Progress at Greensward Hamlet

January 2010 UPDATE: 
All the elements of the universe have converged over Greensward Hamlet to move it forward.  Financing is in the works for Building A, which will be built this winter for occupancy next summer.    Building A is the two-story building that contains a 3 bedroom with a 500sf auxiliary unit (my home), a 3 bedroom, a 2  bedroom, a 920 sf one-bedroom end unit on 1st floor  and a 720 sf one-bedroom end unit on 2nd floor.  We considered full basements for all units except the 720 sf one, but in the end decided against it because it would add about $25,000 to each unit.  We are also exploring the possibility of using double insulated wood walls instead of the ICF, again to keep prices down (the price of concrete has gone up significantly in the past two years) but also because these walls have proven as effective, or more effective, than ICF.  They have R-40 insulation rating compared to R-26 for ICF.   We are assured they can achieve the same soundproof rating with these walls as with ICF.  We are getting prices now so we can compare and make an informed decision.  Let me know your thoughts about this change.
I have interviewed new builders and picked Elwood Robbins who brings 30 years of building experience and many resources.  We have met with the architects to finalize the changes and details for a building with five units.   Elwood has re-priced that building with the changes and is now repricing with changes to keep prices down without compromising the integrity of the building.  Prices for some materials have started to go up, some are less expensive.  Some the changes we are considering are:

Double insulated wood walls rather than ICF

 No basements

 Standard roof on the garages rather than the fancy curved roofs.

 Spruce or fir planks for the 2nd story floor rather than Bamboo
         
Peter and Nick Pinkham of Buxton, will do the site development.  They have done site work for me before, including a labyrinth and a stone circle.  They do a great job and enjoy the creative aspects of site construction.  They are very respectful of mother earth, and conscious of preserving our resources.  They also have a good working relationship with the town zoning board, code enforcement officer, road commissioner, and recycling center of Buxton.  We can trust them to do the work according to DEP, LEED, town standards, and their own high standards.

Greensward Hamlet   Member Meeting - January 24, 2009

The Greensward Hamlet community had a good meeting on Saturday, January 24th.   We welcomed some new interested members:  Ernie and Eva from Bridgeton are both educators and artists who have built their own sustainable home with unique creative features.  As empty nesters looking toward retirement, they are   looking for a community where they can share their love of art with like-minded people.  Rob of South Portland shared his experience of looking for an energy-efficient “green” home when he moved to Maine a few years ago.  He and his partner “greened” the home they did find.  They have been interested in sustainable living and cohousing for several years and are happy to join our group.  Bob drove up from N.H. again.  Bob has been looking for a cohousing community for several years and is eager for the project to get started so he can move in.  Debra, our new marketing specialist, has been part of the group from the beginning.  She and her husband live on the bank of the Saco River in Buxton.  Debra is an artist and shamanic practitioner who recently quit her day job to devote her time to her art and her healing work.  We are very grateful that she has agreed to work for the promotion of Greensward Hamlet.  She has already set up a number of informational meetings (I’ve attached the list below), and she is putting together a packet of information to hand out at the talks.  She has many other ideas for marketing the community such as local TV programming, neighborhood potluck, educational programs on community living, etc.  She would welcome any ideas and/or help from any of you.  If you would like to sponsor a potluck or information session in your home or community, contact her at windhorse506@yahoo.com or 207-929-6776. 

