Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Enclosed "Street" Between Homes

[LaDonna (6ldmd]

Susana,

I was excited to hear about your extensive glass enclosed walkways, because I 
live in New England.  Are there pictures of your community?
    LaDonna

---- Susana Michaelis <susana [at] pacificgardens.ca> wrote: 

=============

Hello everyone,

I was on holidays and so missed this thread previously. I am thrilled to 
see the collection of pictures so diligently copied for us by Luk 
Jonckheere in Belgium. Great job!

I am one of the original members of Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community 
in Nanaimo, BC on Vancouver Island. Our glass-covered indoor pedestrian 
walkway is a unique feature that we are extremely excited about. It 
covers 2 floors and links all 25 units to the common house and to each 
other. I think it will be a very popular design concept for future projects!

We will be able to visit each other, have a spontaneus chat, sit and 
have coffee, watch children play, and go to the common house....without 
getting our coats and shoes on in the winter!! We got the idea from 
Windsong and have designed the glass panels to allow easy retrofit of 
solar hot water panels onto the south-facing peaks in the roof.  This 
adds extensive common areas in addition to the common-house. We envision 
plants, tables and chairs, art-work, banners, street lights and a very 
welcoming space to lead you to your "front" door.

The great news is that we have our full building permit and our 
construction loan! The foundation has been laid and we are now putting 
up walls. This week we have a Grand Celebration with City officials, 
contractors, media etc. It is really happening!! Completion could be as 
early as December, which would make for a terrific year-end party. There 
are still units available, but they are going quickly. We have some 
great 2 floor, 3 bedroom and den units, perfect for a larger family or a 
home-based business.

For those of you self-developing, who think it will never happen, don't 
ever give up! Even though it has taken us at least 10 years, we have all 
stretched our comfort zone and and grown tremendously in so many ways. 
Each of us have contributed immeasurably to the design and development, 
and we feel passionate about our creation.

All the best to each of you,
Susana Michaelis
www.pacificgardens.ca
250-754-3060





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