cohousing and the community

7/24/2019 Cohousing and the Community

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Cohousing and the Greater CommunityA look at how intentional communities interact with their neighborhood

Intentional communities take many

unique forms and are found in vir tually any

type of neighborhood environment.Cohousing, as a philosophy, focuses onthe establishment and cultivation of community while reducing the residentsdependence on individually-owned material

goods. However, both the physical formand the cohousing culture can result in avariety of relationships with theirimmediate neighborhood. This is aninvestigation into three separate cohousingcommunities and the ways in which theyinclude or exclude their individualneighborhoods

Case StudyBrent - Erin - Kristen - Arch 484/584


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Cascadia Commons Cohousing:Portland, Oregon

Background Information:

Cascadia Commons Cohousing began as an idea in 1992. Astatement of intent and vision was drafted which later formedthe basis of the artic les of incorporation that formed theCascadia Commons, LLC in late 1995. By early 2000, the landhad been purchased, the architects had completed workingdrawings, the construction loan had been acquired, and the

contractor had been hired. The purchased land included anexisting 13-unit apartment complex, which was to be adapted toits new use, and an adjoining parcel of wooded land for a totalof 3-acres. By July of the same year, six homes were ready tobe occupied and the remaining buildings were completed byMay 2001.

Although membership has fluctuated over the years,currently there are approximately 50 occupants living in the 26-unit complex. Though predominantly white, middle-classedAmericans, there is a range of ages and lifestyles representedin the Cascadia Commons community.



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Building Form and Site Design:

Cascadia Commons consists of 26 dwelling units and acommon house divided into two clusters by a wetlands stream.The buildings are a mixture of two- and three-story structuresthat adhere to a simi lar color scheme. In addition to thestandard amenities, every dwelling unit enjoys its own modestfront porch and small garden. The two clusters are designed

so that their constituent buildings face inward towards theircommon green space. The common house contains a 50-person dining hall, a communal kitchen, a lounge, a smalllibrary, two guest rooms, a yoga/dance studio, laundryfacil it ies, and office space. There is a shared garden and achildrens play structure located in the northern cluster, and a

workshop space located in the basement of a southern clusterbuilding. Parking lots are included with each cluster and util ize grasscrete rather than asphalt for stability. Concretesidewalks and a wooden footbridge spanning the wetlandstream help connect the community.


Above: The Com

House and sharegarden.

Left: The site pl

highlighting the

building clusters


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The Cascadia Population:

Membership has fluctuated over theyears for a variety of reasons, including jobneeds, financial necessities, and personalcomfort. Varying residency proves toreduce the cohesiveness of communityspirit , as there are semi-frequentnewcomers. Additionally, althoughCascadia Commons does attempt tofunction as a community, the lack of rules and boundaries allows for muchvariation in interpretation. Variation, by

nature, creates valued diversity, but doesnot seem to strengthen community spirit.



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How do neighbors feel about the community?

The opinions of neighbors regarding CascadiaCommons include a wide spectrum, though most seem to beapathetic with the occasional hostile neighbor. Oneneighboring family, for example, has attended severalCascadia Commons events and appreciates that theirchi ldren are able to have nearby playmates. On the otherhand, a different neighbor derisively referred to


The

lot an

relat

to th

neig

acro

stree

The

dwel

sepafrom

park

by an

eleva

chan


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How stable is the Cascadia Population?

In short-term standards, most residents have jobsoutside the intentional community. Communal dinners andthe communal garden help to bring the members together,but other shared work responsibili ties have never beenadequately defined.

Long-term, members have come and gone over the years,even during the initial incorporation stages, such that thefounding members have been in residence since 2000, whileothers have been there less than a year. Most reasons forleaving appear to be financial or work-related.


Cascadia residents en

riding their bikes to wo

school


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Are non-residents welcome tovisit?

The community does invite some of itsneighbors. It is not clear, however, howthat takes place and whether it is an all-inclusive invitation. There do not appear to

be publ ic events (e.g. classes or lectures)or any sort of business venture that acts asa connection with the public.


Above: Annies 11th birthd

party with all her friends.

Left Above and Below: ThCommon House during

private and public momen


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Yulupa Cohousing:Santa Rosa, California


Yulupa Cohousing is located in SantaRosa, California and was built in 2005 bythe architecture firm Michael Black and

Associates. The goal of the community isto mutually help one another to overcomesocial isolation and reach towards theirhighest aspirations. They seek to providemutual support, inspiration, warmth andopenness to each member in a way thatnourishes many generations.



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Yulupa cohousing has 29 homes on 1.6acres. The land used to be the MayetteSwim Center, but the site was developerdriven and the Planning Commission andthe Architectural Design Review Boardpraised the design both for its " superiorarchitecture, a delight for residents andneighbors alike" and its " sustainability andhumaneness.



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The site has apartments and a nurseryschool to the north, single familyresidential on the south and east sides andto the west Yulupa Ave. with apartmentsand duplexes on the other side. Thecommunity contains a common house witha lounge, multi-purpose room, kitchen,childrens room and laundry. There is aseparate guest room, exercise room, andworkshop and an outdoor common spacewhich will accommodate flower and

vegetable gardens and act as a socialspace.


