Imagine…

A neighbourhood that integrates green design with a social, supportive community life. Neighbours know one another. They have worked together to design their dream environment and to tread lightly on the earth.

What is cohousing?

Cohousing communities consist of private, fully-equipped dwellings and extensive common amenities including a common house and recreation areas. The common house is the very heart of a cohousing community. It provides a place for community activities such as common dinners, and numerous other organized formal and informal activities.

Residents are involved early in the design and development phases so that the community reflects their priorities. Residents live in a close-knit neighbourhood that seeks a healthy blend of privacy and community.

Defining characteristics of cohousing are:

• Participatory process
• Neighbourhood design
• Common facilities
• Resident management
• Non-hierarchical structure and decision making
• No shared community economy

Source: Cohousing Solutions

Inspiration: Sabin Green

Inspiration for the project included a project called Sabin Green, located in Portland Oregon, by a company called Orange Splot.

‘Completed in 2006, Sabin Green is a mini co-housing community consisting of 4 homes on each corner of a 75′ x 100′ lot. On the south side of the lot we renovated the existing house and converted its detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). On the north side of the lot, we built a new house and detached ADU. Each unit is owned as a condominium, and all four homes share a circular courtyard. On the north edge of the courtyard, we worked with residents and the Village Building Convergence to construct a shell- shaped tea house using cob, straw-clay, and other natural building materials.‘  Learn more