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The mission of the AIA Design for Aging (DFA) Knowledge Community is to foster design innovation and disseminate knowledge necessary to enhance the built environment and quality of life for an aging society. This includes relevant research on characteristics, planning and costs associated with innovative design for aging. In addition, DFA provides outcome data on the value of these design solutions and environments. 

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Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

Charles R. Durrett AIA Member Emeritus

Charles R. Durrett AIA Member Emeritus02-21-2023 08:01 PM

Charles R. Durrett AIA Member Emeritus

Charles R. Durrett AIA Member Emeritus03-10-2023 08:01 PM

Charles R. Durrett AIA Member Emeritus

Charles R. Durrett AIA Member Emeritus03-23-2023 08:02 PM

  • 1.  Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 05-13-2016 08:17 PM

    “For our next issue of Blueprints for Senior Living, we are seeking member content on the topic of Universal Design. Articles could feature buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to older people, people without disabilities, and people with disabilities. The deadline for article submission is June 8, 2016. Please send the title of your proposed article and a short paragraph describing its contents to DFA@aia.org by June 8, 2016. We ask that articles be original submissions and 200-800 words in length. You are also highly encouraged to include pictures if they are available.”

    ------------------------------
    Sarah Colven
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 05-16-2016 05:30 PM
    The subject as presented is wonderful....except....how many of you have checked the "plans for houses" being offered in many news papers, especially on Sunday, which are absolutely "anti access".  In our paper, "Kalamazoo Gazette", every Sunday they offer floor plans and pictures of "wonderful plans for houses" and I have yet to see one which does not have steps up to the front door (if it has a basement), or one which does not have a gigantic Master Bedroom Bath with the water closet in a small "closet".   ie none of them are accessible for the occpants, visitable by anyone with motor disabilities, or are in any way "universal design".

    I am not sure to whom I am responding, but would like to know and, perhaps, get some sort of conversation about this going. 

    Currently, I am dealing with "service issues" for families who have someone who will never be "independent".  In these cases, it is the care giver who needs help.....another topic.

    Richard Baker AIAE






  • 3.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 05-18-2016 08:57 AM
    Richard, your point is spot on. I speak with residential architects and builders all of the time and they often don't understand the issue, and don't know where to start. I speak with communities that are losing their older residents because they can not live in their older homes but there are no options in the community for aging in place. The housing stock in the country does not allow for ease of visitability/accessibility and is not safe for many older adults. I will be moving into my "forever home" next month; accessible, visitable, wide doorways, zero steps at all exterior doors, bathrooms big enough for use by all, etc. No one will ever see these features as unusual because they look right. 

    --
    Douglas J. Gallow Jr., AIA, NCARB

    Lifespan Design Studio, LLC
    10678 Bettyray Drive
    Loveland, Ohio 45140
    (513) 239-8529





  • 4.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 05-20-2016 08:31 AM

    Richard-

    I too agree with your comments-- and would suggest going to the paper and talking with them about doing a special feature about houses built to UD standards-- I think a lot of the ignorance comes from our societal perspective that young and healthy is good, and anything else is therefore "not good".  But those of us who know and understand UD recognize that it is good for everyone -- the mom with a sleeping child in a stroller who doesn't have to wake her up to take her into the house; the muddy dog who can get cleaned off in the shower with a hand-held shower wand, and the friend with a broken leg who doesn't have to struggle to get up the steps to visit you. Good Grips products are now sufficiently popular that people no longer thing of them as being "accessible" - so most people who buy them don't even realize that they are.    Once you start explaining the benefits of UD principles to people, they get this great Ah-Ha moment. 

    The other group we need to tackle is the housing industry--if we can get home builders to see the benefits, and talk to their potential clients about it, not using the language of disability, but using the language of UD, that these design principles make it easier for EVERYONE, we might begin to see greater adoption of UD.

