Design Proposal The Arab Cultural & Community Center of San Francisco

Urban Permaculture InstituteUrban Permaculture Design Course

Spring 2010

nora leininger deanna monaco lily laurence brie mazurek jen schlaich

The ACCC is on the corner of Laguna Honda and Plaza2 Plaza Street, San Francisco, CA 94116-1421

The ACCC is on the corner of Laguna Honda and Plaza2 Plaza Street, San Francisco, CA 94116-1421

The ACCC is on the corner of Laguna Honda and Plaza2 Plaza Street, San Francisco, CA 94116-1421

The ACCC is on the corner of Laguna Honda and Plaza2 Plaza Street, San Francisco, CA 94116-1421

The ACCC is on the corner of Laguna Honda and Plaza2 Plaza Street, San Francisco, CA 94116-1421

Alley & main garden access. Front yard.

photos

History, Vision and Goals

History

Site history:Cattle grazing in mid 19th centuryBuilding built in 1925 ACCC acquired in 1973, left vacant

Geographic location:

San Francisco, Forest Hill neighborhood Watershed:

San Francisco South Coastal

Vision and Goals

ACCC's Mission and Programs:

Cultural programs: language, art, film, poetry, music, cookingYouth outreach: children ages zero to college; includes after-school tutoring program serving recently immigrated Yemeni children living in the Tenderloin, college counseling for high schoolers, and moreSocial services: citizenship training, jobs search resources, housing, immigration, cultural competency, legal referrals, women’s services, domestic violence, health and nutrition education

Vision and Goals

Vision and Goals To help the ACCC in its mission, the garden will provide:

Community space:The garden will be a place for ACCC community to come together for classes, meetings, and volunteer activities, as well as a feature to attract visitors, new members, and the neighboring community. It will be a place for the community to celebrate, learn, work, and relax together

Vision and Goals

To help the ACCC in its mission, the garden will provide: Education: The garden will be an educational tool for the Center’s educational programs, to help educate children and adults about gardening, food production, sustainability, waste/composting, health, nutrition, and cooking. It will include some vegetables, herbs, and fruits that are significant to Arab cuisine and culture, so the garden can be used in concert with the Center’s cultural education programs, cooking classes, and community service and outreach.

Vision and Goals To help the ACCC in its mission, the garden will provide:

Food production: The garden will produce food that can be harvested for the Center’s members and visitors, as well as low-income Yemeni families living in Tenderloin, who may have limited access to fresh produce.

Vision and Goals

Other considerations for goals:

Low-budgetLow-maintenanceKid-friendly (potential daycare program)

Assessment

AssessmentSectors: DirectionsClimate Sun/shadeWindViewNoisePollutionSlopeBoundaries/edgesAnimals and pestsAccessHuman useSoilWaterExisting vegetationWaste CommunityOn-site structures/resources

Strategy 

Base Map of Garden

The most significant sectors

SlopeWaterNoise

Sun / ShadeHuman flow

The site slopes from the upper South corner to the lower North corner.

Water sources include rain, catchment, hose, and greywater

Laguna Honda is a noisy street

Sun and Shade

Zones

Some Garden Elements

Cob bench using earthbags for structure

Garden Strategy overview

Sectors:Climate: Optimize sunny areas, catch water, plant for climate to obtain yieldsSun/shade: Plant to maximize use of sunny spotsWind: Block wind with trees and fence-climbersView: Block traffic and neighbors with trees and climbersNoise: Buffer with tree rowPollution: Buffer with tree rowSlope: Catch and store waterBoundaries/edges: Soften border with trees and plantsAnimals and pests: Address as needed

Garden Strategy overview

Sectors:Access: Maximize with use of paths and keyholesHuman use: Use zonation; create an inviting space for relaxation, work, education, and celebrationSoil: Sheet mulch to reinvigorateWater: Catch, store, and channelExisting vegetation: Mulch over weedsPlanting: Plant in guilds with cultural keystone plants, and include other edibles to obtain high yieldsWaste: Install worm bin; potential for graywaterOn-site structures/resources: Incorporate into site

Community Strategy

Community:Educate and involve ACCC community at all stages to cultivate partnership, interest, and support Enlist the Permaculture community to install garden and maintain in early stagesPromote through ACCC events and membership Incorporate with education and cultural programsOffer gardening, compost, etc., workshops to membersCreate culture of sharing, family, and fun: workdays, potlucks, community events, children's programs Harvest days, volunteering, social service

Plants and Animals

 

Plants and Animals

Animals:Bees, ducks?, gopher snakes? Plants: Cultural keystones requested by ACCC:

Trees: fig, lemon, pomegranateVegetables and fruits: Persian cucumber, onion, garlic, zucchini, squash, cabbage, grape leaves, tomatoHerbs: mint, thyme, sage, basil

Plants and Animals

Keystones and Guilds were created with consideration of:

Permaculture Guild Principles e.g. N-fixer, dynamic accumulator, insectaryCompanion Planting e.g. grouping plants with similar feeding needs Climatebest chance of success (save resources)

Plants and AnimalsKeystone Species & Guilds

Apple & Plum Trees: borage, chives, crimson clover, foxglove, nasturtium parsley.

