The 6 Characteristics of Cohousing
As Part of the Creation of Washington Commons
Adapted from Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities, by Kathryn McCamant & Charles Durrett.
1. Collaborative participatory design process.
Future residents will participate in the design of the Washington Commons so that it meets their needs. Our design process will include 3-4 workshops with our future architect and developer. The first will set the stage for how the property will be used – including the massing of the building(s). The second workshop will address what community facilities our members want and need. The third workshop will define the design of housing units within Washington Commons – i.e. number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. An optional 4th workshop may be held to finalize the design.
2. Architectural and site design for community interaction.
The physical layout and orientation of the building(s) or "site plan" will encourage a sense of community. Community meeting areas, gardens, mail pick-up areas, and other amenities will be designed to support informal interaction and help to build community.
3. Community and privacy.
All households will have fully functioning and independent homes, so Washington Commons residents can expect to have both community and privacy. Common areas, designed for daily use, will be an integral part of the community, and supplement independent private residences. We expect the common areas to include a gourmet kitchen, dining area & patio, gardens, guest rooms, laundry, and also may contain a workshop, library, exercise room, media room, art/crafts studio and other facilities.
4. Resident management.
Residents will manage Washington Commons, and also perform much of the work required to maintain the property. They 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 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.
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.
Future residents will participate in the design of the Washington Commons so that it meets their needs. Our design process will include 3-4 workshops with our future architect and developer. The first will set the stage for how the property will be used – including the massing of the building(s). The second workshop will address what community facilities our members want and need. The third workshop will define the design of housing units within Washington Commons – i.e. number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. An optional 4th workshop may be held to finalize the design.
2. Architectural and site design for community interaction.
The physical layout and orientation of the building(s) or "site plan" will encourage a sense of community. Community meeting areas, gardens, mail pick-up areas, and other amenities will be designed to support informal interaction and help to build community.
3. Community and privacy.
All households will have fully functioning and independent homes, so Washington Commons residents can expect to have both community and privacy. Common areas, designed for daily use, will be an integral part of the community, and supplement independent private residences. We expect the common areas to include a gourmet kitchen, dining area & patio, gardens, guest rooms, laundry, and also may contain a workshop, library, exercise room, media room, art/crafts studio and other facilities.
4. Resident management.
Residents will manage Washington Commons, and also perform much of the work required to maintain the property. They 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 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.
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.