Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: enclosed "street" between homes

[David Hornick (dhornick]

On 3/18/08 6:16 AM, "cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org"
<cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org> wrote:

> Re: [C-L]_ enclosed "street" between homes

One way to deal with the noise is to utilize green construction technologies
that are well known to provide excellent energy conservation profiles as
well as noise insulation.  Our Helderberg Co-housing is considering ICF
(integrated concrete and foam) such as that distributed by ARXX  (arxx.com).

I've been in an AARX  home.  Very quiet.  Nice.  Also, they claim that their
wall system provides an "effective R value" of about 50 and a burn rating of
over 3 hours.  A 2200 square  foot ARXX home I visited is estimated to
require only $300 for heating energy expense this winter. This system is
also quite amenable to sweat equity construction projects.

This technology qualifies for its "green" designation because the foam is
made from recycled plastic.  I guess that concrete can be considered a green
technology, but am still puzzling over that.

Windsong Co-housing's covered street is a concept that is attractive to
those cohousing communities that are being developed in climates that are
severely impacted by weather.  Helderberg Co-housing is located in Upstate
New York - lots of wind and snow.  Not having to worry about plowing snow or
slipping on icy walkways or dealing with wind-driven rain is very attractive
and much safer for older residents.  Being able to sit out on a
"street-side" patio in the winter and having easy access to the common house
regardless of weather all make this concept extremely attractive.

David Hornick
Helderberg Co-housing
A developing co-housing project in the Capital Region of New York State