    ------------------------------
    Margaret Calkins Assoc. AIA
    Kent State University
    Kirtland OH



  • 5.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 05-20-2016 07:48 PM

    The term, "Universal Design" is a misnomer, in that the design is simply not universal. A few examples would be the lack of ablution hoses and eastern water closets, woks in the kitchen, kitchen cabinets designed for the 4'-0" tall person, as well as the 7'-0" tall person, and doors designed for 7'-0" tall people. Also not included are braille readouts for appliances and other operable devices. No doors are designed for passage for a hospital type bed. The list goes on and on.

     

    When using the term Universal, it must include everything, else use some other term, such as "Not Quite Universal".

     

     

     

    Regards,

     

    Chuck Graham

     






  • 6.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 05-23-2016 07:16 PM
    In response to Charles Graham's posting, I agree that "Universal Design" isn't quite "Universal".  Perhaps "Socially Sustainable Design" is a better term.  I've heard that used a lot as well.  There is no way that Universal Design can account for 100% of the population's needs, but it can certainly raise the level of accommodation from say 75% of the population to 95-99% of the population.  That would be a tremendous help regardless of the term/name.

    Regarding the short supply of good examples of house design, I highly recommend that architects and builders (who 'get' the intent and sprit of Universal Design or Socially Sustainable Design) lead by example.  We should promote our projects that combine good functionality, accessibility and aesthetics.  I believe that there is a growing appetite out there in the media and among consumers for better examples of housing.  Let's start providing better options and get as much press exposure as possible for them.  If we show how to do it, other people will start to get it and do it too.


    Emory Baldwin, AIA

    FabCab | Principal Architect
    ebaldwin@fabcab.com | 
    206.275.2345 (office) | 206.910.1990 (cell)
    www.fabcab.com





  • 7.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 01-18-2019 07:59 AM

    Older houses are great examples of literally cradle to grave design. Such houses had no shortage of appropriately designed openings and rooms designed for nurseries, as well as the last sleeping room. The front doors are even wide enough to allow a coffin with pall bearers to exit. Some of them do have stairs, but that was in a day with precious few wheelchairs, but plenty of family members to assist.

     

     

     

    Regards,

     

    Chuck Graham

     






  • 8.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 01-29-2019 11:55 AM

    Love this conversation (even if it looks like a rather old thread). Also, I love the idea to call Universal Design "Social Sustainability Design". While one can argue that we can, with good design, create welcoming homes that have everything, for everybody, but honestly, there are design dilemmas that cannot treat everyone equally. We can try, and come close, but you really cannot.  I think, however, that Universal is more about thinking WHEN designing, for all, not just for the occupants of the moment. 
    Anyway, I just wanted to add my two cents in here. Also, to add that in designing for aging is up to us, ultimately, to change younger people's mindset (and by that anyone who is younger than the occupants.)
    Meaning, no one wants to redo a house to have grab bars that look like granny lives there (Thus the nickname: Granny bars), or stair chairs, to make it look old, and the thinking continues, the property value goes down. Never understood this theory but I understand where it comes from. Those grab bars in the <g class="gr_ gr_1161 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="1161" data-gr-id="1161">80's</g> were institutional and UGLY! I now even #hotgrabbars when I see good looking grab bar designs. Not too often, but it does happen.

    All great points!
    Thanks for listening!



    ------------------------------
    Janet Roche, MDS, CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist)
    Janet Roche Designs, LLC
    Real Design Solutions for the Human Condition
    www.plansbyjanet.com
    617-755-7237
    Allied ASID, Affiliate EDAC
    *** Come see me speak at MAD*POW's HXD in Boston on April 2-3, 2019 and at NEOCON, Chicago, June 12, 2019, both on Aging and the Environment ****
    Adjunct Instructor at The Boston Architectural College
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 01-31-2019 01:29 PM
    Janet, your point of younger adults need to see the value in universal design is something that we are starting to see. In talking to Millennials have grown up seeing their grand parents and parents age, and have observed how the quality of life can decline in the 60s and beyond. Millennials who I have spoken with also equate universal design with things like zero step entrances that make rolling a stroller through a door a much easier task. They seem to be making the connection to u.d. and better quality of life and ease of accomplishing a task. If younger adults can embrace the benefits of u.d. and good design, the stigma of planning for the future may go away.