Private residences

and facilitiesCommon


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The Yulupa Population:

There are 46 adult members, 13 childmembers and 1 non-member resident. Most ofthe people in the community work and have

jobs in Santa Rosa. Some of the older membershave retired and spend most of their time in thecohousing unit. Children attend classes at the

local public school, but some attend aend a private school in the city.ionally community events are held inmmon house. Currently there is acommunity facilitator intensive seriess workshop planned for the upcoming weekend.



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How much does Yulupa rely on the largercommunity for survival?

Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5%

They have a small vegetable garden.

They are looking into buying 1 acre of land next to their

lot that contains a grove of fruit trees and are planning

on expanding their garden to the extra lot.

Most members of the community work in the city.

There are on-site parking restrictions for more than one

vehicle in the smaller units, encouraging people to own

fewer cars.They have a commonly-owned electric vehicle for local

use.



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Public Improvements:

Reconstructed deteriorating sections ofYulupa Ave.

Completed a half street slurry seal

Installed new street lights

Placed existing overhead wiresunderground.

Replaced exist ing sidewalk/ tree wells

with a new sidewalk and planter str ip.

Right side of street entry (right)

Left side of st reet entry (below)



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Street Interaction:

Faade has a bold and colorful design

Because of its distinctive architecture, it

is well know in the greater community.

West Elevation (above)

East Elevation (below)



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Entry and Skybridge:

The bridge has flying buttresses over it

to support a sound wall.

The design also acts a way to block

sound to the residents from the busy

street.The main public entrance is on the west

faade.

The entrance leads one under the bridge

and into the courtyard

Parking is located on the north side

along the fence.

Different views of the skybridge and itsdecorative buttresses



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Los Angeles EcoVillage:Los Angeles, California


The Los Angeles Eco-Village (LAEV),founded in the early 90s, is located in thetwo-block neighborhood of Bimini andWhite House Place in downtown Los

Angeles. Their goal is to demonstrate howto become a healthy and sustainable

neighborhood socially, ecologically andeconomically. Instead of constructing anew community they decided to heal theirpre-existing neighborhood. They hope thatwith the example being set, they caninfluence city dwellers everywhere to

establish more cooperative andecologically sensitive living.



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Currently, the EcoVillage owns .5acres, but has plans to eventually possessall 11 acres that make up the 2 blockneighborhood they consider to be part of thevillage. Over the past decade, CRSP (thenon-profit organization that started LAEV)has purchased two apartment buildings (48

units of housing, including two commonunits) which they are slowly eco-retrofit ting.With intentions of creating a car-free or atleast car-light community, intersectionsand alleyways have been reclaimed asplazas, gardens and other social areas.


Outlined are

two main buil

owned by the

community.

commercialCRSP owned

buildings

EcoVillage boundaries


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The ecovillage Population:Because of the downtown location and the number of

amenit ies located in and around the eco-village, people

(both residents and non-residents) are constantly comingand leaving.


Above: An ecological park located in the neighborhood.

concept for the park was initiated by community membe

Left: Green space in front

of building is open to

public street and acts as atransition zone between

public and private as well

as a space to interact with

other residents and non-

residents.


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How do neighbors feel about the ecovillage?

Due to the fact that there are about 75 participatingmembers living within a neighborhood of about 500 people,it is important that the eco-village has a good relationshipwith the non-participating residents and neighbors insurrounding areas. In order to keep up this relationship,

LAEV welcomes these people to meetings and keeps themupdated on current events. Although many people are notparticipating, most appreciate what LAEV has done to makethe neighborhood safer and friendlier.


L A l E Vill


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How stable is the ecovillage population?

The majority of the eco-vil lagers incomes are received

from outside sources. This means that they leave thecommunity to go to work. It is the intention of thecommunity that eventually everyone in the area wil l beemployed in or near the neighborhood.

Are non-residents welcome to visit?CRSP functions as a community transformation center.

Neighbors drop in to get information on a variety of interestsand needs. Bi-weekly dialogue groups bring speakers to theneighborhood to facilitate dialogue on sustainability issuesin Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. There is a monthlynewsletter, a tree steward group, weekly open-houses, andmonthly community meetings. The current emphasis oncommunity organizing is helping to build friendships, trust,and leadership ski lls among neighborhood residents.


This bicycle repair shop is

an example of the

community businesses that

allow residents to work near

home.

This board informs com

members and neighbo

upcoming events

L A l E Vill


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Is there a public element to the ecovil lage that brings people in?

Many children, including non-resident children, come throughthe community because of the youth center, tot lot, and

schools located in or near LAEV.The community areas act as a venue for all kinds of events,many about issues of sustainability.Community dinners are open to other neighbors, friends,and relatives. This helps glue the community together.

LAEV is a public demonstration of sustainable community

development sharing their processes, strategies, and techniques

with others through tours, talks, workshops, conferences, public

advocacy and the media.

