Orientation · 1 of 4
What Is a Permaculture Design Principle?
Understand principles as connected thinking aids rather than recipes, rules or proof that a design is ethical.
Read What Is a Permaculture Design Principle? →Guidance for design judgement
Principles
Permaculture contains several related principle traditions rather than one flattened universal list. Begin with the four orientation guides, then explore three separately attributed groups: David Holmgren’s twelve principles, Mollison and Slay’s ecological principles, and Mollison’s attitudinal principles.
32 published resources
Related, not interchangeable
Several principle traditions
These traditions overlap, but their wording, history and purpose remain visible. Individual deep dives appear only after their sources and Diploma applications support a substantive page.
Holmgren’s twelve
Connected whole-systems thinking tools published by David Holmgren.
Mollison and Slay ecological principles
Functional relationships including relative location, multiple functions, redundancy, succession, diversity and edge.
Mollison’s attitudinal principles
Prompts that challenge how the designer frames problems, nature, intervention and possibility.
Later and related traditions
Preparatory, social, cultural and place-based material that retains its own provenance, including Vrikshayurveda, Ayurvedic, Montado and Mă-Kè material.
Orientation
Orientation · 2 of 4
Ethics, Principles, Frameworks, Tools and Practices
Use the Library’s five governing questions to keep values, guidance, process, methods and repeated action distinct.
Read Ethics, Principles, Frameworks, Tools and Practices →Orientation · 3 of 4
How to Use Principles Without Turning Them into Rules
Pair principle-led questions with counter-questions, evidence and review.
Read How to Use Principles Without Turning Them into Rules →Orientation · 4 of 4
Comparing Permaculture Principle Traditions
Compare Holmgren, Mollison and Slay, Mollison’s attitudinal principles, and later or related traditions without ranking them.
Read Comparing Permaculture Principle Traditions →David Holmgren’s twelve principles
Holmgren principle · 1 of 12
Observe and Interact
Build understanding through careful observation and thoughtful interaction, then let feedback change the next question.
Read Observe and Interact →Holmgren principle · 2 of 12
Catch and Store Energy
Recognise useful flows and build responsible storages that retain value for later needs.
Read Catch and Store Energy →Holmgren principle · 3 of 12
Obtain a Yield
Design for useful returns while examining whose needs are met and what costs make the yield possible.
Read Obtain a Yield →Holmgren principle · 4 of 12
Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
Build limits and learning loops into a design so warning signals can change behaviour.
Read Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback →Holmgren principle · 5 of 12
Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services
Prefer resources that can renew and services supplied by living systems while respecting regeneration rates.
Read Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services →Holmgren principle · 6 of 12
Produce No Waste
Prevent avoidable waste, maintain what exists and connect suitable outputs with safe uses.
Read Produce No Waste →Holmgren principle · 7 of 12
Design from Patterns to Details
Understand organising patterns before fixing components, while allowing detailed evidence to correct the pattern.
Read Design from Patterns to Details →Holmgren principle · 8 of 12
Integrate Rather Than Segregate
Place elements so useful relationships can develop while retaining necessary boundaries.
Read Integrate Rather Than Segregate →Holmgren principle · 9 of 12
Use Small and Slow Solutions
Work at a practical scale and pace that supports learning, care and local capacity.
Read Use Small and Slow Solutions →Holmgren principle · 10 of 12
Use and Value Diversity
Value differences that improve resilience, choice and capacity rather than pursuing variety for its own sake.
Read Use and Value Diversity →Holmgren principle · 11 of 12
Use Edges and Value the Marginal
Attend to interfaces and overlooked spaces, species, people and knowledge without romanticising exposure.
Read Use Edges and Value the Marginal →Holmgren principle · 12 of 12
Creatively Use and Respond to Change
Design with succession and foreseeable change, then adapt when conditions shift beyond the original plan.
Read Creatively Use and Respond to Change →Mollison and Slay ecological principles
Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 1 of 10
Relative Location
Place elements by the useful relationships they can form, not as isolated objects.
Read Relative Location →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 2 of 10
Each Element Performs Many Functions
Choose and arrange elements so each contributes several compatible benefits.
Read Each Element Performs Many Functions →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 3 of 10
Each Important Function Is Supported by Many Elements
Support critical functions through several appropriately independent elements.
Read Each Important Function Is Supported by Many Elements →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 4 of 10
Efficient Energy Planning
Arrange access, frequency, exposure and slope so energy and work are used proportionately.
Read Efficient Energy Planning →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 5 of 10
Using Biological Resources
Use living organisms and ecological processes where they can perform work responsibly.
Read Using Biological Resources →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 6 of 10
Energy Cycling
Keep suitable energy, nutrients and materials in useful circulation before they become loss or pollution.
Read Energy Cycling →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 7 of 10
Small-Scale Intensive Systems
Concentrate attentive design where it can be competently managed before extending scale.
Read Small-Scale Intensive Systems →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 8 of 10
Accelerating Succession
Guide ecosystem development while retaining feedback, diversity and future options.
Read Accelerating Succession →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 9 of 10
Diversity
Design varied species, functions and responses into working relationships.
Read Diversity →Mollison and Slay ecological principle · 10 of 10
Edge
Examine transition zones without assuming that more edge is always better.
Read Edge →Mollison’s attitudinal principles
Mollison attitudinal principle · 1 of 5
Work with Nature Rather Than Against It
Assist suitable living processes while retaining duties of care and safety.
Read Work with Nature Rather Than Against It →Mollison attitudinal principle · 2 of 5
The Problem Is the Solution
Reframe a constraint without denying the reality or burden of the problem.
Read The Problem Is the Solution →Mollison attitudinal principle · 3 of 5
Make the Least Change for the Greatest Possible Effect
Seek a proportionate leverage point and test whether the wider effect is real.
Read Make the Least Change for the Greatest Possible Effect →Mollison attitudinal principle · 4 of 5
The Yield of a System Is Theoretically Unlimited
Recognise more useful relationships while keeping material and ethical limits explicit.
Read The Yield of a System Is Theoretically Unlimited →Mollison attitudinal principle · 5 of 5
Everything Gardens
Recognise that every organism and element modifies its surroundings.
Read Everything Gardens →Principles in connected design
Existing Cornerstone guide
Principles, Patterns and Systems Thinking
See principles used as questions alongside pattern literacy, relationships, evidence and feedback.
Read Principles, Patterns and Systems Thinking →