    ------------------------------
    Douglas Gallow AIA
    Lifespan Design Studio
    Loveland OH
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 02-04-2019 11:49 AM
    It would be worth your while to take a look at what the Living in Place Institute is doing with respect to U.D. Their very thorough treatment of the subject includes the input of a PHD in Occupational Therapy. Their focus is on encouraging renovation and design for the aging.
    --





  • 11.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 02-06-2019 10:21 AM
    Adding to the conversation - please look at the efforts being made on behalf of
    HomesRenewed Resource Center and HomesRenewed Coaltion.  Add your
    support to incentivize the changes necessary to successfully age in place!
     
     
    Ingrid L. Fraley
    Design Services, Inc.
    337 Main Street
    Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
    301 590 9030





  • 12.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 02-04-2019 11:50 AM
    Douglas,

    That is what I am seeing too. And even friends, who are starting to understand what I am doing, (and, perhaps, you are too) and are starting to think about what that means. Good to know! Thanks for responding. 

    Janet Roche, MDS, CAPS
    Janet Roche Designs, LLC
    Real Design Solutions for the Human Condition
    617-755-7237
    Allied ASID, Affiliate EDAC
    *** Come see me speak at MAD*POW's HXD in Boston on April 2-3, 2019 and at NEOCON, Chicago, June 12, 2019, both on Aging and the Environment ****
    Adjunct Instructor at The Boston Architectural College






  • 13.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 02-06-2019 10:20 AM
    Douglas is right - Universal Design is simply "good design" and needs to be understood and promoted as such. Unfortunately UD is seen, by the public as well as as by our profession, as simply wheelchair-accessibility, re-framed to reduce the stigma. And also to address the confusion regarding what standards apply (Fair Housing, ADA, codes). The various terminologies under discussion (Better Living Design, Age-Friendly Design, etc) are both useful and obfuscating.

    Architects need to hone their programming skills to be fluent in UD. To quote Steve Jobs, "design is how it works, not just how it looks." Industry publications, blogs, and tv shows that focus on trends (like color palettes, waterfall counters, wood species) are just distractions from the real work of understanding all the nuances of how our buildings need to serve their users. We've got to stop being defensive about UD and embrace the challenge of designing places that work for everyone!






    --
    Deborah Pierce, AIA, CAPS, Principal
    Pierce Lamb
    Architects
    1075 Washington Street
    West Newton, MA 02465
    C: 617.548.6161
    T: 617.964.1311
    http://www.piercelambarchitects.com/






  • 14.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 02-08-2019 12:36 PM
    Apparently, there is a gross misunderstanding of the term, "universal". "Universal" means the inclusion or exclusion of everything under all circumstances. This is clearly not the intent of this subject matter. To be universal, a home would include both eastern and western water closets; tubs, showers, and walk-in tubs, counter tops of varying heights, structures strong enough to support people of the greatest weight, outfitted with appliances with labels readable by the blind, and on and on. While this project is of noble aspirations, don't belittle it with improper use of terms. There are other terms more suitable that are already in use by more conscientious people, such as "Cradle to Grave" and "Aging in Place": Either term is far truer to purpose than "universal."

    Thanks.

    ------------------------------
    C
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 01-31-2019 01:30 PM

    Dear Mr. Graham,

     

    In response to your comment on Blueprints for Senior Living, nice stretch. I've designed close to a thousand houses with the future senior residents. They never ask for houses that are like old houses. There is not enough storage, they are too cold, they have bad acoustics, bad light, high maintenance, bathroom doors too narrow, bathrooms too small, and so on.

