There is a popular adage for design that states, “Form follows function”. This means that good design should naturally evolve in-part from fulfilling the pre-defined functions of the thing being designed. For example, there are many types of paint brushes, the look of each is the result of the stroke that is deisred and media chosen to be distributed. Function can be observed in landscapes in its service to purposes such as beauty, production, structure, or safety to name a few. Through the lens of integrity, we can add a twist to this aphorism so that “Sustainable design follows ecological function”.

Ecology is the study of the complex relationships between all the parts of a place: solar energy, precipitation, plants, animals, insects, soils, climate, geology and people, for example. At Living Habitats, we see value by studying and working with the ecological functions of a place. We present the following concepts as an introduction to some of the tools we use to design landscapes with ecological functions. We use three broad categories to present our approach to working with the ecological functions of nature: Surfaces, Waters and Plants.