The Garden Appreciation Platform

[Lumbuck Thornton]

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[9anda1f]

Hello Lumbuck and welcome to the PRI forums.

I'm wondering about the purpose of this thread? Are there meant to be links? Also, you've posted two identical threads, so I'm going to delete the one in member's systems and leave this one. Hopefully you've more content to post explaining the thought behind your post.

Thanks.
Bill

[Lumbuck Thornton]

Hi Bill,

Sorry but I was not sure how to do this. The article I wrote jumps across about 4 different forums so I put it in the building one and mentioned it in the others.

Open to suggestions about how handle cross forum interactions because they are interlinked the issues in this case. Cheers Lumbuck

[Lumbuck Thornton]

The draft article/idea is at

ForumPermaculture ForumsDesigning, building, making and powering your life Rethinking Permaculture - Rezoning, Mixing and Distorting the Zones

[Lumbuck Thornton]

Most people in the gardening forum may not realise there is a new type of moving shelter that could totally change the way we design, lay out and appreciate permaculture gardens.

http://forums.permaculture.org.au/sh...ting-the-Zones

[sweetpea]

There actually is a new structure we've never heard of?

that link talks about:

"It started out as an idea for a piece of passive solar outdoor furniture and ended up ended up transforming future ideas for building, garden and social designs in exciting new ways and dimensions not previously contemplated."

But where is the description of a specific structure?

[Lumbuck Thornton]

It is hypothetical still but that is what I am seeking feedback on before building a prototype. Follow the links or search under the word "Lumbuck" and you will see some of the other comments and discriptions particularly under the building and design forum.

[sweetpea]

You might want to double check about ordinances regarding non-running cars on property. While it may want to be a GAP, the powers that be will see it as a violation. It would have to have the engine removed, all polluting fluids taken out, and tires are not something I'd want on my carefully amended organic soil. I know some people fill them with dirt and use for potatoes and such, but there's a lot of links to workers in the tire factories getting leukemia, it just seems like such a great risk. So it may not be as movable or a possible recycle as one might think

[Lumbuck Thornton]

You are right Sweetpea,

The authorities might catch on eventually but if it works then they should come around a bit like they did with "Earthships" in "Garbage Warriors" a true story from New Mexico.
The authorities are mainly concerned about risk associated with pollution, aesthetics, pests, petrol odours, weeds etc - all of which would be eliminated if the motor, gear box and fuel systems were taken out. If it was hidden in a shed when not in use then nobody should have anything to complain about. There is a lot of weight in other items such as suspension, pedals, mirrors, spare tyre that could all be taken to the wreckers. Even the seat belts, airbags (only to be touched by experts because of the potential explosions) could be removed. Car seats could be removed for more space or turned around in the cabin to make more sociable space.

The tyres could be left on to start with but could be taken off the rims if rails were laid down it could run on. This would spread the load more to reduce compaction and get away from the need to steer and make it very easy to push or pull with a rope or pedals.

Then there is the idea to reuse the self tensioning seatbelts plus a whole lot more from the wreckers to make an awesome adjustable hammock/seat on which you can suspend yourself in many different position. I think this would work. Clip the seatbelt across the vehicle, adjust to the right height, lock with tension then move and locak again to comfort. Could be quite weird and take a while to get used to but end up being more comfortable than a bed of chair because of all the adjustments. Might make a good movie anyway. Could be interesting when using a computer, watching tv, radio, reading etc. and be very urgonomic and comfortable to adjust your body to and move occasionally. Could be interesting for exercising and potentially others could be sharing the same space!

This car does not have to stay shaped as a car when used as a GAP. It would be possible to renovate the car body to what ever shape you wanted provided you could still fit it in the shed and thought the food forest tunnel. A wooden frame could extend out the side or upwards or both and in some cases only the car chassie might be all that is used as a foundation for a new structure instead of the car body. I suspect they all would work under a certain range of conditions. No building permit for the GAP would be required in most places but you would have to be sensible not to overlook other peoples private property, create a danger or anything unsightly. I suspect eventually these types of systems would need valuing from a rate and tax point of view and regulating in some way particularly if they start taking the place of conventional buildings, don't use as much energy and resources! It would be an interesting test of the ethics of the authorities and a welcome break for permaculture that has not had an easy run if it is not heavily subsidised with other forms of income in many situations.