     

    I'm happy to help you with a story on the real future of senior housing, one that is supportive and feels like a small village of old, but with state-of-the-art design, built to age in place. Please read The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living and then give me a call at 916-716-6721.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Chuck


    Charles R. Durrett
    Principal Architect

    McCamant & Durrett Architects
    The Cohousing Company
    241-B Commercial Street
    Nevada City, CA 95959
    530-265-9980 office
    916-716-6721 cell phone










  • 16.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 02-07-2019 05:23 PM
    Gunner, OTs are not designers. They can be helpful and would use them on my team, but they are not designers that can look in the totality of an environment. My specialty is to look at the total wellness of the environment, I investigate the biology, psychology, and sociology of the space and design accordingly. I cannot stress enough that OTs (even those with PhDs) are not trained to (re)design a home. Show me an OT with a MArch., then we can discuss. 

    Chuck, I think the conversation was, in all likelihood, Victorian-era design examples. They liked to show off their dead. LOL This era they designed to have large windows, large door openings, high ceilings, etc.. That said, yes, it was not always ideal (small closets spring to mind). However, as a designer for aging in place, Victorian-era like homes are the most ideal for the above examples as the reason and can be redesigned with relatively no fuss. A colonial home, for example, is not ideal. 
    But as a designer, we should be able to create solutions and not have people move, whenever possible. And, there is a growing trend of "designer" nursing homes that have an old fashion feel. It can be what they remember and be comforting to them to have that familiarity around them. One can design an older looking home with modern amenities. I think it is a mistake to simply suggest that they don't want that type of look. Agreeing with you, my father, for example, likes the mid-century modern design. So not everyone likes "older' home looks just from a purely aesthetic point.  I kind of think he is a bit of an anomaly, but I digress. 
    My mom, on the other hand, loved Victorian (thus the knowledge in this area). Dad didn't stand a chance until mom went into the nursing home. No more dark wood loin legged marble-topped tables. Everything is cool woods, san-decorated straight legs, and white. Very, very white.

    I look forward to reading your book. 

    Janet Roche, MDS, CAPS
    Janet Roche Designs, LLC
    Real Design Solutions for the Human Condition
    617-755-7237
    Allied ASID, Affiliate EDAC
    *** Come see me speak at MAD*POW's HXD in Boston on April 2-3, 2019 and at NEOCON, Chicago, June 12, 2019, both on Aging and the Environment ****
    Adjunct Instructor at The Boston Architectural College






  • 17.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 02-21-2023 08:01 PM
    You don't want to miss this.

    The Cohousing Company

    Upcoming Public Presentation in Ramona, East Vancouver Events Recap, & Other Important Updates

    A Snowy Day at Nevada City Cohousing

    Ramona, CA Public Presentation

    March 16th, 2023 6PM at Ramona Community Center

    "At Elliott Pond, you’ll see a lot of people. Our town square, with its restaurants and events, will be Ramona’s social center. It will also make Ramona a place to go to, not just go through."


    Please spread the word to anyone you know (your email list) who might be interested in joining a new community in Ramona, CA, or just wanting to know more about cohousing.


    Location: Ramona Community Center

    434 Aqua Ln

    Ramona, CA 92065


    Date & Time: March 16th, 2023 @ 6:00 PM


    For more information, please email jim@redleafvillage.com or visit https://elliott-pond.com/


    We look forward to seeing you there!

    Other Updates in Cohousing: Table of Contents

    February 2023

    • SB 9, ADUs, Affordable Housing, and Community

    

    • East Vancouver Cohousing Getting-It-Built Workshop


    • Antioch Continuing Education Class in 2023 DATE CORRECTIONS


    • Home Available in Nevada City Cohousing

    SB 9, ADUs, Affordable Housing, & Community

    An Opportunity for Creating Community within Single-Family Fabric

    Sixty-nine percent of housing in America is single-family housing—the epitome of separating people.


    The new Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) in California encourages infill and more affordable housing development. This will result in a more walkable towns—making places close to each other and allowing commerce to prosper and community to flourish. SB 9 reintroduces a more historical type of land use where people fit into affordable housing—literally stitching it right back into the fabric of the town.


