Cohousing-L Mailing List: Workshops

[Buzz Burrell (72253.2101]

Calvin Smith asked:

> EV Cohousing is making plans to set up a workshop for various community 
>activities, including auto repair, metalworking shop, woodworking
>shop, and possibly some additional compatible crafts.  I would 
>like to know if any  of those who have preceded Ithaca on the 
>road to coho would care to comment on the size/capabilities/design 
>of a multi-purpose workshop space and the activities that are readily
>compatible in such a workshop.

Generally, the cohousing model as it has so far been practiced is for it to be a
purely residential community.  Play area, garden, and the like are often
included.  I am sure this will open up in the near future.

On the other hand, the intentional communities movement (of which cohousing can
be considered a subset) often incorporates monetary income, work, spiritual
practice, and many other group practices into the framework.

Specific to your question, Sunrise Ranch near Loveland Colorado is a good
example.  They have been around since 1946, and have a auto shop on premises,
complete with hydraulic lift, as well as other work areas, some of which are
designed for the community, and some of which are for income production.

Regarding what uses are compatable, the answer seems to be:  potentially
anything.  The crux I think would be to have people who know how to do the work
and want to do it.  Then the rest of the community would just have to tolerate
it, and agree on how to finance and pay for the work shop.  We have worked it
out just that simply.  Whoever wants a woodworking shop pays for it, and then
uses it.  If you don't want it, it still gets built, but you don't pay for it or
use it.  What gets built is based less upon what we decide we need, and more
upon who has the time, energy, and money to create something.

To be a viable community, it doesn't seem to be neccessary for everyone to
participate equally in everything.  This philosophy makes creating the
"accessory" functions of the community a simpler process.

Buzz Burrell
Paonia, CO