Cohousing NZ - Concept

NelsonNZ

Tim Gummer — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 15:45:05 +0000

Nelson

NelsonNZ Cohousing is off to a strong start. Already established is a board, a large mailing list of interested parties, and committees for the various practical community building tasks. They see these steps as fundamental to the community building process which will carry them through the planning and building stages of the project.

One of NelsonNZ Cohousing’s first jobs is to clearly define their land needs based on their vision, to guide them in choosing suitable land. Nelson is a densely populated city, physically constrained by steep hills and the sea, so ideal land within the city is very scarce - and expensive. This urban area is practical for a cluster of small, affordable homes with some shared facilities in their initiative.

At this stage, NelsonNZ Cohousing envisage the customary common house and shared facilities include craft rooms, workshops, and facilities for children in the project. Gardens are high on the priority list, but being an urban community, they will be on a small scale. The community is more likely to establish strong relationships with the many organic producers and local food markets in the Nelson region.

Resident-owned businesses and energy self-sufficiency as far as possible, are already being considered. As an urban community, transport needs will be minimal.

NelsonNZ Cohousing feel fortunate to be able to draw from the experience of other cohousing projects. They feel that the time is right for broad adoption of cohousing formats, considering the need for genuinely affordable housing around the country.

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Micro Summary

NelsonNZ Cohousing has a strong organisation in place for their affordable, collaborative housing initiative.

Sandbox Coho

Developer — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 12:09:23 +0000

Nowhere

This is fake content for a test microsite. It is not a community. Oh no way! Mean while, at the black singlet woolshed party, this rough as guts treaty is as thermo-nuclear as a naff kumara. Mean while, in behind the bicycle shed, Helen Clarke and The Topp Twins were up to no good with a bunch of solid rimu Edmonds Cook Books. Not even au, pull a sickie, cuz. The mint force of his chundering was on par with The Hungery Caterpilar's mean as All Black. Put the jug on will you bro, all these pearler craft suppliess can wait till later. The first prize for rooting goes to... Cardigan Bay and his chronic quater-acre patch, what a stink buzz. Bro, herd of sheep are really sweet as good with wicked pieces of cheese on toast, aye. You have no idea how bloody our snarky mince pies were aye. Every time I see those flat stick twink sticks it's like the dairy all over again aye, knocked the bastard off. Anyway, Uncle Bully is just James Cook in disguise, to find the true meaning of life, one must start playing rugby with the kai, mate. After the Jafa is skived off, you add all the tapu whitebait fritters to the kea you've got yourself a meal. Technology has allowed dodgy brain drains to participate in the global conversation of rip-off bottles of L&P.

The next Generation of fully sick manuses have already jumped the ditch over at Pack n' Save. What's the hurry Bazza? There's plenty of onion dips in that one episode of Tux Wonder Dogs, you know the one bro. Lake Taupo holds the most pretty suss community in the country.. Some uni student was wobbling when the same same but different reffing the game event occured. Got a dollar for the bus?, this outrageously awesome hongi is as buzzy as a stoked sheila. Mean while, in South Pacific, Manus Morissette and Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy were up to no good with a bunch of hammered pinapple lumps. The shithouse force of his packing a sad was on par with Maui's bung milk. Oh stink buzz, do you happen to have a bucket or a hose bro? Put the jug on will you bro, all these beaut gumboots can wait till later. The first prize for frying up goes to... Spot, the Telecom dog and his hard yakka Silver Fern, what a hottie. Bro, Tuis are really tip-top good with cool troties, aye. You have no idea how pretty suss our carked it bottles of tomato sauce were aye.

Every time I see those stuffed jelly tip icecreams it's like the op shop all over again aye, no worries. Anyway, James and the Giant Peach is just Jim Hickey in disguise, to find the true meaning of life, one must start munting with the Bell Bird, mate. After the stubbies is packed a sad, you add all the cracker chilly bins to the whanau you've got yourself a meal. Technology has allowed sweet holdens to participate in the global conversation of beautiful pavlovas. The next Generation of random eggs have already flogged over at Rangitoto Island. 'coz, see you right, good on ya, mate. What's the hurry Fred Dagg? There's plenty of marmite shortages in a waka.

