Holmgren principles
Posted on 2026-03-05 11:57 in tools • Written by Arno Peters
In addition to the Permaculture Ethics, David Holmgren's list of 12 design principles shows us helpful ways to think about our systems.
- Observe and interact
- Catch and store energy
- Obtain a yield
- Apply self regulation and accept feedback
- Use and value renewable resources and services
- Produce no waste
- Design from patterns to details
- Integrate rather than segregate
- Use small and slow solutions
- Use and value diversity
- Use edges and value the marginal
- Creatively use and respond to change
Observe and interact
More and longer observation makes better plans. 'Interact' means that we can and should try stuff out in order to inform our observation. After all, we are part of the system and our interactions should be taken into account as well.
Catch and store energy
Energy is a highly sought after commodity in the natural world. Plants compete for sunlight, they store energy in their seeds and their roots. Squirrels store nuts. Animals fatten up for winter. Farmers dry grass and store it as hay.
Obtain a yield
A yield is a surplus, anything that produces more than we can consume. This surplus creates buffers for leaner times. Without a yield (or even a loss), we deplete our buffers and jeopardize our continued existence.
Apply self regulation and accept feedback
Moderation and humbleness!
Use and value renewable resources and services
Thank the Sun for her continuing support of life on Earth!
Produce no waste
Close your loops! Make sure every output in your system is the input to some element in your system!
Design from patterns to details
Broad strokes first, before filling in.
Integrate rather than segregate
Multiple functions for each element!
Use small and slow solutions
Those types of solution also tend to be simple, easy to maintain and quick to replace.
Use and value diversity
Every plant, every insect, every part of creation has a part to play. Diversity provides life, as a whole, with the resilience to withstand (almost) anything and flourish in the face of adversity.
Use edges and value the marginal
Edges are where the action is. Interesting things happen at the boundary between two systems — at their interface. By increasing the surface area of this interface, we encourage more interaction.
The marginal means systems that have had to get creative in order to survive. This means they are hardy and exploit resources no other system can (or is willing to). They can be the pioneers to prepare a site for less marginal habitants.
Creatively use and respond to change
Change is the only constant in this world. We should not be surprised by it, and yet most times we are. We tense up when confronted with (unanticipated) changes. By expecting things to change and by being relaxed about it, we are better able to come up with a creative response.