Getting It Built Workshop AND a Cohousing Slideshow with Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett (Minnesota)

Northfield, Minnesota       November 8-9, 2008 (9-5 Saturday; 9-1 Sunday)

and 

A slideshow with Katie and Chuck

November 7^th, 6:30 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, Northfield

Buffalo Commons Cohousing is delighted to announce that nationally renowned cohousing pioneers Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett (of CoHousing Partners and McCamant & Durrett Architects) are coming to Northfield, Minnesota (40 miles south of Minneapolis/St. Paul) to offer their introductory workshop for forming cohousing. This is an invaluable resource for early-stage groups seeking to understand the fundamentals of the cohousing development process. While portions of the workshop will focus on development of Buffalo Commons Cohousing in Northfield, the curriculum is directly applicable to development of other cohousing communities, and individuals from other areas/communities nationwide are encouraged to attend. The evening before the workshop, Katie and Chuck will present a more general cohousing slideshow, highlighting projects they have worked on, at an event featuring local foods and music.

The Getting It Built Workshop will focus on the nuts and bolts of cohousing development, providing a comprehensive overview and a roadmap for forming communities. As background, we encourage participants to have read the book Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves and to have visited or toured completed cohousing. We also encourage early registration, as class size will be limited.

Curriculum will cover the following:

The Development Process

• The role of the developer and ways to partner
• Typical development stages and timelines
  

Land Search & Acquisition

• Evaluating sites for feasibility
• Making a purchase offer
• Partnering with brokers, master developers and others
  

Financing

• Typical development costs
• Roles of community members and outside investors
• What can you afford?
  

Design

• Best practices from Denmark to America
• The “Common House Game,” a learning exercise
  

Working Together

• Making decisions and working with consensus
• Building a strong group to get the work done
  

Getting It Built Worskhop cost: $300; and $150 for a second household member (spouse/significant other)

**Save by registering early**

$250 for one registration and $125 for a second registration from the same household if postmarked by October 24^th.

 Cohousing slideshow: $12 at the door

Workshop participants will receive a binder with supporting materials; coffee, tea and snacks will be available in the mornings and lunch will be provided on Saturday. To register, fill out and submit the form on the second page here.