Nevada City Cohousing (CA) announces grand opening

Thirty-four households celebrated the realization of their dream to create a multi-generational, child-friendly and environmentally sustainable neighborhood at the Nevada City Cohousing (CA) grand opening on June 10, 2006.

Architects Katie McCamant and Chuck Durrett initiated the project in 2002, bringing together future residents not only to plan the community, but also to work diligently to see it to completion. The CoHousing Company, a division of McCamant & Durrett Architects, provided architectural and project management services.

Thirty-four private homes cluster around a common house, and there is also a swimming pool, a community vegetable garden and a workshop – 4,000 square feet of common facilities on an 11-acre site. In addition, seven single-family lots face Chief Kelly Drive, while the heavily forested six acres on the south side of the property will remain undeveloped.

The project incorporates many sustainable design elements. Eighty percent of the electric needs will be met with a sophisticated photovoltaic system. Advanced framing techniques reduce the amount of lumber used by 25% to 40%. Whole house fans, low E windows, skylights, and the installation of attractive and longwearing recycled building materials are also incorporated into the design. The General Contractor, Tintle, Inc., sub-contractors, and other trades worked hard to locate sustainably harvested lumber and other environmentally friendly materials for the project.

The site posed some unique challenges. In the 1860’s, hydraulic gold mining was invented on the site. The washing away of hillsides with pressured hoses left behind a ravaged, soil-depleted, “brown field.” Undeterred, Katie and Chuck were excited about the prospect of taking on the project. Chuck explains, “This project presented an excellent opportunity to stem the tide of housing sprawl in Nevada County, and build sustainable in-fill development and affordable housing at the same time.” Katie adds, ”We knew that with the right stewardship we could create beautiful place to live.” The couple, along with their 15-year-old daughter, are also new residents of Nevada City Cohousing community.

McCamant and Durrett Architects are also working on new cohousing communities in California - Grass Valley, Fresno, Truckee and Orangevale. For more information visit: McCamant & Durrett  and Nevada City Cohousing.