Holmgren principles

Posted on 2026-03-05 11:57 in tools • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, Holmgren principles

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 …

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Attitudinal principles

Posted on 2025-10-27 14:57 in tools • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, attitudinal principles

This is a reformulation of the principles Bill Mollison used:

  • Multiple elements x multiple functions
  • Everything gardens
  • The problem is the solution
  • Yield is theoretically unlimited
  • Work with nature
  • Minimum effort, maximum effect

Multiple elements x multiple functions

This principle asks us to look at how every element of our …


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Design of an Allotment Association

Posted on 2025-06-14 19:00 in designs • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, social design

Background

I was voted into the board of an allotment association in 2019. In response, I created this design draft to help me get a feel for the challenges facing the allotment association at that time.

I abandoned this design when I ended my involvement with the association in 2025 …


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Four Questions (4Q)

Posted on 2025-05-13 15:45 in tools • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, 4 questions

The Four Questions is an evaluating tool. The four questions are:

  • What went well?
  • What would I do differently?
  • What is my vision?
  • What is my next step?

Let's expand on each question.

What went well?

List all the things that went well in your project, presentation, relationship, life or …


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OODA loop

Posted on 2025-04-05 20:12 in tools • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with OODA, permaculture, Holmgren principles

OODA is an abbreviation for the words: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. Developed and taught by John Boyd, a US military pilot, as a mental model for training other pilots.

Observe is about overseeing the whole, everything, facts and emotions, the different players and their (apparent) motives, culture and history and …


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Biochar Cooker

Posted on 2025-01-29 14:30 in tools • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, practical

We created this biochar cooker during the second week of my first PDC. It is made from two large drums and one smaller can.

Materials required

  • two drums with a lid of equal size (fuel drum and cooking support)
  • one larger drum (optional, air inlet skirt)
  • one can (chimney)
  • two …

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PASTE survey allotment garden (2024)

Posted on 2024-12-20 21:00 in surveys • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, survey, PASTE, garden design, Eindhoven, season: summer

Starting from September 2018, Ina and I have rented an allotment at an association nearby. Ina quit the allotment in January 2023. I have ended our contract with the association in December 2024.

This survey lists the species found in the garden in 2024.

This list is part of the …


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Design: Coaching Practice

Posted on 2024-05-28 15:44 in designs • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, social design, design web, facilitation, dreaming circle, vision, brainstorm, mind map

Background

I recently felt a longing to do a design based on the Design Web of Looby Macnamara. An opportunity presented itself as I came into contact with Marieke, a woman who was looking for a way to reboot her business. I proposed to facilitate a design with her.

Design …


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Permaculture Ethics

Posted on 2023-05-05 15:17 in tools • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, ethics

Ethics

  • Earth care
  • People care
  • Fair share / Future care

To consider for Earth Care and Future Care:

  • Refuse
  • Rethink
  • Reduce
  • Reuse
  • Repair
  • Repurpose
  • Recycle
  • Recover

Permaculture Ethics and Principles

Posted on 2023-05-05 15:17 in tools • Written by Arno Peters • Tagged with permaculture, ethics, Holmgren principles, attitudinal principles

Ethics

  • Earth care
  • People care
  • Fair share / Future care

To consider for Earth Care and Future Care:

  • Refuse
  • Rethink
  • Reduce
  • Reuse
  • Repair
  • Repurpose
  • Recycle
  • Recover

Attitudinal principles

  • Multiple elements x multiple functions
  • Everything gardens
  • The problem is the solution
  • Yield is theoretically unlimited
  • Work with nature
  • Minimum effort, maximum effect …

Continue reading