OUR RATIONALE
It is a well-known fact that people are happier, healthier, more productive, live longer, and are just plain more fun to be around when they are part of a supportive social network and when they have control over their current and future lifestyles. These well-known factors have been the sustaining qualities of intentional communities for centuries and have inspired the more recent cohousing concept that originated in Denmark in the 1960s. This collaborative approach to housing and community building has grown exponentially in the United States over the past 20 years and has proven to be an increasingly desirable lifestyle as people find themselves living further and further away from their nuclear families. Many young parents, empty-nesters, and single people yearn for the support that, in olden times, was provided by families who all lived in the neighborhood. Cohousing and intentional communities provide the type of support that used to be the domain of nuclear and extended families. There are now 113 completed cohousing communities in the United States and about 900 at various stages of development throughout North America that are listed on www.cohousing.org/directory
But, it is no longer enough to live in a community that supports us socially and emotionally. The time has come for us to transcend our individual needs and direct our energy and efforts toward healing the damage that our lifestyles has perpetrated on our planet in this post-industrial era. To ensure that our planet and natural resources will be available for future generations, we must become good stewards of the earth and all living creatures and plants. The time has come for building environmentally friendly homes and communities and to develop lifestyles that will heal, preserve and support the planet. The scientific knowledge and technology are now available to build ecologically sound homes and communities. Greensward Hamlet is dedicated to a sustainable lifestyle that nurtures our souls, supports the continuation of our natural resources, and offers hope to our descendents.
OUR VISION
We seek to bring healing and sustainability to our planet and our brothers and sisters by honoring these seven guiding principles or intentions.
1. to promote a supportive, harmonious community atmosphere that offers social and professional networking, while preserving members' individual needs for privacy and solitude.
2. to be member-owned, self governed and collaboratively managed using a consensual process.
3. to welcome and support diversity of people and ideas
4. to support mindfulness and wellness
5. to live in harmony with each other and our neighbors
6. to minimize our carbon and ecological footprint on the planet by using ecologically sound design and construction, balanced with affordability.
7. to be a model and resource for others who want to create a sustainable lifestyle for future generations to enjoy.
Our Seven Intentions Described:
First Intention: Harmony and Balance in community
Greensward Hamlet is a harmonious neighborhood that balances the interaction and socialization among families with each individual’s need for privacy and solitude. Individual homes, in multi-family dwellings, and common house are nestled in woodlands along an open heart-shaped drive and pedestrian walkways to the greensward. While there are shared utilities and opportunities for sharing special skills and resources, each individual decides the level of participation for which they are available and that is comfortable for them. There is no pressure on families and individuals – only opportunities, encouragement and support for a happier, more meaningful and sustainable lifestyle. Opportunities for shared meals, social and professional networking, entertainment, education, stress-relieving and wellness practices, spiritual practices, as well as shared transportation to work and/or errands are available in the community. The common house and greensward are the focal point of the community. The large common house provides a special place to gather for planned or spontaneous activities. It features a large gourmet kitchen, a beautiful great room with a central fireplace, an exercise room, children's playroom, game room, craft/art studio, group meditation room, laundry, bathrooms, guest rooms, home offices, and an entryway with coat racks and cubbies. The common greensward provides a safe place for children and adults to enjoy the outdoors.
SECOND INTENTION:
MEMBER OWNED AND GOVERNED BY CONSENSUS
Francoise Paradis conceived and, with a great desgin team and following a cohousing model, created GREENSWARD HAMLET in 2008. F.E. Paradis Enterprises, LLC, will operate the community until it is completed. Upon its completion, GREENSWARD HAMLET will be deeded to Greensward Condominium Association, a non-profit organization (to be created) that will own and operate GREENSWARD HAMLET. Homeowners will be members of the Association and pay monthly dues that will be used to operate and maintain commonly owned land, structures, amenities, insurance and a reserve fund for long-range infrastructure repairs and new projects.
The Association will have a number of teams to handle community operations and member concerns, requests, and proposals. The teams will be responsible for studying the issues brought forth by members and exploring possible solutions and optional actions. Their findings will be presented to Association members at monthly general meetings for all members to consider.
The decision-making process is by consensus. The goal of using a consensus process is to arrive at creative solutions and agreement among the group, having considered everyone’s views and needs. It is important to arrive at decisions and solutions that are in the best interest of the community and that all members can support and collaborate in implementing them.
Members are expected to actively participate in the decision-making and upkeep of the community. Generally the commitment of time expected averages out to about two hours a week.
THIRD INTENTION:
DIVERSITY
Greensward Hamlet welcomes diversity. Our community is open to anyone who wishes to live this intentional lifestyle. We invite people of different ages, gender, incomes, ethnicity, sexual orientation, family constellations, and opinions to come live with us. Our unifying ideologies are commitments to mindfully live in harmony and be good stewards of the earth.
We welcome and appreciate diverse points of view and ideas in growing our community and manifesting our intentions.
FOURTH INTENTION:
MINDFULNESS AND WELLNESS
- Supports mindfulness in all its activities.
- Offers daily group meditations for members and friends
- Offers yoga and/or other physical exercise programs for members and friends
- Welcomes and supports wellness activities offered by and for members and friends
FIFTH INTENTION:
PEACE AND HARMONY
At Greensward Hamlet:
- Community members live in harmony with each other
- Community members resolve conflicts peacefully.
- Members interact with loving kindness
- Members respect all living creatures and support their existence.
SIXTH INTENTION:
HARMONY AND BALANCE ON EARTH
Greensward Hamlet is committed to reducing the depletion of our natural resources, reversing the effects of global warming, stabilizing climate change, and finding the balance to live in harmony with nature. In this effort, the community features the following elements.
