The Cohousing Compound section of the neighborhood. Click here or on the image to see the entire "village."

A Cohousing Compund

A more deliberate way of finding mutual benefit and abundance is through a Cohousing Cluster. Typically with Cohousing, future neighbors join together with a facilitator and design a pedestrian-oriented environment, a cluster of homes with the parking on the perimeter.

A Common House with a large kitchen and dining space creates a greater sense of community as several nights a week members gather for a common meal. The cooking is rotated through the group with the resulting evening "off" several nights a week.

The decision-making is by consensus, and the grounds are maintained by the residents. Each resident has a private home with a complete kitchen, so they choose their level of community/privacy on a daily basis.

The Common House typically includes a laundry facility, guest rooms, and often, a music room or children's play area. With a facility that supports a greater sense of community, residents discover ways to share their lives, adding to their sense of richness and abundance.

The often under-utilized Common House could be designed for greater neighborhood usage. The kitchen could be upgraded to a commercial kitchen and used by caterers and bakers. Different dining groups, such as an organic dinner club or a vegetarian group would draw members from the wider community.

A Bed and Breakfast could become a source of income with more guestrooms!

Our Focus Group saw the Cohousing Compound providing guest rooms and a large kitchen/dining facility to surrounding clusters.

Click here or on the image below to return to our example community!

Concept Diagram ©2005 Roy Wroth. All rights reserved.