Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: design review

[Bitner/Stevenson (lilbert]

My two cents, as usual:

Our houses started out looking all the same. In addition, we require
everyone to choose from a palette of only five colors that go together well
for the exterior of the house. If anyone wants to make changes to the
exterior of their house,(aside from changing their own landscaping or other
minor changes) there is a design review process that takes some weeks to go
through. These things were decided before I joined the group, and when I
joined I thought the whole color scheme thing was a bit severe. I'm much
more inclined toward the individual choice scenario.

After six years of living here, I'm more tolerant of the decisions being
made as a group. I'm quite certain that having a color palette to choose
from avoids conflict in the group. I have a neighbor whose color choices
would probably not suit me at ALL(are you reading this, Pam?;). I haven't
heard of any other group requiring certain colors, but most don't live in
the very close proximity that we do, as well as in an historical
neighborhood that would look tacky with garish colors.

As for the houses being all alike, they look much more individual now, as do
any group of homes inhabited by different people for very long. As it turns
out, most of the changes that people have wanted have been approved, and
those that weren't, were turned down for good reasons.

The cost savings is huge when everyone builds at the same time with the same
plans and the same materials. It is hard for some of the more well-off to
make compromises in finishes, etc., but our priority in this community was
cost savings and inclusion of those who were not so well off. I'm so glad
that I have the same house as the more affluent members of my group. My
children don't know there's any difference, and that makes me much more
comfortable living here. IMO, it's more in line with the ideals I'm trying
to teach them, and with the whole idea of cohousing. As soon as a group
decides to let everyone build their own, there are huge numbers of people
who can no longer be in the community, and I find that disturbing.

Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento, CA



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>From: "Marya S. Tipton" <sundog [at] gburgtimes.com>
>To: Multiple recipients of list <cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org>
>Subject: Re: design review
>Date: Wed, Dec 15, 1999, 11:39 PM
>

> Dear Kate,
> We are just starting our design process here at Hundredfold.
> One thing we are considering is that the more we do the same, the less
> expensive everything will be for everyone because of economies of scale.
> Originally, I had envisioned everyone having their own style house. Once we
> realized that ordering in bulk, whether it be windows, plumbing fixtures or
> even hiring a contractor, can really cut costs.
>>From  my point of view, if someone in the community can afford to build a
> home completely different from everyone else's, then they should go for it.
> But it just makes sense to do as much as possible to reduce costs. People
> can express their individuality in other ways, like exterior paint, trim and
> landscaping.
> Hope this helps,
> Peace,
> Marya
> Hundredfold Farm
> Orrtanna, PA
> http://users.desupernet.com/rhubarb
>
> ----------
>>From: NKaten947 [at] aol.com
>>To: Multiple recipients of list <cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org>
>>Subject: design review
>>Date: Wed, Dec 15, 1999, 5:34 PM
>>
>
>> I was wondering how design review works for other cohousing groups?  My
>> concern would be that it would inhibit or restrict any individuality.  We are
>> a condominium so there are limited common areas such as decks & porches that
>> the group is responsible to maintain.  But I was hoping for a village with
>> all the eccentricity it can offer.  thank you, Kate Nichols, Bellingham
>> Cohousing
>>
>