The Site Layout will maintain the natural contours of the land and minimize any ecological disturbance while maximizing the use of passive solar energy and shared infrastructure. Private entrances to the units, pedestrian walkways, beautiful courtyards, and designated recreational areas will allow safe fathering places for children and adults. Lot 147 is 30 acres, and we will build on about nine acres, leaving the remaining 21 acres natural.
We will relocate plants that need to be removed for road and building construction. We'll use them to create buffers between neighbors when feasible. (We've already started this.) We will Shred trees and shrubs that need to be destroyed to use on walking trails and as mulch in the landscape and gardens. Whatever we do not use, we'll give to the Buxton recycling center so it will be available for other residents of Buxton.
Our dwellings will be five Multi-family buildings with four condominiums in each and a community building. Multi-family dwellings significantly minimize the ecological footprint and are more affordable.
Local materials and personnel will be used when available and affordable. Our design and building team members are from Maine – The builders: Patrick Mulligan grew up in Hollis; Troy Beaulieu grew up in Gardner. Our Engineers: Steve Bradstreet lives in Gorham; Keith Gray lives in Buxton. Our architects: Phil Kaplan lives in Falmouth; Robin Tannenbaum lives in Westbrook. Our landscape designer: Ted Carter grew up in Gorham and now lives in Buxton. We are soliciting bids from contractors in Buxton for all aspects of the project.
Because our footprint is so tight, we will be able to share the infrastructure - wells, septic systems, geothermal and solar hot water heat systems, generated electricity, cable TV and Internet connections will be shared to the maximum extent possible. This will be a significant cost savings for residents.
We are building long-life homes using eco-conscious design and materials to last for many generations. (Concrete, recycled rubber shingles…)
The building envelope with high R values in the walls, ceilings and floors, and high performance triple pane windows to access passive solar heat and light will reduce our costs for heating and lighting. Insulated shades will keep the heat in when the sun goes down. Lighting will come from the sun during the day and compact fluorescent lights with dimmer switches in the evenings. Outside lighting will be minimal and solar powered as much as possible.
We are committed to using NO FOSSIL FUELS. We will use a radiant floor heat system with passive solar, geothermal pumps and solar hot water. The geothermal system will also provide cooling in the summer. Electricity will be generated with photovoltaic panels and wind power for the common house and to run the geothermal pumps. We will buy green electricity from CMP and prepare for installing photovoltaic panels on individual residences in a few years when the technology is refined and the price reduced.
We are committed to using renewable and recycled materials when feasible and balanced with maintaining our commitment to affordability. (bamboo, eucalyptus, natural stone, concrete, cellulose, wool, composite wood, paperstone…)
No toxic substances or materials will be used. The homes will be healthy environments inside and out.
We are following green building guidelines recommended by the U.S. Green Building Council; the buildings will be registered with the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program and will meet requirements of the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program. These certifications will insure that all "green features" are authentic and support the continuation of our resources. The building process will be monitored and inspected by certifying agencies from start to finish.
We will have a community organic garden with composting bins to help achieve our goals of consuming local products and recycling kitchen wastes, leaves, etc.
A designated recycling will be established within the community
Water conservation will be achieved by using water-efficient showerheads, dual flush toilets and collecting rainwater for gardening and landscaping. Where irrigation is necessary, we'll use zoned drip irrigation systems to conserve water.
Drugs and tobacco will be prohibited in the community. Alcohol use will be discouraged at our group gatherings except for special occasions, but individuals can do what they want in their private homes.
Each multi-family dwelling will have a farmer's porch, private courtyards and herbal/flower gardens, storage, and outdoor clothes drying areas.
There will be ample resident and visitor parking spaces and resident garages placed on the periphery to minimize traffic within the hamlet.
Nature trails will be maintained for non-motorized activities such as walking, snowshoeing, and skiing. The trails will be constructed to avoid disturbing the wetlands and ecosystem
We will offer green transportation by organizing car-pooling for commuting to work, shopping trips to town, running errands, and weekly trips to the recycling center. The community will have a pick up truck available to residents for running errands and transporting large items. We hope to eventually have one or two "smart cars" for the community and hope that families can get by with just one vehicle and use the community vehicles when needed. And, of course, we'll encourage bicycling and walking.
A fenced dog park will be collaboratively created and maintained by resident dog owners.
Landscaping: The common and individual greenswards will feature wildflower meadows on the periphery and eco-lawn grass that does not require mowing, thus avoiding noise pollution or use of chemicals. Native, drought resistant plants and trees will be used to provide wind and sun protection as well as buffers for privacy and noise control. Beautiful outdoor gathering spaces will be designed to be welcoming and useable.
The Common House will be a place for socialization and community meetings/events and shared meals. We'll have a large kitchen and great room with a central fireplace. It will feature a playroom for children, a game room for teens and adults, a community library of shared books, CDs, and DVDs, a community laundry, exercise room, meditation room, some multipurpose rooms, home offices, and extra storage. The large group spaces in the common house will reduce the need for large individual homes, thus reducing the ecological footprint and family expense.
SEVENTH INTENTION:
SHARING OUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- Members who are so inclined may offer education and consultation to other individuals and communities who want to build sustainable homes or develop ecologically sound communities.
- Classes and workshops on cooperative living, green building, organic gardening, eco-landscaping and other such topics may be offered by leaders and experts in the field.
- We encourage members and others to read the current literature on cooperative and green living concepts.
To see Our Progress To see Our Team
