Our community will consist of thirty-six private
dwellings — arranged as thirteen duplexes, two triplexes
and a quad — which will be clustered to foster neighborhood
interaction and to preserve open space. There will be a
network of pedestrian paths in and around the community
with vehicle parking at the periphery.
The homes have from one to three bedrooms, varying in size
from 500 to 1,500 square feet. They are partially
standardized, with limited customization to reduce building
costs. Some site locations will accommodate the
construction of an additional room, thus expanding the
range of options in each size category and making a
four-bedroom home a possibility. The homes are private
residences — individually owned and financed — priced from
$140,000 to $330,000.
The Common House
The Common House
is crucial to the concept of cohousing. It is centrally
located, where residents regularly pass by on the way to
and from their own homes, increasing their opportunities to
interact with their neighbors. It provides the community
with a focus for socializing and sharing. As cohousing has
evolved over the past 20+ years, research has shown that
the Common House should be built before the residences to
help build the community most effectively, and that
communities with larger common houses are happier with
smaller private residences.
A well-equipped commercial kitchen is an important feature
of the Common House, used for community meals which are
served in the large dining area several times a week. The
dining area is often used for other purposes, such as
community meetings, workshops, presentations, etc.
A children's play room is usually located near the dining
area, so parents can participate in community functions
without worrying about childcare. Older children generally
have their own space for homework and recreation.
Guest rooms in the Common House replace the need for
individual homes to provide for visiting friends and
family. Office space may be made available so residents can
share equipment and supplies typically found in individual
homes. Communities generally also include areas for
laundry, woodworking, food storage, arts & crafts, and
music.
Planning for our Common House is well underway. The
architectural firm of Elliott, Elliott, Norelius
is working
with us on its design. Preliminary sketches are shown
below.