    Nevada City, the town I live in, had 10,000-16,000 residents in 1900, according to historical records. And it was one square mile then. Now, it’s two square miles, and right at 3,000 residents. The town once had a hardware store, 2 drug stores, a grocery store, but now it has none of that. Single family housing took over, leaving the city underpopulated and unaffordable. Supply & demand is real.

    Now, thanks to SB 9, things can start to shift back. Imagine in this elegant little neighborhood you add a common house and clustered parking, and soon you’re well on your way to a high-functioning neighborhood. SB 9 allows owners to subdivide their lots into 2 lots. Then it allows each lot to add on an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), sometimes known as a granny flat or a mother-in-law unit.


    These additional units will do a great deal for the neighborhood.


    First of all, the kids who grew up in this town might be able to afford to move back to town. The housekeeper that I used to have would like to live in the town that she grew up in, Nevada City, instead of Roseville, which is 50 miles away. Almost all of our service workers, baristas, restaurant workers, and more, currently drive from considerable distances to work in town. So infill will also mitigate the ridiculous traffic into our town every morning, and lessen global warming.

    Some of the towns around San Diego have the same problem, so we are proposing a cohousing community in Ramona, San Diego County, that not only provides entry level housing there, but will also ultimately helps revitalize that charming town, both economically and culturally, as young people who work in the town will be able to afford to live and stay in the town.

    

    I suspect that Nevada City will never have a population of 10,000 people again, but it might get to 3,500 someday which would be a step in the right direction when it comes to people having an affordable place to stay in our town and other suburban towns like Ramona, and many more.

    East Vancouver Cohousing

    Getting-It-Built Workshop & Public Presentation Recap

    East Vancouver Cohousing's Kick Off Weekend was a big success!


    Following the initial public presentation and task force meeting, they organized a Getting It Built Workshop with The Cohousing Company to lay out a clear set of steps that they need to pursue to get their new cohousing community built. This workshop took place over the weekend of February 11–12, and we are happy to report that it was a big success!

    We have 19 households attend the Getting It Built Workshop on Feb 11 and 12, where 16 have committed to proceeding to the next stage. These participants volunteered for various committees to advance the project: legal & finance, marketing, child care, membership & marketing.

     

    We are in the final stages of negotiating a location for East Van Cohousing, and if this deal goes through, we plan to complete construction for move in 2026/2027.


    The next step for East Van Cohousing is a Site Design Workshop on March 25 and 26, and a Common House Workshop on April 15 and 16.

    For more information, check out their website at: https://eastvancohousing.ca/

    Antioch Continuing Education Classes 2023

    DATE CORRECTIONS

    Now open for registration

    How to Address Homelessness in Your Town

    Professional Development Certificate

    Wednesdays Apr. 5 - 26, 2023, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Pacific)


    In this 4-week course, Durrett will impart his decades of experience so that you understand the dynamics of addressing homelessness in your community. This course is for legislators, municipal employees, architects, planners, designers, urban volunteers, and all good citizens.


    Sign Up Here

    Available Home in Nevada City Cohousing

    Opportunity to live in Cohousing

    Looking out of my kitchen window, the first family that used to live in the house across my housing lane with 6 kids now has gone.


    I am looking for great new neighbors. A family with kids that would love to live in a great high-functioning cohousing community.


    If you are interested, please contact the sellers of the house:

    Mikos: 540-400-5263 or Ellen: 916-203-5819.


    To learn more about our cohousing community, please visit: https://www.nccoho.org/


    We offer periodic tours. If you would like to visit us in person please contact Colleen at (831) 535-2997.


    We prefer people who have been here and are familiar with cohousing.

             

    To be featured as our next “Meet a Cohouser,” just send us an email at charles.durrett@cohousingco.com


    See past newsletter issues @ cohousingco.com for previous profiles.


