Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: office space in Common House

[RAYGASSER (RAYGASSER]

Office space at EcoVillage is being designed and paid for by those who will
use it. Basically we're buying a larger house, and that "larger" part
just happens to be in the CH & not contiguous with our living space. We
didn't feel that the community should subsidize those of us who need office
space outside the home. The architect sent each of us a bill for the 
additional design time, and we'll pay for the additional construction costs.
Each month our "maintenance fees" will probably be a little higher, to pay
for heating, etc.

We asked all potential residents "Who wants office space & how much". Then 
we talked to the town, and agreed that no more than 1/4 of the CH square
footage would be private office, no office would be larger than 200 sf, and
no office would have more than 2 employees from outside the community.

The office space has a direct connection to the inside of the CH. It's on 
two levels, and the upper level (ground floor) has an outside entrance.
This will be near the offices ot those who have clients coming in (like a 
therapist and a lawyer). I'm getting a downstairs office, since I never
bring in clients (I'm a computer consultant and always go to their place,
and once I move up to Ithaca from NJ, I'll do most work with fax/modem/phone).

One spot in the office wing is dedicated to the EcoVillage office, about
75 sf. We're actually building about 150 sf of "not-yet-spoken-for" space
because we still have 2 or 3 housing slots open, and want to allow for the
possibility that needs of potential joiners can be met, or changing needs of
the existing 27/28 can be fulfilled.

Total office space: 900 sf out of 3600 in the Common House. Community doesn't
provide any desks, chairs, etc., but the office owners will probably be
sharing copiers/faxes & the like.

Ray Gasser, EcoVillage at Ithaca
raygasser [at] delphi.com