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WebChat #19 Cluster Apartments and Shared Flats in Cohousing

Submitted by gimnig on

Coho US Staff

Coho US has gone international with this interesting WebChat about cohousing in Berlin, Germany.

Michael LaFond, and architect raising in the US who lives and works in Germany, shared his experience of both living and working in cohousing in Berlin. Like all cohousing, these communities are self organized, community led, and sustainable. Unlike the most common cohousing communities in the US, they exist as part of larger housing units, occupying a couple of floors in a larger building, and they include homes that may not have a private kitchen.

Open House Day 2019:A growing list of communities to visit

Submitted by Cohousing Coaches on

By Raines Cohen, Coho/US Volunteer

A red image of a house with the words National Cohousing Open House April 27, 2019 superimposed
A group of people gathered in a room watching a presentation on cohousing

60 communities - and the list is still growing end evolving. This page will be continually updated through National Cohousing Open House Day, Saturday, April 27, 2019. Click on listed address for a map link, but please do verify locations, times (note that we have already have open hours flip-flop between morning and afternoon for several communities), and RSVP process for each event.

WebChat #17 Housing Segregation

Submitted by gimnig on

Coho US Staff

With forming communities wanting to be as diverse as possible, the topic of Housing Segregation and its Impact on Cohousing couldn't be more important. Crystal's recent WebChat describes the history of segregated housing in America, the ways in which federal policy created and maintained segregation, and the ongoing impact of those policies and ongoing racist practices still today.

The Cohousing Movement Needs Professionals

Submitted by gimnig on

Coho US Staff

One of the joys of working for the Cohousing Association is supporting the movement that is cohousing. We believe that cohousing is about more than what is achieved by any one community and more than the sum of those individual achievements. The collective potential of cohousing is literally to change the world. As cohousing grows, climate change is reduced. As cohousing expands, democracy regains the ability to bring our nation together. As cohousing thrives world leadership becomes inspiring, collaborative and connectional.

WebChat #16 Karen Gimnig Facilitation

Submitted by gimnig on

Coho US Staff

Strong facilitation makes for effective and efficient meetings. One ticky part is the balance between the need for strong leadership and the need to be an equal member of the community. This is where contracting comes into play. A facilitator needs a clear agreement with the community about their roles in the meeting and what will happen at the meeting. Good contracting helps balance power and keep participants engaged.

In this WebChat, Karen describes contracting and give examples of implementation.

WebChat #15 Acoustics in the Common House

Submitted by gimnig on

Coho US Staff

Last week's webchat with architect Grace Kim was full of useful information. Whether you are already using your common house or are in the design phase, taking time to think about acoustics and learning how to make them work well will add enjoyment and possibly participation to your common meals and other events.

Grace offers great tips on strategies and materials that keep sound at comfortable levels and she tells us what doesn't work and why.

Listen to the full WebChat here:
https://youtu.be/rFt2LnbD79M

Rubbish to Riches: The Alchemy of Food Waste in Cohousing

Submitted by Mary Kraus Architect on
Man adding leaves to community compost bin
Chickens feasting on stale bread
Dog enjoys old chicken stock poured onto his dry food
Man holding and pointing to food item he's taken from commercial refrigerator

I would like to say that mine is a household where celery never goes limp in the crisper. That whenever bread gets stale and milk sours, I miraculously combine them into a delicious bread pudding. Hah. While I may have great aspirations to using every last scrap of food, the plain truth is that in actuality, I fall far short of this goal.

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