1. Collaborative participatory design process.
Members actively participated in the design of the Washington Commons. We held four weekend workshops (2019) with our architect and developer team.  The first focused on how the property will be used – including the massing of the building(s). In the second workshop we focused in on the community facilities; prioritizing our wants and needs. The third workshop we defined what we wanted our housing units to include  – i.e. number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.  The 4th workshop finalized the design.  We continue to work with our professional team in further refining the design details and finishing options. 

2. Architectural and site design for community interaction.
The physical layout and orientation of Washington Commons is designed to encourage community. Community meeting areas, gardens, mail pick-up areas, and other amenities are designed to support informal interaction and help to build community.  All of our homes open onto shared walkways.  We will naturally know our neighbors through our daily interactions.

​3. Community and privacy.
All member households will have fully functioning and independent condominium flats.  Washington Commons residents will have both community and privacy. Common areas, designed for daily use, will be an integral part of the community, and supplement independent private residences. Our common areas will include a gourmet community kitchen, dining area and terrace, gardens.  We'll have guest rooms for friends and family and a community laundry (though each home with have its own laundry hookups).  We will also have a workshop/crafts room, media room, exercise room and extensive bicycle parking.

4. Resident management.
Washington Commons will be managed by its members.  We expect to perform much of the work required to maintain the property. We will participate in the preparation of common meals, and meet regularly to solve problems and develop policies for the community.
 
5. Non-hierarchical structure and collaborative decision-making.
Leadership roles naturally exist in cohousing communities, however no one person (or persons) has authority over others. Most groups start with one or two “burning souls.” As people join the group, each person takes on one or more roles consistent with his or her skills, abilities, or interests. Most cohousing groups make all of their decisions by consensus, and although many groups have a policy for voting if the group cannot reach consensus after a number of attempts, it is rarely or never necessary to resort to voting.  We had our first "Process" workshop in January 2020 which included fun community building activities and practicing consensus, reviewing and building on previously adopted values, mission and vision statements
 
6. No shared community economy.
The community is not a source of income for its members. Occasionally, a cohousing community will pay one of its residents to do a specific (usually time-limited) task, but more typically the work will be considered that member's contribution to the shared responsibilities.

Adapted from Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities, by Kathryn McCamant & Charles Durrett.