Jonathan (Jon) Swift is an artist, musician and designer living in Malibu California. Having studied design and building from childhood Jon worked as a carpenter, cabinetmaker and builder for over 25 years before becoming a full-time designer.

He is currently focused on environmentally friendly organic design using alternative building and energy systems with renewable healthy materials. Especially exciting is the idea of low cost modular housing to respond to the urgent need for shelter in New Orleans and in many other parts of the world.

As each individual art form contributes to every other art form so we too as individuals are a contribution to each other and interdependent with one another and our environment. Design is based on people; how we work, play, move, rest and communicate.

"Organic" design is;

inspired by nature, sustainable, healthy, conserving, and diverse
unfolds like an organism from the seed within
exists in the continuous present and begins again and again
is flowing, flexible and adaptable
satisfies social, physical, and spiritual needs
grows uniquely from the site
celebrates the spirit of youth, play and surprise
express the rhythm of music and the power of dance

l'élégant système naturel;

be in the present what one wants to be in the future
the intended result is reflected in the process
every moment is a part of continuous creation

 

Everything in its perfect time. Everything is unfolding. And I'm enjoying where I am now, in relationship to where I'm going. Content where I am, and eager for more....

Resources:

The Design Process

e2 design documentaries

Vaastu Shastra

Building Green

Renewable Resource Data Center

CSI Green Format

List of Decision-Making Tools from the U.S. Department of Energy

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

California Clean Power Estimator

Miscellaneous:

Irrigating the Sahara

The Fisherman and the Banker

Poetry