FLOW: An Integrated Biodynamic Landscape Systems Design

Idea by

Ashley Kyber

http://www.cyberkyber.net

Pittsburgh, United States of America

public artist | sculptor & painter | rainmaker Kyber is a citizen-engaged environmental artist and landscape architect that addresses community-based issues that widen the socio-political and environmental aspects of land development in modern urban sites. Kyber is a tenured professor trained in landscape architecture, horticulture and permaculture, who creates environmentally restorative works focused on stormwater innovation, neighborhood food systems development.

Call for ideas 2021

Flow’s landscape systems design combines design best practices, emerging technology, indigenous water harvesting and food production to create a environmental action plan for post-pandemic jobs creation/environmental restoration creating an economy valuing interconnected biodynamic relationships.

# Environment

Systemic changes

Architecture has been an object-based design profession that has relied on extractive industries for place creation. Environmental sensitivities have been quarantined to LEED certification and predominantly marginalized.

FLOW Utilizes the philosophy of Permaculture which is a set of design principles centered on whole systems thinking, simulating, or directly utilizing the patterns and resilient features observed in natural ecosystems. FLOW harnesses regenerative agriculture, rewilding, and community resilience best practices. FLOW site selection is determined by local oral histories combined with LiDAR Technology. These systems are intended to be developed in a co-creative design and implementation process. FLOW, following permaculture principles, stacks seven ecological design technologies into one landscape system design. These seven technologies are flowforms, biodynamic farming, hugelKultur, key-line drainage, US Army Corps bio-engineering methods, mycology and agroforestry.