Cohousing-L Mailing List: Chicken vs. Egg Issue

[Paul B. Chen (pzbc]

Here at East Lake Commons, we're in the process of reviewing =
proposals of architects.  At the same time, due to the timeframe =
we're under, the group is anxious to get moving on selecting stuff =
like kitchen appliances, counters and cabinets, bathroom fixtures, =
flooring options, etc.  

However, it is my understanding that in their work, architects often =
- if not almost always - select these types of things.  At the same =
time, I have been aware that cohousing groups form committees to do =
such selections.  Would those who have been through the process =
please advise regarding this apparent chicken-egg problem?  

If architects are supposed to have the expertise to match style of =
house against all these things (I haven't found a better word than =
"stuff" to use), should we just let the architect do the selection?  =
On the other hand, group members have interest in this stuff, so =
should we proceed without architect's advise?  Or, is there a good =
third route in which one party sets certain parameters and the other =
takes those and makes choices within those parameters?  

I=B9m assuming there is such a third way, but am in the dark as to =
what that way would be.  Any enlightenment would be appreciated.



Paul B. Chen
pbchen [at] mindspring.com 

East Lake Commons - a cohousing/ecovillage of 67 units in two =
communities on 17 acres of urban land just minutes from downtown =
Atlanta.