Cohousing-L Mailing List: More about the "lot" development model vs. group design

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

One  issue which I just thought about in the lot development model vs. 
the design and build it all at once model is that in the lot model, 
individuals are not constrained by anothers income as they are in the 
design uniform model.

In designing a development all together individuals often end up making 
choices based on  other peoples income.  In building your own custom 
home, you have only your own income to limit you, not someone else's.  
If I want top of the line, super efficient window systems I can buy 
them if I can personally afford them. The reverse of this is true also, 
if someone else wants to use super energy efficient top of the line 
windows and I can't afford them, then I don't have to. I can build 
whatever I can afford.

 In the group design model, an individuals choices are sometimes very 
limited, based on the lowest income denominator.  This means that often 
design is constrained by what the lowest incomes can afford.  For 
example kitchen layouts, living room square footage, and bathroom size 
and features are usually aligned along what the group thinks is 
appropriate.  If I personally want a 500 square foot custom bathroom, 
its not an option.  Custom options drive up the costs for the whole 
development so I have to choose, usually between 2-3 options, a low, a 
middle and a high.

 I observed in one cohousing development I have visited that they were 
using a rather poor quality kitchen cabinet.  When I asked my host 
about she, she gave me a wry smile and said that is what the group 
agreed they could all afford.  Then she said that eventually she was 
going to remodel and replace the kitchen cabinets with ones "I  like".

It would be interesting to know how many prospective cohousers have 
looked at cohousing and come to the conclusion that they would not be 
willing to give up control of the design of their own personal living 
space to a group. Granted, on one level, unless you build your own 
custom home, you do that anyway.  I know that is one of the several 
reasons why I choose Sharingwood and I have heard it from several of my 
neighbors as well.  Thought I'd add it to the discussion.

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood.