1. Participatory Design Process
Members of a forming group participate in designing
their community according to their needs and interests.
Early groups developed their own communities, contracting
with architects and builders. Now there are companies
that specialize in developing cohousing communities
working with future residents on design and construction.
In some areas traditional developers have become interested
in working with communities.
2. Intentionally Designed Neighborhood
Private residences are clustered around a shared open space. Attached dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street, an open green, or a courtyard. Single family homes are joined by a pedestrian path and typically have a public side facing the center of the community and a private side facing away. Parking is on the periphery, placed to encourage residents to walk through the community on their way home to greet other residents.
3. Green Architecture and Sustainable Design
Unlike many conventional homes where the suface design receives more attention from developers than the infrastructure, cohousing communities are designed to be long lasting and environmentally sustainable. As many green materials and as much passive energy design as is practical and affordable are used.
4. Shared Common House
and Grounds
A centrally placed common house, designed for daily
use, supplements private residences and is an integral
part of community life. The common house normally includes
a large kitchen and dining area, a children's playroom,
a laundry, and one or two guest rooms. It may also
contain a workshop, a library, exercise room, and crafts
room. Where possible the grounds will include commonly
owned outdoor spaces including greens, piazzas, playgrounds,
woods, and gardens.
Most communities have at least one or two evening meals
together each week; some have four plus a Saturday
or Sunday brunch.
5. Child-friendly, Multi-Generational, and Diverse
Cohousing communities were originally designed to be
child-friendly and to include residents that might
range from newborn to 95. Adults will typically be
both single and partnered and ethnically and culturally
diverse, reflecting the local population. Now, senior
cohousing communities are beginning to form for residents
over 55.
6. Self-Management and Maintenance
Residents manage community affairs and do most of the
work required to maintain the common house spaces and
the landscape. Some communities hire maintenance and
financial services, but the residents retain control.
All residents and their time are considered equal.
Hours spent on financial tasks are not considered more
valuable than those of the dishwasher.
7. Inclusive Governance, Non-Hierarchical Decision-Making
All residents meet regularly to develop the policies
that govern the community and address any community
issues. Leadership roles develop according to skills
and the interests of the community, but the responsibilities
normally granted to a board of directors are retained
by the community as a whole and decisions are made
by consensus. Some groups have a procedure for back-up
voting but it is rarely if ever used.
8. Economic and Social Independence.
Economies of group purchases and shared common facilities
are maximized but each household is economically independent.
There are no requirements that residents share a common
religious or political belief. Diversity of opinion
is valued and respected.
