Welcoming sustainability & regeneration
From combustion to Synergy
From ICO's perspective, all flames, burning, and combustion (complete or incomplete) are seen as intensely specialized tools, reserved strictly for manufacturing processes in highly regulated and isolated regions for that purpose. With this in mind, domestic lifeways and organizational amenities at ICO find utility only from renewable en
From ICO's perspective, all flames, burning, and combustion (complete or incomplete) are seen as intensely specialized tools, reserved strictly for manufacturing processes in highly regulated and isolated regions for that purpose. With this in mind, domestic lifeways and organizational amenities at ICO find utility only from renewable energy sources and non-infernal systems-- creating safe, pristine, fuel-free, and exhaust-free environments for all participants, our neighbors, the local ecology, and generations to come. Prioritizing utmost clean air and verdant equilibrium, ICO illuminates the privileges of biocentric Synergy.
From cultivation to Syntropy
ICO horticultural projects demonstrate distinct perennial and self-regenerative qualities, defining the transition from costly farming to sustained agro-ecology. Some hallmarks of these growing environments are the absence of modern agricultural noise, untidiness, tediousness, effluent, and cultivation (tillage)--in favor of perpetual po
ICO horticultural projects demonstrate distinct perennial and self-regenerative qualities, defining the transition from costly farming to sustained agro-ecology. Some hallmarks of these growing environments are the absence of modern agricultural noise, untidiness, tediousness, effluent, and cultivation (tillage)--in favor of perpetual polyculture and whole-systems connectedness. In production, efficiency, and many other senses, the result is prolific, family friendly, pedestrian friendly, botanically friendly, luxury human habitat. This also becomes a gesture vertically, in space: rising up from the density of repetitive geological and soil manipulations...into the lighter, more abundant, & fiber-strong liberties in and around the canopy, where fruits come freely given. Following Gaia's grace in all our agronomic pursuits, ICO welcomes serene and bounteous Syntropy.
From construction to Synthesis
From construction to Synthesis
As our society moves forward from heavy industrial compromises and extractive infrastructure, the appeal of natural materials and streamlined architectural design becomes ever more satisfying and practical. With organic approaches and fiber-based technologies, the basic desires for shelter (staying dry, warmth, storage, privacy, quiet, e
As our society moves forward from heavy industrial compromises and extractive infrastructure, the appeal of natural materials and streamlined architectural design becomes ever more satisfying and practical. With organic approaches and fiber-based technologies, the basic desires for shelter (staying dry, warmth, storage, privacy, quiet, etc.) can be achieved without dense geological mining, hyper-mechanization, kilns, toil, chemicals, pollution, effluents, and other means of recent and historical construction. With fresh inspiration and abiding care, ICO proudly finds home in life-giving Synthesis.
From Chemicals to Symbiosis
From construction to Synthesis
Chemicals and chemically produced materials have given us incredible advancements in our lives, and we give thanks for the benefits they provide. At the same time, people and the environment are becoming increasingly sensitive to many of these materials and to the byproducts of their manufacture. For these reasons, ICO chooses whole or
Chemicals and chemically produced materials have given us incredible advancements in our lives, and we give thanks for the benefits they provide. At the same time, people and the environment are becoming increasingly sensitive to many of these materials and to the byproducts of their manufacture. For these reasons, ICO chooses whole or minimally processed materials and approaches whenever possible--especially in agricultural and domestic settings--seeing the many ways naturally-growing commodities can exactly meet our personal and societal needs. Working directly with Nature, ICO programs and designs cherish the joys of biocentric Symbiosis.
ICO’s TrimlessByDesign Approach
Natural growth form of many fruit trees, with low hanging branches. Notice how the base circumference can receive the quiet mower's edge without obstacles and without further whacking/trimming.
Interior shade. No 'weeds,' no grass, no understory upkeep, no trimming around trunk. Tree does not have open center, so fruit could form further from main trunk(s), depending on pruning strategy. But less pruning needs overall and no weeding/whacking required.
Certain understory plants, when left untrimmed, don't 'challenge' the orchard trees. Their perimeter can also receive the mower's edge with easeful cooperation.
Establishing Harmony for the Land:
Resident microbes supply plant-preferred nutrition.
More complete than any fertilizer.
Bonus: No smelly or concentrated biosolids for caretakers or visitors who want to smell the roses :)
With natural/sheltered tree-form, biomass and all prunings can stay put, building more organic matter. No hauling ever needed. (Hauling could actually disturb natural balance & diminish inherent productivity.)
Pau Hana…
Wood trimmings and organic matter accumulate under trees. Even in arid-lands, organic matter can remain moist for months without any rain.
Irrigation liberation.
Dense plantings = more photosynthesis = more food for microbes = more vegetative health and land fertility.
Dense plantings = more production, more shaded ground, less 'weeds', less mowing, less upkeep, more shelter from wind, more prolific growth—emulating the forest.
In the spirit of ecological ahupua’a, steep slopes are kept intensely forested to avoid erosion, exposure, and needless toil. If transit is required, main accessways follow high ground, away from low spots and channels. Likewise, maintenance routes avoid these places of high flow or sensitivity, whether such contours are in production or not.
Open corridors for access and play.
Life is beautifully simple in the Exquisite Garden.
With ICO Design, landscapes and agricultural areas can become Immaculate Destinations.
Revealing ecological ahupua'a & flourishing land use
Mauka
Mountains - 'Place of the gods/trees'
Mauka encapsulates mountainous regions, steeps, cliffsides, slopes, and other highly variable or undulating terrain. These altitudes and locations often receive significant rain, mist, or seasonal moisture. They naturally appear thickly covered in diverse mosaics of vegetation--plants which hold the slopes in place and absorb moisture into the substrata that eventually replenishes the regions below. With their inspiring contours and resourceful beauty, the mountains often invite reverence, wonder, and adventurous play--but geological extremes and angular topography naturally preclude open residence or extensive activity there. In general, we may best pass through as temporary guests, students of trees -- and paying homage to each flowering god....
Makai
Ocean - 'Place of the waters'
Makai denotes the oceans, bays, estuaries, rivers, lowland drainages, valleys, and swamps. These expanses and waterways frequently harbor mangroves, wetland forests, and other ripearian or coastal ecosystems. Their resources and diversity--as in the mountains--again inspire sojourn and recreation. Yet, their powerful climatic variability, elemental flux, and unstable nature suggest we only frequent these waterscapes as reverent, mindful visitors--rather than for residence or extended land-use.
Kula
Kula
Meadow, plains - 'Place of people'
Kula refers to meadows, plains, fields, glades, and other flat open areas. Here, Nature welcomes us home--where people can run, play, create, gather, and grow into the light.
Only on level ground can forestry plants be thinned/opened to this extent without incurring the high risk of geological degradation and ecological compromise from over-use, disturbance, or even from normal use over intergenerational time spans. Any slopes--where rain and sun impact stressed terrain much less forgivingly--remain effectively planted with canopy. Otherwise, the fields and plains remain open for celebration and play: 'Plains' = 'Play - in' s
*Side note: Kula is also a Sanskrit word, translated as “community” or “tribe" -- and is sometimes used by the yogic community to connote a sense of inclusion and belonging, cultured by people coming together to practice harmony, through yoga.