CoHousing a Unique Development Alternative

While attention has been focused on the high-rise condominium development taking over downtown Austin, an entirely different type of residential project is in the works just east of Highway 183 off MLK Blvd.

Central Austin Cohousing's Kaleidoscope Village just made it through a few city zoning requirements and looks to be well on its way.

SO WHAT IS CO-HOUSING?

Cohousing first appeared in Denmark during the 1960s. The concept is a planned housing development that features private homes with full kitchens, but that incorporates extensive common spaces designed to promote interaction between neighbors, often including a large common kitchen and meeting facility in addition to recreational areas.

While there are hundreds of these communities in Europe, the idea is just now catching on here in the United States. Currently, there are 12 cohousing projects in Texas and 80 nationwide.

As planned, the Austin cohousing project will include 37 units (27 of which have already been reserved) ranging in size from one bedroom/one bath and 700 sq ft to four bedroom/three bath and 1450 sq ft. The site will also feature community gardens, trails and pathways, and a non-chlorinated swimming pool.

I'm glad to see that Austin will be home to such a progressive residential development. The Mueller Austin redevelopment also features cohousing units. With that project in full swing, looks like east Austin is turning into the new hot spot for enlightened developers.

By Carey Eskridge

Comments

[matthieu]

Hi, we just published a documentary on the cohousing phenomenon. It won an award at the 34th Ekotopfilm festival 2007 and was designed to show what is cohousing "from within" as a complement to the existing books.
The trailer can be watched at http://notsocrazy.net/video.html
Enjoy!
Matthieu
Director of "Voices of Cohousing"

[Dee Copeland]

I'm definitely interested in cohousing as an alternative to affordable community development. I wonder if the development community will follow the trend and actually buy into it.