Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: More on LDM - Uniformity & Bonding

[Mmariner (Mmariner]

Mac Thomson asked whether

..creating homes that look alot the same, such as those usually created via
the
Danish model, DON'T add anything to the feeling of community.  I have been
recently wondering about this.  

Mac, I'm assuming this was a "straight-up" question, not a curve-ball of some
sort.

Speaking for me personally, I'd say it would be bonding for the group to
collectively decide on a look, an architectural style, that was both
harmonious with the surrounding natural setting and a composite of the
desires of the collaborators in the community.

In other words, being in harmony with a vision could be/should be "bonding"
but kow-towing to some sense of uniformity for uniformity's sake might be
pretty empty.

I don't resonate with Nyland's architecture much (the Common House feels
pretty good) but I love it that they couldn't consense on a color scheme and
so chromatic anarchy ensued which I think is fetching - a saving grace.  The
artists in the community went wild on their houses -- with a rainbow of
finesse & grace!

=Mike M=