I shared the story of my partner and I building a home “from the ground up” in 1976 following the Shelter Institute plans.   It was during the “back to earth” movement in the midst our first energy crisis.  We built a very primitive shed-style house (16 X 40) with home-made windows, passive solar gain, no indoor plumbing, composting toilet, and a huge garden.  Every Saturday morning we went to the dump looking for any materials we could use – our greatest find was a hardwood floor for our kitchen.  We built super insulated walls, floor, and ceiling with a small woodstove providing the heat.  It was one big room with two lofts connected by a catwalk with no railing -the only being ever to nearly fall off was our cat.  We naively took the summer off from work to build the house with the intention of moving in by Thanksgiving.  We soon found that everything took twice as long to do and cost twice as much as we anticipated. We finally hired someone to finish the interior so we could move in the following spring.  We both worked in town – a 9 mile drive – and took showers at the local pool.  In those days we were both jogging every day and showering often, which meant driving into town on weekends as well – sometimes separately.  It brought home the fact that “homesteading” or being “earth friendly” is very difficult for working people.  After a few years we sold out on our fantasy.  We hired a “green” architect from coastal Maine to design a large addition with a luxurious bathroom and living room/office.  He designed an elaborate system to circulate the heat through duct work in the ceiling, walls and underneath the concrete slab with a large fan that was so noisy we never used it.  We continued to heat with wood and appreciate our passive solar heat.  We installed a small fan to move the heat between the addition and the original house.  We continued to recycle as much as possible and conserve energy by keeping lights out when not needed, reusing plastic bags, composting, buying food from a coop, etc.  We downsized our gardens and stopped trying to sell at the farmer’s market – it was just too much work.  In those days, I frequently thought that if only we had other families living on the land, we could have more easily continued to live the sustainable life-style we were attempting.  To share the work of gardening and share the abundant harvest sure would beat doing it all ourselves and then taking much of the harvest to the farmer’s market.  I didn’t want a commune, just a group of families each in our own homes who shared the same interest and commitment to conserve and share our resources.  
 So I was not at all surprised when I learned in recent years that the idea of shared land and resources was manifesting in Denmark during that same time period.  Cohousing was the natural progression from the failing commune movement and a sensible way to conserve our natural resources and become better stewards of our planet. 
 In light of that experience and the experience of renovating two homes after that, I have to say that I am not at all surprised that breaking ground for this project is taking longer than I had anticipated.  The silver lining for this delay is that as we wait for the economy to improve so people will feel safe in purchasing our homes, the “green” technologies continue to evolve and hopefully the prices will do down.  The delay is also giving me more time to research these new or improved technologies. 
 Last week at a meeting of the Maine Chapter of the US Green Building Council we discussed the lack of statistics regarding the efficiency of all these “green” technologies. Neither in the commercial or the home sectors have there been an effort to collect data on this.  All we have available are projections of the efficiency.  USGBC is now starting to collect that data so we can make a case for green building – to see what works well and what is not worth the investment.
 Yesterday, Debra and I attended the Built Energy Forum in Augusta, organized by Midcoast Magnet and Newforest Institute.  It was nice to get validation for the heating system and other technologies and materials we will be using at Greensward Hamlet.  The issue of a lack of statistical data regarding the efficiency of these technologies was brought up again.  We learned that some Maine builders have taken the initiative to start collecting that data on the green buildings they have already completed.  Our architects, Kaplan Thompson, are currently collecting data on their “Bright Built Barn” home, and they intend to collect data on our buildings.  It is important to have that information for citizens and builders to make good decisions about green building. 
 Another hot topic at today’s forum was the expense of LEED certification and whether it’s worth it.  There are now alternative certifications available that may not be as costly.  However LEED is the known label and there was consensus that LEED certification increases the value of these homes at resale. 
 I am preparing a presentation to be delivered at the informational meetings – researching whatever statistics are available.  If any of you have access to this type of data, I would appreciate if you would forward it to me.  It is really unfortunate that Cohousing Association has not collected that data in a systematic way over the years.  But we do have anecdotes from the listserve and some articles.

September 2009 Update

I have taken the past few months to reflect on ways to make homes at Greensward Hamlet more affordable without compromising the integrity of the structures and all the “green” and sustainable features that will make Greensward
Hamlet homes comfortable and inexpensive to maintain for many generations.  The way we did this is by reconfiguring the  buildings and eliminating one of the multi-family buildings. This eliminates a geothermal system, a water well, a roof system, a concrete pad, four concrete walls, and some landscaping. We will now have four buildings with five units each. The 2-story building will have a smaller (720 sq ft) unit on the second floor above a 920 sq ft unit on the first floor. That building will also have a 2-bedroom, a 3 bedroom, and a 4 bedroom. A 500 sq ft in-law unit can be attached to a 3-bedroom or 4-bedroom unit at either end of the building.
The one-level building is designed to be very flexible. It can have one, two,three, or four bedrooms. The one-bedroom will have a loft that can be made into a 2nd bedroom or left open for a light-filled studio or meditation area. Or there can be a cathedral ceiling with no loft. There is also the option of a 1-level 2-bedroom unit on either end of the building.

November 3, 2008

After several months of back and forth with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding changes and refinement of the stormwater management system, we received their approval and a permit to build Greensward Hamlet.  We are now all set to start the site work and construction of Phase I, which consists of twenty homes in two buildings. 

Construction will start as soon as we have five units sold. 

GOOD NEWS  ~ JUNE 10, 2008

Last night Steve Bradstreet did a great job presenting the changes and additional information that the Buxton Planning Board had requested at the May 27th meeting.  I again described co-housing and Greensward Hamlet in particular.  The Board approved Greensward Hamlet Co-housing Community project with a 3 to 1 vote after a one-hour public hearing in which abutters expressed their concerns.  Some abutters were satisfied with the answers they received and wished us success.  A few could not be convinced that we would not have significant impact to them as neighbors.   

Our next step is a DEP public hearing on Tuesday, June 17th.    We do not anticipate any difficulties as the community site is on dry land, the septic systems are well designed, and we are having no significant impact on surrounding wetlands.

In the meantime, I plan to attend the Co-Housing Conference the 12th – 15th.  I have reserved a table to distribute brochures and other information.

Planning Board Meeting ~ May 27, 2008

Below is a speech I presented to the Planning Board tonight in response to community concerns about the projoect.

Members of the Planning Board and Buxton residents:

        In response to the rumors around town that an old, weird woman is trying to build a "hippie commune" in Buxton, I'd like to take some time, if I may, to explain the concept of co-housing and specifically describe Greensward Hamlet, our proposed co-housing community that is being reviewed this evening.