Fig Tree: borage, chrysanthemums, marigold, nasturtium, pennyroyal.

Lemon Tree: chamomile, marigold, crimson clover, nasturtium, sweet alyssum, yarrow.

Veggie Guilds

Squash Guild: Persian cucumbers, okra, zucchini (summer squash), pumpkin (winter squash), chayote, beans, peas, radish, sunflower, nasturtium, marigolds, California Goldenrod, catnip. {Dislikes: potato, aromatic herbs.}

        Budget Two main concerns:1. Cost for the ACC 2. Amount of maintenance they will need to do

We plan to minimize the costs as much as possible through donations where appropriate and other cost saving strategies, such as volunteers.

Budget

Considerations for budget were: water, materials to re-route gutter, barrels for water storage, drip irrigation, tools, bees, greenhouse, cob materials, worm bin, and plants. Highest cost is the price of water: 15,000 gallons est. for site/year We will minimize this through:

Site design Use of a rainwater catchment system (greywater in future)

Budget Roof-Water Catchment Potential:We plan to collect roof-water from two sections of our roof. There exists the potential to collect 10,070 gallons of water per year. OR 183 55-gallon barrels

Rain harvesting savings estimated at 1,600 gallons = $1000

15,000gallons estimate needed per year-gallons rain (slow,spread,sink on-site) from rain events-550(3)gallons stored rain = 2350 gallons of water /yr paid by ACCC Cost estimate = $1294/year water bill ($107/ month)

    Budget

TOTAL BUDGET ESTIMATE water ($1294) + gutters ($246) + barrels ($180) + drip ($300) + tools (free) + bees (free) + worm bin ($25) + cardboard (free) + cob (free) + greenhouse ($200) + plants ($515) = TOTAL $2760

Questions and Areas forFurther Assessment

 

Questions and Areas for Further AssessmentMaking connections:

Canvas neighborhood to raise awareness . Connect with Permaculture guild.Connect with GFE (which is right nearby). Connect with SF beekeepers guild.

How does the graywater system work? How exactly should an irrigation system be integrated?How will the garden be maintained over time? By whom?Design and plant the front yard and sidewalks.Get more specific about which annual plants rotate where over time. Design a better transition from concrete steps to garden.Design front yard archway to highlight alley entrance What could be grown that would be of cultural significance to the Tememe in the tenderloin? Include a birdbath? Where? Stacked funtions with rain water catchment/watering plants? Cultural significance of visible presence of water? Include an owl box on the pole in the main garden? Is it viable to implement a fog catchment system? Fog is a considerable element in the Forest Hill micro climate--we could gleam a considerable amount of water from a fog catchment system. How much will it cost to construct? How is one constructed? Where could it be placed?

Timeline 

Timeline

Year 1, First 6 Months (Summer and Fall)Community

Propose plan to ACC board, create awareness in ACC community Connect with GFE, Permaculture Guild, neighbors, ECO SF Earthworks workshops, ground-breaking party, volunteer days PDC Course--Include students in the implementation process

ElementsWorm bin, cob bench, tools

Garden Remove the plastic landscape fabric, dig swales, make berms, and lay irrigation lines

Timeline

Year 1, First 6 Months (Summer and Fall )Build soil

Sheet mulch, irrigation lines under sheet mulch, straw mulch, plant nitrogen fixers/green manure, plant some perennials, chop and drop

YieldsSome vegetables, worm castings

Timeline

Year 1, Second 6 Months (Winter and Spring )Community

Fruit tree planting, springtime planting, kids days, volunteer days Center members and employees using site

ElementsAdd bees, rainwater catchment, small greenhouse, compost pileDesign front yard and sidewalks, plant front yard trees

Garden Plant trees and vegetables, build guilds, nurture the soil

Timeline

Year 1, Second 6 Months (Winter and Spring)Yields

Some vegetables, worm castings Feedback Loop

Observe and reflect on the feedback the garden has offered through each of the seasons. Request and reflect on feedback from community. Reflect on the overarching vision, goals, and pattern of the garden. Respond and plan appropriately.

Timeline

Year 2 (Summer–Spring)Community

Tenderloin outreach, youth and cultural programs, education, community events, summer solstice, PDC

ElementsAdd greywater system

Garden Plant vegetables and build guilds, nurture the soil, manage/prune baby fruit trees

Estimated Yields Vegetables and herbs for community and outreach; compost; beauty; education, community, food, fun

Feedback Loop

Timeline

Year 3 (Summer–Spring )Community

Tenderloin outreach, youth and cultural programs, education, community events, summer solstice, PDC

ElementsCob oven

GardenRotate crops, manage fruit trees, plant veggies, feed soilLess reliance on tap with H20 harvesting and graywater

Estimated YieldsVegetables, herbs, and fruit for community and outreach; compost; beauty; education, community, food, fun

Feedback Loop