Eco-renovation and woodland garden design - Devon, UK

This is an example of an integrated building and landscape design based on Permaculture principles. The design included the replanning and upgrading of a 17th Century Grade II Listed cottage. The building was in a state of advanced decay and neglect and major renovation work were required throughout.

The integrated garden design incorporates low maintenance food producing ecological forest garden and wildlife habitat. Structural work to building was required due to subsidence.

Materials & special features:

Building:

• Structural work includes demolition and rebuild of gable wall, kitchen and buttressing to north elevation designed into new porch

• New roof structure and purpose made staircase

• Organic paints, stains and waxes throughout

• Natural and reused materials throughout

• Coppiced local wood burner - for heating, cooking and domestic hot water providing CO2 neutral energy to building

• Thermal insulation

• Local skills - all building work undertaken by people local to the hamlet including; main contractor, cabinet maker and heating/plumbing installer

Landscape:

• Design and installation of high yielding, food producing forest garden - now one of the most mature woodland gardens in the UK, as featured in the 'Permaculture Plot' book

• Herb raised beds

• Edible fungus inoculation into hardwood furniture features

• Compost leach into strawberry bed and other plants providing nutrients

• Companion planting

• Extensive planting specification - native and appropriate introduced unusual edible/wildlife species

• Rainwater irrigation

• Animal habitats created such as slow worm/hedge hog