    Books by Charles Durrett

    Books have played a major role from the beginning in terms of getting cohousing to this country and built in your town, starting with our first book Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves (The European Story). Bookstores normally play a key role in culture change in general, and cohousing is no exception.

    

    Many groups have contacted the publisher (New Society Press and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) directly to get bulk discounts, and I find that successful projects get started when lots of folks do their homework. I usually need to give a dozen copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities, Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living and Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods away to planners, banks, neighbors, mayors, new residents, local architects, builders, and so on—to give them context. It saves the group thousands and thousands of hours, dollars, and delays.


    Cohousing is more than a sound bite; it is cultural pivot, and it takes folks doing some fun research first. Seattle and the surrounding areas have about a dozen cohousing communities largely because the bookstores in town have sold more than 1,000 copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities and the San Francisco area has over 20 cohousing communities because the book have sold more than 2,000 copies.

    Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods

    A Solution to Homelessness in Your Town

    Also available HERE


    Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities

    with Kathryn McCamant

    Revitalizing Our Small Towns

    Cohousing's role in positively effecting waning small towns.


    The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living

    Also available in Spanish

    State-Of-The-Art Cohousing: Lessons Learned from Quimper Village

    with Alexandria Levitt


    Happily Ever Aftering in Cohousing: A Handbook for Community Living

    Finding A Site: Cohousing From the Ground Up

    Growing Community: How to Find New Cohousing Members

    The Cohousing Company Website

       





  • 18.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 03-10-2023 08:01 PM
    You don't want to miss this.

    The Cohousing Company

    Upcoming Public Presentation in Ramona, Neurological Diversity in Cohousing, & Other Important Updates

    No Power – No Problem.

    That just means a perfect ski day with the neighbors here at Nevada City Cohousing

    Ramona, CA Public Presentation

    March 16th, 2023 6PM at Ramona Community Center

    "At Elliott Pond, you’ll see a lot of people. Our town square, with its restaurants and events, will be Ramona’s social center. It will also make Ramona a place to go to, not just go through."


    Please spread the word to anyone you know (your email list) who might be interested in joining a new community in Ramona, CA, or just wanting to know more about cohousing.


    Location: Ramona Community Center

    434 Aqua Ln

    Ramona, CA 92065


    Date & Time: March 16th, 2023 @ 6:00 PM


    For more information, please email jim@redleafvillage.com or visit https://elliott-pond.com/


    We look forward to seeing you there!

    Other Updates in Cohousing: Table of Contents

    March 2023

    • Neurological Diversity in Cohousing

    

    • Ground Source Heat Pumps in Stillwater Cohousing


    • Antioch Continuing Education Class in 2023 DATE CORRECTIONS


    • Poland Update #9

    Neurological Diversity in Cohousing

    Lessons Learned from Solheimar EcoVillage

    Cohousing has got so much going for it...


    However, on the outside it might look like it has one shortcoming ­– that is dealing with neurological diversity. For the most part, cohousing appears to be chock-full of the ultra-responsible’s in society, people who want to get the most value out of life, I sometimes feel guilty because I feel as if, with a few exceptions, we took the coolest people in the county and put them in one neighborhood. The people who know how or want to learn how to cooperate, share, give, take, grow, and live lighter on the earth, all the while being happier. I feel like we made a cool people hub.


    So, when someone comes around who was picked on throughout their youth because of a glitch, not the most well-adjusted, for one reason or another, they can sometimes feel invisible, prejudiced against, and on occasion express aberrate behavior.

    But what encourages me the most about cohousing, and Solheimar Ecovillage specifically, is their deliberate attempts to address neurological diversity, physical disability, classism, racism, sustainability and more.


    The neighborhood level is just one place to address these issues, but it works well, especially in influencing children about tolerance, empathy, and developing healthy social connections with others.

    Something just happens in cohousing....


    People have one opportunity after another to learn something or more likely a whole bunch of things that they would have learned earlier if they had extraordinary parents or grew up in a supportive village. They become a little happier, and they prosper.


