Cohousing started in Denmark in the early seventies and since then nearly 200 projects have been completed in Denmark. More than 20 have been built in North America since 1991 and hundreds of groups are meeting regularly around the world, including Australia, to make their projects happen.

The Cohousing movement offers a great model for the residential aspects of eco-village design, where the community is actively involved in the design and development of their living environment.

Cohousing projects typically involve both private residences and common spaces. The residences could be clustered detached dwellings, groups of attached residences or a single building providing for an inter-generational mix of family groupings – young families, single parents, as well as retired couples and singles. The shared common spaces provide a range of facilities such as meeting spaces, communal kitchen and dining hall, laundry facilities, and also perhaps music rooms, play rooms, workshops, office space or guest rooms and communal space. There could also be provision for shared outdoor community space for recreation, food production and so on.

The ideal size is around 18 to 25 families – enough to permit active social interaction, to share common spaces, to know others living there, and to all be involved in participatory management.

RECOMMENDED DESIGN CRITERIA FOR COHOUSING (McCamant and Durrett)

• Design to encourage social interaction amongst residents
• Cluster cohousing communities to permit pooling of resources
• Cluster individual housing units
• Locate the common house where it is central and convenient
• Design the common house to promote interaction and communication
• Design transitional spaces between private and public domains
• Include safe places for children
• Provide direct access to outdoors & a private garden for each household unit
• Include a variety of sizes of private units
• Make the private dwelling relatively small
• Limit car access
• Provide opportunities for people to work at home part or full time.

New NZ Cohousing Project

Beachcomber Community is being established at the existing Beachcomber site in South Brighton, Christchurch, NZ. This is an ex-motel, owned for the last ten years by the Housing for Women Trust. At present it is used as rental housing.

Each family/group will have their own unit with garden, surrounding which will be common grounds and shared meeting spaces, including a large kitchen and dining area. Residents will have both privacy and the opportunity to participate in a larger "family".

Philosophy
Those people choosing to live at the Beachcomber will be connected through philosophies of co-operative living. These guiding principles will be reflected in the constitution. We have a commitment to respecting both the individual and the wider group, and to create models of consensus and conflict resolution. The success of the Beachcomber is dependent upon people within the community establishing healthy associations, thus ensuring a secure future. We intend to foster a respect for the environment by living in ways that reduce consumption and waste.

Enhancing the Property
The main buildings: eight units, spa, shared laundry, permanent swimming pool and relocated classroom are largely 1970’s concrete block style. The surrounding land consists of large areas of asphalt and wild grass. This, along with the run down appearance of the buildings, gives the property a barren, desolate look.

There will be very high priority given to improve the comfort and attractiveness of the property. Extensive landscaping is planned, including redeveloping the central driveway area with removal of most of the asphalt. This will be replaced by walking paths and vehicle access, patios, water features and native planting.

Design will be in keeping with the natural environment of sea, beach, estuary and forest close by. Cars will be confined to the front of the property with carports erected for this purpose. At the rear of the property the organic garden will be expanded to provide vegetables and fruit in abundance. Intended also is the further development of the children’s play area.

Remodelling of the units is urgently required. Care will be given to developing north facing aspects, at present lacking, resulting in cold and dampness. An architect will be employed to draw up plans that focus on increasing light and warmth and privacy. Insulation, skylights, soundproofing, and extensions will be used where possible. We intend to use environmentally friendly materials to create attractive homes which are in harmony with their surroundings.

Legal Structure
The legal structure of the community is being developed at present, with many models being considered. Decisions will be made soon.

Valuable Support
Those of us who have already gathered to form the Beachcomber Intentional Community greatly appreciate the support given to us by the Housing for Women Trust, and Peterborough Community. Both these organizations have made solid commitments to supporting us financially. Without this valuable support this venture would not be able to be undertaken.

Finance and Support
At present we are looking for a loan of approximately $50,000. We have been crunching figures for a few months now and believe we can offer any creditor a solid and reliable repayment scheme. We are open to any offers and suggestions. We have had assistance already from older, more established communities, who remember what a daunting yet exciting task it is to create something different.

Conclusion
With commitment to our vision plus the support of the wider community we are confident that this proposal will come to fruition, providing beautiful, nurturing homes, and creating patterns of living that focus on reducing the stress of modern lifestyles.

If you would like more information or simply to get in touch, that would be great. It is always a treat to contact other like-minded people, wherever you are in the world.

Briar Cook, Beachcomber Community,
1/13 Bridge St, Christchurch 8007, New Zealand

Ph: (03) 388-5779

E-mail: beachcomber@caverock.net.nz