Permaculture Home Design: Sauveterre Permaculture

We discover a beautiful permaculture home design dubbed “Sauveterre Permaculture” on the far South Coast of New South Wales.

After leaving their homeland in France, Claude and Helene Marmoux travelled to Australia where they settled in Sydney. 

After buying a house there, and running their own business for many years, they left to travel the country where they discovered permaculture through Robyn Francis.

“Studying the PDC with Robyn Francis in the nineties was exactly what we were looking for, and gave us a new direction in life”, Claude remembers. 

Permaculture Designed Home Sauveterre Permaculture
The mandala vegie garden

They knew that a new life, where they provided for themselves, was the best step they could take towards saving the earth. 

“As humans living on a planet with finite resources, our first step is to reduce our impact, which begins with building smaller houses,” says Claude. 

Claude and Helene Marmoux
Claude and Helene Marmoux on their property at Brogo, NSW

Their search for a new home in the country led them to a parcel of land sitting atop a ridge in Brogo on the Far South Coast of NSW. 

Claude and Helene turned “Sauveterre Permaculture” into their home and design project. Sauveterre – or ‘Save Earth’ – was their ongoing inspiration in building the small working farm.

The property is a valuable demonstration of the principles of permaculture, and a cornucopia of design features and innovations. After 23 years at “Sauveterre Permaculture” Claude and Helene sold the property.

Permaculture Designed Home Sauveterre Permaculture
Reedbed system leading down to the duck enclosure

Want to know more about this permaculture home design?

In Issue #7 of Pip Magazine, we explore “Sauveterre Permaculture in detail, including:

  • What was involved in the construction process, including the construction of the property’s glasshouse and cool-air cupboard.
  • We examine each element of the home, including the ducted heating set up, greywater filtration system and composting toilet. 
  • We explore the external elements of the property including the covered food forest and vegetable gardens. 
  • Plus, Claude and Helene share their pasture management and fire management advice.  

You can access this article online here as part of our digital subscription offering, or subscribe to the print version of Pip Magazine here

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