Pattern Language of Fruit Trees, Bathhouse, Greenhouse and Vegetable Garden - Blog post #24

Fruit Trees

This pattern provides nutrition for both body and soul. Orchards give a sweet fragrance in the Spring and free food for picking in the Fall. Visitors can meditate on both gravity and levity.

In the climates where fruit trees grow, the orchards give the land an almost magical identity. Think of the orange groves of Southern California, the cherry trees of Japan, the olive trees of Greece. However, the growth of cities seems always to destroy these trees and the quality they possess.

Plant small orchards of fruit trees in gardens and on common land along paths and streets, in parks, in neighborhoods, wherever there are well established groups that can themselves care for the trees and harvest the fruit.

BathHouse

This pattern provides a wonderful luxurious experience for the body. Water is solar heated while air remains cool. Healthy and invigorating! Garden plants soak up the steamy moisture, while grey water is directed toward their roots.

The motions we call bathing are mere ablutions which formerly preceded the bath. The place where they are performed, though adequate for the routine, does not deserve to be called a bathroom. – Bernard Rudofsky

Concentrate the bathing room, showers, toilets, and basins of the house in a single tiled area. Locate the bathing room behind the couple’s realm – with private access – in a position halfway between the private, secluded parts of the house, and the common areas: if possible, give it access to the outdoors: perhaps a tiny balcony or walled garden.

Put in a large bath – large enough for 2 people to get completely immersed in water; an efficiency shower and basins for the actual business of cleaning; and two or three racks for huge towels – one by the door, one by the shower, and one by the sink.

Greenhouse

This pattern serves as a heat trap, grow space and pleasant sitting room. All buildings will utilize this design to some extent. Some greenhouses will be reserved entirely for crops.

Many efforts are being made to harness solar energy by converting it into hot water pr electric power. And yet, the easiest way to harness solar energy is the most obvious and the oldest: namely, to trap the heat, inside a greenhouse and use it for growing flowers and vegetables.

In temperate climates, build a greenhouse as part of your house or office, so that it is both a room of the house which can be reached directly without going outdoors and a part of the garden which can be reached directly from the garden.

Vegetable Garden

This pattern allows for a constant supply of fresh produce. The body stays healthy through hard work and good nutrition. Tending to young plants keeps life meaningful, especially in difficult times.

In a healthy town every family can grow vegetables for itself. The time is past to think of this as a hobby for enthusiasts; it is a fundamental part of human life.

Set aside one piece of land, either in the private garden or on common land as a vegetable garden. About one-tenth of an acre is needed for each family of four. Make sure the vegetable garden is in a sunny place and central to all the households it serves. Fence it in and build a small storage shed for gardening tools beside it.