    Over and over again, folks who had rough lives because of their neurodivergence and look at their shoes when they first move in, then just a few months later look you in the eye, smile, converse, tell stories, make dinner for everyone and all the rest.

    The project above, Soleheimar Ecovillage, which currently has an approximate population of 100 people, many of whom deal with learning difficulties.


    Now powered with thermal and solar energy, the village is fully sustainable, boasting a greenhouses, an arboretum, egg-laying facilities and forestry programmes.


    Here’s to putting the pieces together, and here’s to making a more viable society.

    Oakcreek Community Sustainability

    Ground Source Heat Pump as the future

    The future is ground source heat pumps.


    When the ground is circa 55° F, there is a great deal of heat that can be extracted from it.


    In Stillwater, OK, we built 24 houses using ground sourced heat. It has saved the residents thousands and thousands of dollars over the last 10 years ($100 per house per month x 12 months x 24 houses = about $28,800 per year of savings)


    This heat system works best in cohousing, because people know how to cooperate. In other words, not every house has to be metered to be cheaper and make sure that everyone saves plenty. This is a typical scenario in cohousing.

    For more info, check out their website at: https://www.oakcreekstillwater.com/

    Antioch Continuing Education Classes 2023

    DATE CORRECTIONS

    Now open for registration

    How to Address Homelessness in Your Town

    Professional Development Certificate

    Wednesdays Apr. 5 - 26, 2023, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Pacific)


    In this 4-week course, Durrett will impart his decades of experience so that you understand the dynamics of addressing homelessness in your community. This course is for legislators, municipal employees, architects, planners, designers, urban volunteers, and all good citizens.


    Sign Up Here

    Poland Update #9

    Last Set of Photos from the border

    The last photos from the front.


    Ukrainian kids, some orphans, getting a little bit of the love right across the border in Poland. The forth and last classroom in three different buildings.


    I cleaned out the bank account today at Chase there was ten dollars and 94 cents left.


    My month in Poland was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. But as you can see looking at these kids, how absolutely gratifying it was and is. Thanks for all of your support


    Please visit our website to see more photos of this classroom HERE


    Love, Chuck

             

    To be featured as our next “Meet a Cohouser,” just send us an email at charles.durrett@cohousingco.com


    See past newsletter issues @ cohousingco.com for previous profiles.


    Books by Charles Durrett

    Books have played a major role from the beginning in terms of getting cohousing to this country and built in your town, starting with our first book Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves (The European Story). Bookstores normally play a key role in culture change in general, and cohousing is no exception.

    

    Many groups have contacted the publisher (New Society Press and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) directly to get bulk discounts, and I find that successful projects get started when lots of folks do their homework. I usually need to give a dozen copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities, Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living and Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods away to planners, banks, neighbors, mayors, new residents, local architects, builders, and so on—to give them context. It saves the group thousands and thousands of hours, dollars, and delays.


    Cohousing is more than a sound bite; it is cultural pivot, and it takes folks doing some fun research first. Seattle and the surrounding areas have about a dozen cohousing communities largely because the bookstores in town have sold more than 1,000 copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities and the San Francisco area has over 20 cohousing communities because the book have sold more than 2,000 copies.

    Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods

    A Solution to Homelessness in Your Town

    Also available HERE


    Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities

    with Kathryn McCamant

    Revitalizing Our Small Towns

    Cohousing's role in positively effecting waning small towns.


    The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living

    Also available in Spanish

    State-Of-The-Art Cohousing: Lessons Learned from Quimper Village

    with Alexandria Levitt


    Happily Ever Aftering in Cohousing: A Handbook for Community Living

    Finding A Site: Cohousing From the Ground Up

    Growing Community: How to Find New Cohousing Members

    The Cohousing Company Website

       





  • 19.  RE: Blueprints for Senior Living - Request for Articles on Universal Design

    Posted 03-23-2023 08:02 PM
    You don't want to miss this.