The multi-service community center, operated by the Bresee Foundation has a computer

room that is open to the publ ic for a $5/year charge. The foundation operates programs for

young people and a community health clinic.


L A l E Vill


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How much does the ecovillage rely on thelarger community for survival?

Food Production-

LAEV has several community gardens, butcurrently only produces roughly 1-5% of their food. Therest has to be purchased, but they try to buy locally. It isthe intention of the community to one day be able togrow a much larger percentage of their food.

Goods and Supplies-

Retrieved from outside sources.

Implementation of bartering system allows fortrade between residents.


Left and Below:

Two examples of cgardens within th

village.

L A l E Vill


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How much does the ecovillage rely on the

larger community for survival?

Energy Production-

LAEV does not create all of its own energy, but

solar panels located on the roof are put to use.

Off the Grid-While residents all do their best to conserve energy, one resident

actually took himself off of the grid completely. He developed a smallbiological living machine in his bathtub with small plants, animals, and a20-gallon closed loop shower with fil ter and pump. The same 20 gallons

would re-circulate all day long so the water from his morning shower wouldbe clean by the time he returned home in the evening. He also had acomposting toilet that used no water, and used solar power for all of hiselectr ical appliances.

Left: solar rock

Below: A man r

his bicycle in orto power his

Television

Public Element:


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comparisonBrent - Erin - Kristen - Arch 484/584

Public Element:Does the public visit?

No. No. Yes.

The community areas act as a

venue for all kinds of events

Community dinners are open toother neighbors

The multi -service communitycenter, operated by the Bresee

Foundation has a computer roomthat is open to the public for a$5/year charge.

LA EcoVillageCascadia Commons Yulupa Cohousing


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Reliance on the Greater Community

Food:Community grows 1-5% of its own

Goods & Services:Occasional internal bartering/trade

Energy:

Some PV panels

A few residents going fur ther.

Transportation:

Shared vehiclesNearby public transportation

Bicycles

Food:Home-grown food accounts forvery little of overall consumption.

Goods & Services:Some internal bartering

Energy:100% externally-supplied

Transportation:

Nearby public transportation

Bicycles

Food:Community grows 1-5% of its ownfood. Plans to rent old adjacentorchard.

Goods & Services:Shared material goods.

Energy:Some PV panels.

Transportation:

Shared vehicles

Nearby public transportation

Bicycles



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Community Gateways


Situated wi thin an intensely urbabuil t out neighborhood, LAEV isclosely interconnected with itsneighborhood. There are no largefences keeping people out. Instead,the more private residences aremixed in with public schools andcommercial spaces

Cascade Commons is removedfrom the street and is buffered by thetwo parking lots, making it lessaccessible by their neighbors.

Yulupa has a main entrance off thestreet, but is gated and acts as aprivate entrance. Perimeter fencingdivides Yulupa from their neighbors.Other secondary entrances areintended for resident use only. Thedriveway curves substantiallyhindering the view through to theresidents vehicles, which makespublic parking less welcome.


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Public Gathering Places

The main public gathering placethe EcoVil lage are the two units usas communi ty rooms. These units located within the apartmentbuild ings. Also, outdoor spaces ,such as the courtyard and alleywa

where the asphalt is being removeserve as spaces for communitymembers and neighbors to interac1993 when the project began, therewas little to no interaction betweenneighbors and most were fearful oeach other. Now, there are manyplaces and activi ties that bring peotogether.

Invited guests are welcome tosome dinners and events.

Courtyard available to thepublic during special events


C l i


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Conclusion

There are many ways in which functional cohousing communities view their role in the greater community.

Physical design can play a large part in isolating the residents from their greater neighborhood environment.The philosophical design of the intentional community helps to define the communitys relationship to their

neighbors.

Without a sense of greater belonging, a cohousing community will not likely embrace its larger community.

Some intentional communities hope that their efforts wil l percolate through the greater community, thereby effechange.

Pre-exist ing, adapted neighborhoods can function successful ly as a neighbor since they are already part of t

common fabric, and can develop organically over t ime.

Having a philosophy that invites the larger community to participate in the day-to-day living, such as meetings

meals, as well as the special events, makes for a greater sense of community

Cohousing and the Greater Community


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SourcesBrent - Erin - Kristen - Arch 484/584

Sources:

Cascadia Commons Cohousing:http://www.cascadiacommons.com

Eleanore Hunter, Beyond the Shadows of Cohousing: Cultivating

Idealism, Identity, Borders and Trust. Unpubl ished Ph.D.

dissertation, Department of Psychology, Pacifica GraduateInstitute, Carpinteria, CA.

Yulupa Cohousing:

http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/default.aspx?PId=1

http://www.ic.org

http://www.mblackarchitects.com/yulupacohousing.html

http://www.yulupacoho.com

Cohousing and the Greater CommunityA look at how intentional communities interact with their neighborhood

LA EcoVillage:

www.urbanecology.org.au/ecocity2/losangelesquestio

26 August 2003, California Materials Exchange (CalMA

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/CalMAX/ . November 03, 2004

http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC35/Arkin.htm

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