What is Cohousing?

Hi everyone!
In this week’s post blog, let’s talk about Cohousing!

Cohousing is a unique style of living where members design a neighborhood with a “community feel.” Originated in Denmark in the 1970s, Cohousing solved a problem of people feeling isolated. They wanted to develop a living model that created the same village-like atmosphere they had grown up in. 

Westwood Cohousing Community in Asheville, North Carolina

Cohousing has six basic principles:

1. Residents organize to plan their community. Future residents help design the community so it fits their needs.

2. The design promotes community interaction. The site plan and overall layout is designed to encourage social interaction.

3. Each family owns their own home, supplemented by extensive common facilities. The inclusion of common facilities helps to develop a strong sense of community, while also ensuring families have their own private spaces.

4. The residents manage the community. Residents do most of the work and maintenance within the community.

5. The residents operate using a non-hierarchical structure. While some members may naturally step into more leadership type roles, no members hold authority over others. Decisions are made by consensus to make sure every member is heard.

6. Residents have their own income sources. Members do not make income from the community.

Built on these principles, different varieties of Cohousing villages have been created and continue to be formed! They range in total number of homes, amount of land to maintain, and whether they are suburban, urban, or rural, among many other variables.

A satellite image of Shadowlake Village in Blacksburg, Virginia

Cohousing relies heavily on shared resources (such as shared gardens, guest rooms, storage, cars, and the iconic common house), and are often very environmentally-conscious villages. By sharing resources, there is a smaller footprint for each member. As Cohousing.org puts it, “Cohousing is community intentionally designed with ample common spaces surrounded by private homes.” These common spaces can include anything relevant to the community, but typically include things such as recreational areas, walkways or trails, gardens, parking, and of course, the common house!

Personally, the common house is one of the aspects of Cohousing I think is the most exciting. Stand by for next week’s post, where I will explain the common house and what about it I find so fascinating! In the meantime, check out this great video showing what Cohousing villages are like and how they operate! 

So, what is an EcoVillage?

Hi again!
This week’s topic is: “So, what is an ecovillage?”

When I first started attending some of Altair’s meetings, I had no idea! I started to look into the concept and do some research. I quickly learned there are many types.

Broadly speaking, the goal of an EcoVillage is to live more sustainably. The term "sustainability" is used to indicate programs, initiatives, and actions aimed at the preservation of a particular resource. However, it actually refers to four distinct areas: social, ecological, cultural, and economic – known as the four pillars of sustainability. All four are present in an ecovillage.

Beyond that: Some ecovillages are spiritual, some focus on farming, some seek to improve the quality of life in an urban neighborhood. Many have a population of around 50-250 individuals, but there are no definite population guidelines; some are smaller and some are larger. You can learn more about ecovillages here.

An aerial view of the Dancing Rabbit EcoVillage in Missouri (they grow most of their food here on 280 acres!)

Altair plans to have around 30 homes with 60-70 individuals. To achieve living more sustainably, Altair has an extensive list of ideas, including following the Passive House model (which you can read about here), resource sharing (including electric cars), energy conservation, solar hot water, solar photovoltaic arrays for electricity, using recycled materials for construction, and more! Its vision and values are detailed here.

An example of Ecovillage housing in Ithaca.

One of the ways Altair will be living more sustainably is by following the Cohousing model. Next week’s blog post will be discussing the Cohousing concept. Stay tuned!

Resilience Reports by Phoenixville Area Transition

Featuring the latest from PAT: Click HERE. Imagine Phoenixville as a Connected Community.

Introducing our new blog: Altair EcoVillage in Kimberton!

Hello all! In this first blog post, I would like to introduce myself and the intention for this new series. Let me start by telling you all a little about me. My name is Madison Chambers and I am a junior at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. I am an English writing major with a German minor. I hope to get my teaching certification to teach English and German and eventually switch to full-time nonprofit work. I love traveling, swimming in the ocean, and dogs (I have three!) I live about an hour from the Altair EcoVillage site, all the way down near the Pennsylvania-Maryland line. I first learned about Altair when researching other organizations in Kimberton, and am super excited to work with Altair and write for them!

An example of an Ecovillage and Cohousing community.

Altair is one example of an EcoVillage. EcoVillagers strive to live sustainably, both economically and ecologically. I will go into detail explaining the concept of an EcoVillage in next week’s blog post.

In addition to following the EcoVillage model, Altair uses Cohousing as their model for housing. The Cohousing model is designed to create a sense of community, like a neighborhood or village. I will also be explaining the Cohousing model in depth in another blog post!

Through this blog, I hope to share the benefits of living in an EcoVillage and the Cohousing model, what makes Altair special, and address some of the concerns that come up during the process of creating the community. I hope to write a new post each week. I want to welcome comments and would love to hear any recommendations. There is a comment section at the bottom of the blog! With the help of some of Altair’s members, I hope to publish the entries at the end of the semester in print. Finally, I would like to thank Altair for giving me this platform to write, and thank the team for their endless help throughout this process. I can’t wait to start this adventure!

COHOUSING OFFERS COMMUNITY AND A DIFFERENT WAY TO LIVE

We wanted to share with you an article by Bridget Newsham, published  in Strong Towns, 4/18: 

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/4/18/cohousing-offers-a-different-way-to-live

Nashville 2017 - Nat'l Cohousing Conference

Altair Members & Friends on the road!

Healthy Green Living Policy

Healthy Green Living

An Altair EcoVillage value
POLICY

“Clean Environment” is a core value of Altair EcoVillage: We hope to create an environment that is free from toxic chemicals, limits the use of fragrances, minimizes particulates, and reduces electromagnetic and radio fields.

1. Clean Cluster: We propose that one of our town house/duplex clusters be built specifically for those with multiple chemical and/or EMF sensitivities. Through building with Passive House design, we control the air quality and humidity, eliminate mold, and encapsulate any and all toxic materials contained in the construction materials. By using prefabricated panels and controlling the construction, we minimize site particulates and the emission of toxins during the building process. In addition to Passive House design, we will provide shielded electrical cables, shielded meters, and hard-wired electronic devices, mechanical/electrical systems, and appliances free of wireless transmissions. For a small premium, residents can choose this option.

2. Clean Common House: For our “community living room,” residents will agree to minimize the use of toxic cleaning products, the use of fragrances for personal use or in public spaces, and minimize the toxicity of all construction products, furniture, and furnishings. We intend to utilize Passive House design in the Common House as well as much as practicable. Through the consensus process, members will be open to the needs of the chemically-sensitive members in making all decisions.

3. Clean Site: The community has agreed not to use fossil fuels, toxic chemicals for vegetation maintenance, toxic chemicals for insect treatments, and the burning of trash, leaves, etc. Again, the residents will be responsive to the needs of those who are chemically and EMF-sensitive in selecting lighting systems, methods of landscaping, and site activities which potentially produce particulates.

4. Private Homes for chemically or EMF sensitive: We intend to use Passive House design for a healthy environment for all homes. It is up to each individual family to choose their life style and the products and furnishings they use, but it is our intention to educate them regarding the benefits derived by limiting toxins, EMF’s, fragrances and particulates.

5. The Neighbors: It is our vision to become a model of “healthy living” for the larger community, and to that end, we intend to promote our values and extend to our adjoining neighbors what we have learned about the dangers of toxic chemicals, EMF’s, fragrances, and particulates and encourage them to follow our lead.

Adopted Nov 7, 2016