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Ecopatterns
A Pattern Language for ecosystems.
A Partial Hierarchy of Parts for Ecosystems:
Region
Coastal Zone
Harbor
Spit
Bay
Estuary
Lagoon
Penninsula
Marsh
Beach
Other Zones ...
The Ecopatterns Wiki
Design MatriX is implementing an Ecopatterns Wiki, an initiative to enable many people to compose Ecopatterns for ecosystems and the environment.We need contributors and sponsors! Check out the Ecopatterns Wiki page to find out more.
Hierarchy of Parts
As described in Anatomy of a Pattern Language, a pattern language consists of a hierarchy of parts linked together by patterns which solve generic design problems. An example of a part in the ecosystem is the part coastal zone. The part coastal zone combined with other zones make up the part region. On the other hand, the part coastal zone can be decomposed into such parts as harbor, spit, bay, estuary, lagoon, penninsula, marsh, and beach.Some Example Ecopatterns
For energy:
Local Energy Sources
Wind Powered Electricity
Natural Gas Vehicles
Natural Gas Fleets
Small Energy Sources Everywhere
Passive Solar Heating and Cooling
High Performance Windows
Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Solar Carports
For water conservation:
For waste management:
Wind Powered Electricity
Natural Gas Vehicles
Natural Gas Fleets
Small Energy Sources Everywhere
Passive Solar Heating and Cooling
High Performance Windows
Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Solar Carports
Feel free to copy our Pattern Template to compose your own. Comments in the HTML source code provide directions.
Acknowledgments
This work is based on the Ecopatterns course, taught by Gary Swift and Ken Asplund at the School of Design, California Institute of the Arts, in 1973, where the pattern language was applied to ecological design problems.