decision taking

Surprisingly, there were no maps of the 20+ Rai resort. My first task was to draft a Site Analysis, and then proceed to make suggestions for improving the resort garden and overall functionality.

Mindmapping propositions

 I have grown quite fond of Mindmapping tools. I use X-Mind 7 which is available for free

Beautiful, mature and sometimes uncommon trees towering above us!

Beautiful existing garden and views

Delightful exotic bungalows

A Thai classic: trees show a history of less-than proper care

Do I need to comment this?

First things first, make tools operational again

Weeding is done by-hand. Very respectful of the environment, this practice is ungrateful for everyone in the team, I found solutions to limit time spent doing this

Morning surprise!

Tree care: practicing after watching videos and learning theory indoors

Making mulch material is one of the first steps to improving gardening practices

Making our first compost pile - permaculture 101

Can you see it? Are you scared?

Cedar Residence @Bangalore, India _Garden conceptual design 100%

Garden conceptual design #3, as accepted by client. Patterns, plants and different details will be adjusted during construction drawings phase.

Tools :
Sketchup + Autocad

Layout + furniture

Section shows wide space behind villa...

...while arranging a garden interesting to look at 

 Cobra power water jet. We'll try to source a Pharaoh sculpture

View from the dining room 

Swing seat 

Space ! 

 Extra seat, for reading or intimate chit-chat


#privatebackyard #Bangaloregarden #Bangalorelandscapedesign #greatswimmingpool #swingseatgarden #gardenswingseat