The goal of this project was to integrate traditional formal garden design with a full understanding and application of Permaculture principles (as developed at the University of Tasmania in 1978), while remaining compliant with the City of Birmingham’s land-use and surface coverage requirements. Particular attention was given to accurately distinguishing between impervious and permeable surfaces and how each is calculated within municipal land-use and development formulas. The design incorporates native grass plantings, a permeable driveway and patio, and our drainage diffusement chamber technology, which captures and manages all surface stormwater runoff generated from the rear of the house and the adjacent garage. The permeable brick pavers are installed over our proprietary, engineered base materials designed specifically for surface stormwater volumetric management. This system allows water to infiltrate and disperse naturally within the landscape. No irrigation system was designed or installed. The landscape is intended to function without supplemental watering—eliminating the need to use potable drinking water to maintain a lawn.
