Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: housing options

[Rob Sandelin (floriferous]

Well just to play the other side of the idea, you could just build spaces,
and let each individual do whatever they wanted in terms of finishing it
out. Seems like a lot of the passion goes into stuff like bathtubs,
kitchens, etc. So you build a shell and let people fill it in to their taste
and budget. The shell framework is the same, the plumbing is set, but the
cabinets, sink, faucetts, bathtub, carpet type, paint, colors etc are chosen
by the owner.

I heard of a local condo doing this with great success, can't see why it
wouldn't work in coho.

Rob Sandelin
Northwest Intentional Communities Association
Building a better society, one neighborhood at a time

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org
> [mailto:cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org]On Behalf Of Victoria
> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2000 4:02 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: housing options
>
>
> I'm inclined to agree with Chris Hanson re: cutting the role of the
> residents in the individual units.  Of course the diversity of sites would
> make it necessary to have options to choose from: condos vs. houses for
> instance.  I think it would be an amazing time and cost saver to have the
> group choose among some preplanned options along the lines Chris
> described,
> with all changes being saved for later remodels.  (There is still
> PLENTY of
> work to do in building the community and common house.) I'm guessing that
> this would make cohousing something truly affordable and accessible to
> people with limited time and money, often the very people who stand to
> benefit the most.
>
> It amazes me that cohousing ever gets completed at all, given the blood,
> sweat and tears required.  My guess is that for cohousing to be an REAL
> option for MANY people in our culture it is going to have to
> metamorphose a
> bit, so that the aforementioned people low on energy and money - often
> parents - can benefit.  It seems likely that it is going to have to get
> easier somehow, or it will remain limited to a few.  Chris's idea is worth
> exploring further.
>
> Vicky Leary
> Trillium Hollow
> Portland, Oregon
>
>