    The Cohousing Company

    in collaboration with

    Antioch University Continuing Education


    How to Address Homelessness in Your Town


    Learn from the leading architect of community-enhanced design, Charles Durrett

    The average homeless person dies at 49 years old. It’s a thirty-year death sentence. This is not something that we can explain to our grandchildren.


    Let’s be proud of getting people off the streets and into a nurturing home and community.

    Register Here

    Charles Durrett will impart his decades of experience so that you understand the dynamics of addressing homelessness in your community. 


    This course is for legislators, municipal employees, architects, planners, designers, urban volunteers, and all good citizens.


    Homelessness in America is not intractable and new housing models are possible. We need more permanent and supportive housing. Please join us to learn, discuss, imagine, and work toward solutions to the homeless crisis in our towns.


    Here are some examples of the topic that we will be discussing in this class.

    Education and Awareness


    Charles will give an overview of the problem and the state of homelessness in America. He will also dissect the real costs of homelessness to cities, states, and the country (The Power Law Theory of Homelessness), and how homelessness is being mismanaged by cities, and costing cities, counties, states, and the Fed collectively well over $50,000 per unhoused person per year.

    Key Initial Steps


    Charles will also lay out the key initial steps in getting a project started, including marketing effort, creating the groundswell of will and interest, as well as determining feasibility of potential sites.

    The Design and Construction Process


    With his 30 years experience in designing community-enhanced design architecture, from 55 cohousing communities in North America to even more affordable housing, Charles will explain his unique design process and key design details that not only result in high-quality architecture, but also high-functioning community.

    Looking Forward


    Lastly, Charles will explain how long-term sustainability can be achieved within permanently affordable housing project, from in-house management to resident co-management via resident agreements.

    Antioch University 4-Part Live Online Program


    How to Address Homelessness in Your Town

    April 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2023


    This definitive course covers a complete, start-to-finish guide for starting permanently affordable and supportive housing for unhoused people in your town.


    Register here

    A Solution to Homelessness In Your Town

    Valley View Senior Housing, Napa County, California


    Valley View Senior Housing, built in 2019 in Napa County, CA, is a VERY affordable community of 70 cottages. 


    This groundbreaking homeless project was organized by American Canyon’s city government, for unhoused people and unhoused veterans of the area. This solution-oriented book shares the inspiring story of a compassionate & humane project. Every city can do this! And from this we can grow to do even more.


    Buy from ORO Editions   Buy from Amazon

    Books by Charles Durrett

    Books have played a major role from the beginning in terms of getting cohousing to this country and built in your town, starting with our first book Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves (The European Story). Bookstores normally play a key role in culture change in general, and cohousing is no exception.

    

    Many groups have contacted the publisher (New Society Press) directly to get bulk discounts, and I find that successful projects get started when lots of folks do their homework. I usually need to give a dozen copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities and/or Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living away to planners, banks, neighbors, mayors, new residents, local architects, builders, and so on—to give them context. It saves the group thousands and thousands of hours, dollars, and delays. Cohousing is more than a sound bite; it is cultural pivot, and it takes folks doing some fun research first. Seattle and the surrounding areas have about a dozen cohousing communities largely because the bookstores in town have sold more than 500 copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities

    Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods

    A Solution to Homelessness in Your Town

    Also available HERE


    Revitalizing Our Small Towns

    Cohousing's role in positively effecting waning small towns.


    Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities

    with Kathryn McCamant


    The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living

    Also available in Spanish


    State-Of-The-Art Cohousing: Lessons Learned from Quimper Village

    with Alexandria Levitt


    Happily Ever Aftering in Cohousing: A Handbook for Community Living

    Finding A Site: Cohousing From the Ground Up

    Growing Community: How to Find New Cohousing Members

    Facilitator Guide - Senior Cohousing Study Group 1 Guides

    Participant Guide - Senior Cohousing Study Group 1 Guides

    Architecture for Ageing Population

    The Cohousing Company Website