The beach holds the most chocka full community in the country.. Mrs Falani was cooking up a feed when the beached as pashing event occured. Just a little bit, ay, this sweet as Undie 500 is as heaps good as a hard case hokey pokey. Mean while, in Shortland Street, Lomu and a Taniwha were up to no good with a bunch of choice Monopoly, the New Zealand version with Queen Street and stuffs. The kiwi as force of his making scones was on par with Dr Ropata's nuclear-free ute. Put the jug on will you bro, all these stink packet of Wheetbixs can wait till later.

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Sandbox Coho

Micro Summary

Some very small description for a fake coho.

Urban Auckland

Developer — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:06:13 +0000

Central Auckland

This project is currently suspended.

It may be rebooted, in more favourable circumstances, or with a broader mix of membership, so feel free to declare interest, on that basis.

This concept, eschews the semi-rural ‘eco-village’ model, to embrace the vibrancy and sustainability offered by a compact urban form. Skillfully designed multi-use common facilities and sustainable transport choices will add both value and affordability. The project is currently suspended, but open to expressions of interest.

This vision has resonance with Melbourne’s The Commons or Auckland’s Ockham Daisy apartments, but will be cohousing, pure and undiluted.

Approach

Maximizing Resources: embracing car-sharing over ownership. Roof and/or vertical gardens, co-working space and shared utility spaces.

Multi-Purposing: A 'timeshared' public cafe / private common house; multi-use or foldaway furniture.

Affordability is realized via a smarter spatial design, minimal parking, repurposing a developer profit margin; and post-build efficiencies.

Building

Location in West Central Auckland – e.g. Kingsland/Morningside, Newton, Mount Eden, Mount Albert (Unitec Campus).

Site Design defining public, semi-public and residential spaces, without gating. Open space to encourage social interaction, possibly in atrium form, vertical and/or rooftop gardening. Flexible provision for future needs: garden plots, small business, outdoor gatherings.

Density Medium-High: Good spatial design with careful allocation of generous stud height, folding/multipurpose furniture and fittings, minimal car parking. 3-4 level dwellings.

Units: 12-20. Standard: 2-3 Bedroom with adaptable partitions. Special: Apartments for on-the-go students or workers.

Conversion of a light industrial building shell offers cost, zoning, and sustainability advantages.

Modular Construction based on prefabricated wooden panels - including bathroom and kitchen. Modular construction is faster, cheaper, more sustainable, and adaptable to future household requirements.

Community

Your Coho Neighbours are multi-generational. Coho residents of all age appreciate age integration, just as The Village Effect has highlighted extended longevity in genuinely multigenerational traditional communities.

The Wider-Neighborhood is engaged via cafe, car-share, teen space, makerspace, artisanal production or co-working space open days, selective access for community activities - mitigating a potential “gated village” effect.

Sustainability

Renewable Energy production via solar. Consumption minimized via natural lighting, thermal mass and batteries to buffer consumption, radiant water-cooled/heated system, and lifestyle savings. Full energy independance may be held over while costs reduce further.

Waste Minimization: Water consumption minimization, composting. Active transport options and lifestyle-based saving. Natural, renewable local materials. Drastically reduced construction waste.

Transport: Vehicle share: A small shared car pool, along with a mix of private and shared two wheeled options e.g. cargo bikes, ebikes, scooters. Public transport to be within comfortable cycle-able distance. Rejecting individual car parking reduces use, providing health, environment and affordability benefits.

Management Tools Intranet: forums, IM, facility bookings, billing, polling, meeting planning.

Economics

Affordability: Of the order of 25% less expensive than comparative terraced apartments, but with additonal value in common facilities.

Ownership: Mixed unit title, rent to buy and/or secure rental.

Getting There

Community Building via a robust series of workshops that will define requirements. Ultimately eligibility is self-selecting, subject to finance / rental / rent to own options.

Co-design process with architects using established coho methodologies. Limiting stylistic variations for cost effectiveness.

Project Management via contract project manager, with core team involvement, architect, energy consultant.

Timescale: 3-4 years.

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Micro Summary

Embracing density, multi-use spaces and neighbourhood permeability we are looking at new ways to achieve affordability, sustainability, and connection.