Our community will consist of thirty-six private dwellings arranged as thirteen duplexes, two triplexes and a quad, clustered to foster neighborhood interaction and to preserve open space. There is 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 $150,000 to $333,000.
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.
