Cohousing NZ - Suspended http://cohousing.org.nz/communities/status-7 en Urban Auckland http://cohousing.org.nz/communities/urban-auckland <div class="field-location"> Central Auckland </div> <img src="http://cohousing.org.nz/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_lg/public/images/urban-ak-coho-loftstack2cafe-rendered.jpg?itok=Bg5gSK84" width="750" height="464" alt="Concept for Urban Auckland Cohousing" title="Concept for Urban Auckland Cohousing" /> <article class="field-body"> <h4>This project is currently suspended.</h4> <p>It may be rebooted, in more favourable circumstances, or with a broader mix of membership, so feel free to declare interest, on that basis.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>This vision has resonance with <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/architects-and-investors-hope-to-revolutionise-apartment-living-in-melbourne-20150114-12o699.html">Melbourne’s The Commons</a> or Auckland’s <a href="http://www.ockham.co.nz/daisy/">Ockham Daisy</a> apartments, but will be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohousing"><em>cohousing</em></a>, pure and undiluted.</p> <h2>Approach</h2> <p><strong>Maximizing Resources</strong>: embracing car-sharing over ownership. Roof and/or vertical gardens, co-working space and shared utility spaces.</p> <p><strong>Multi-Purposing</strong>: A 'timeshared' public cafe / private common house; multi-use or foldaway furniture.</p> <p><strong>Affordability</strong> is realized via a smarter spatial design, minimal parking, repurposing a developer profit margin; and  post-build efficiencies.</p> <h2>Building</h2> <p><strong>Location</strong> in West Central Auckland – e.g.  Kingsland/Morningside, Newton, Mount Eden, Mount Albert (Unitec Campus).</p> <p><strong>Site Design</strong> 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.</p> <p><strong>Density</strong> Medium-High: Good spatial design with careful allocation of generous stud height, folding/multipurpose furniture and fittings, minimal car parking. 3-4 level dwellings.</p> <p><strong>Units</strong>: 12-20.  Standard: 2-3 Bedroom with adaptable partitions. Special: Apartments for on-the-go students or workers.</p> <p><strong>Conversion</strong> of a light industrial building shell offers cost, zoning, and sustainability advantages.</p> <p><strong>Modular Construction</strong> based on prefabricated wooden panels  - including bathroom and kitchen. Modular construction is faster, cheaper, more sustainable, and adaptable to future household requirements.</p> <h2>Community</h2> <p><strong>Your Coho Neighbours</strong> 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.</p> <p><strong>The Wider-Neighborhood</strong> 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.</p> <h2>Sustainability</h2> <p><strong>Renewable Energy</strong> 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.</p> <p><strong>Waste Minimization</strong>: Water consumption minimization, composting. Active transport options and lifestyle-based saving. Natural, renewable local materials. Drastically reduced construction waste.</p> <p><strong>Transport</strong>: 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.</p> <p><strong>Management Tools</strong> Intranet: forums, IM, facility bookings, billing, polling, meeting planning.</p> <h2>Economics</h2> <p><strong>Affordability</strong>: Of the order of 25% less expensive than comparative terraced apartments, but with additonal value in common facilities.</p> <p><strong>Ownership</strong>: Mixed unit title, rent to buy and/or secure rental.</p> <h2>Getting There</h2> <p><strong>Community Building</strong> via a robust series of workshops that will define requirements. Ultimately eligibility is self-selecting, subject to finance / rental / rent to own options.</p> <p><strong>Co-design process</strong> with architects using established coho methodologies. Limiting stylistic variations for cost effectiveness.</p> <p><strong>Project Management</strong> via contract project manager, with core team involvement, architect, energy consultant.</p> <p><strong>Timescale</strong>: 3-4 years<strong>.</strong></p> </article> <div class="field-taxonomy-vocabulary-15"> <a href="/communities/status-6">Concept</a> </div> <div class="field-taxonomy-vocabulary-15"> <a href="/communities/status">Expression of Interest</a> </div> <div class="field-taxonomy-vocabulary-15"> <a href="/communities/status-7">Suspended</a> </div> <div class="field-taxonomy-vocabulary-9"> <a href="/availability">Open to New Members</a> </div> <h3 class="field-label"> Group </h3> <div class="field-group-group"> <a href="/user/login?destination=group/node/793/subscribe/og_user_node">Request group membership</a> </div> <h3 class="field-label"> Micro Summary </h3> Embracing density, multi-use spaces and neighbourhood permeability we are looking at new ways to achieve affordability, sustainability, and connection. Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:06:13 +0000 Developer 793 at http://cohousing.org.nz http://cohousing.org.nz/communities/urban-auckland#comments