Is Capitol Hill ready for Cohousing?

This Sunday, October 18th Grace Kim of Capitol Hill's own Schemata Workshop will be hosting an event called, "Curious About Cohousing" at SU's new A&A building . The event is aimed at familiarizing people with cohousing and determining if their is sufficient interest for a cohousing community in or around Capitol Hill. For many people, including myself, the idea of cohousing conjures up images of free frolicking individuals milking cows and hosting drum circles under the full moon. But in reality, cohousing is a healthy alternative to standard home ownership and can be great way to have more control of your living situation.

According to the Cohousing Association of the US, the most defining characteristic of cohousing is that residents are, "consciously committed to living as a community" . Of course, this does not mean that individuals only get a small closet for privacy; many cohousing communities are made up of full single family homes or townhouses with all the private amenities one could need. But there is always an emphasis on community. There is always a set of shared spaces where residents can come together for meals, parties, movies, games, etc. Oftentimes these shared amenities might be things that are expensive in a private residence, for example, a large workshop, exercise room, crafts area, or even just guest rooms for visitors.

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Cohousing in Denmark (photo courtesy of Schemata)

Another important aspect of cohousing is the participatory design process. Instead of a developer constructing a structure for residents and then selling it off, cohousing communities are heavily involved in the planning and design process, making sure that it fits their needs and wants.

Daybreak community in Portland, design by Schemata (photo courtesy of Grace Kim)

Sunday's event is an opportunity for Schemata Workshop to bring their nationally-recognized expertise to their own neighborhood. According to Firm principal Grace Kim, Schemata Workshop is one of only a dozen firms in the country who are known for cohousing. Schemata recently helped the Daybreak community in Portland design their new cohousing complex, which officially opened this month. Kim, herself is a board member of the Cohousing Association of the United States and was the chairperson for the 2009 Cohousing Conference in Seattle in June.  This year Schemata will recieve the Mayor's small business award for fostering communities that "emphasize a holistic view of social, ecological and economic sustainability" .

So if you have been thinking about mixing up your living situation, this is your chance to learn the benefits and challenges of creating a cohousing community. And if you're happy where you are, then consider coming out to Sunday's event simply to learn about the different cohousing communities throughout the US and beyond.

Curious About Cohousing?

Date: Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Time: 2:00 - 4:00pm

Location: SU Alumni and Admissions Building (12th and Marion)

Register at http://cohousing.eventbrite.com/