        The co-housing lifestyle started in Denmark in the 1970's – after the commune movement failed.  It was the strong need for individual expression and independence that caused the commune lifestyle to fail.  What co-housing has in common with communes and other intentional communities like monasteries and convents is that resources are shared and it attracts like-minded people who want to live in a supportive community.  It differs from communes in that every resident owns their own homes and support themselves and their lifestyles financially.   Finances are not shared in co-housing communities, but every owner contributes their share of expenses through monthly assessments.   Living together in a close-knit community has many benefits not only for the individual residents but also for the environment.  In a co-housing community, the infrastructure, tools, equipment, utilities, space and other common elements of the development are shared, thus reducing the cost of living for the residents and limiting the use of natural and unnatural resources.

        I like to say that at GREENSWARD HAMLET we are “going back” to the way life used to be and, as we say in Maine, "the way life should be" – an old-fashioned neighborhood where people know each other, look out for each other and take care of our planet.

        It is a well-known fact that people are happier, healthier, more productive, and live longer 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 co-housing concept.  This collaborative approach to housing and community building has grown exponentially in the United States over the past 20 to 30 years and has proven to be an increasingly desirable lifestyle as people find themselves living further and further away from their nuclear families and having difficulty making ends meet financially.  Co-housing communities provide the type of support that used to be the domain of nuclear and extended families. There are now an estimated 900 such communities throughout North America that are listed on www.cohousing.org/directory.  There is a 13-year-old co-housing community with 30 homes in Brunswick that is very successful.  There are several in neighboring New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  Most every state now has some cohousing communities.  Canada also has numerous co-housing communities.  All of Europe is way ahead of us in this type of collaborative housing and in energy conservation. 

        I believe it is no longer enough to live in a community that supports us socially and emotionally. 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 “green” and “zero energy” homes.  No more excuses.  The newest co-housing communities all over the world are all building this way.  Greensward Hamlet is dedicated to a sustainable lifestyle that nurtures our souls and offers hope to future generations.  We invite residents from all walks of life, all ages, religions, races, family composition, and personal lifestyles.  We plan to live mindfully and cooperatively within the community and in the larger community of Buxton.

We join Al Gore, scientists, and other world leaders in our commitment to reducing the depletion of our natural resources, reversing the effects of global warming, stabilizing climate change, and finding the right balance to live in harmony with nature.  I recently attended a conference sponsored by the United Nations that addressed the state of our planet.  It is very clear to scientists and world leaders that we can no longer continue the destructive path of our current lifestyles.  The United States is way behind other countries in making lifestyle changes to reduce our carbon footprint.  Scientists are recommending that people all over the world reduce their consumption of meat by 50 %; that we give up high gas consumption vehicles in favor of electric or hybrid vehicles; that we use public transportation or carpools; that we use alternatives to fossil fuels to heat our homes; that we consume locally grown foods and manufactured goods; and on and on…..  In this effort, the Greensward Hamlet project will feature the following "green" elements:

The Site Layout will maintain the natural contours of the land and minimize any ecological disturbance while maximizing the use of solar energy and shared infrastructure.  Lot 147 is 30 acres, and we will build on about ten acres, leaving the remaining 20 acres natural, with nature trails.

          We will relocate plants that need to be removed for road and building construction and use them to create buffers between neighbors when feasible.  (We've already started this.) We will Shread 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 and 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 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.                                               

         Electricity will be generated with photovoltaic panels and wind power for the common house and hopefully 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 in the buildings or on the landscape.  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.

              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 share a farmer's porch, courtyard, herbal/flower gardens, storage, outdoor clothes drying areas

           There will be ample resident and visitor parking spaces and extra 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.  My pick up truck will become a community vehicle 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. We hope to have a labyrinth for individual and group walking meditations,  seating areas for visiting and relaxing in nature and a fire pit for community picnics and evening gatherings (we’ll likely do some drumming – but we won't be doing drugs, I can assure you). 

The Community Building will be a place for socialization and community meetings/events and shared meals. We'll have a large dining area, kitchen and entertainment area.  It will feature a playroom for children, a game room for teens and adults, a community library of shared books, CDs, and DVDs.  It will also have a community laundry, exercise room, meditation room, some multipurpose rooms 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.  There will be space for home offices for those who want to move their service-oriented work to their homes.  For example, I plan to move my practice of psychology back to Buxton; a psychiatrist is interested in moving into the community and practicing there as well.  I've had inquiries from other alternative health practitioners, including social workers, massage therapists and energy healers who want to live in this type of community. 

         I've assembled a great team of professionals, and I've been having focus groups with people who are interested and supportive of sustainable building.  This project is being planned by a group of intelligent and creative people.  Greensward Hamlet will be a model project for other developers to consider.  It is listed on the co-housing directory on the Internet.  This listing has generated numerous inquiries from people in Maine, other parts of New England and across the country.  Four units are currently committed and four other people are seriously considering buying.  I have complete faith that we will fill the 20 units within two years.

        Before I turn this over to the experts, I want to take a few more minutes to assure the residents of Buxton that Greensward Hamlet will be a beautifully designed and well-constructed up-scale community of respectable, decent people who want to live in a harmonious environment and who have a lot to offer to the town of Buxton.  The development will enhance the neighborhood, raise property values, preserve the integrity of the land and will bring some notoriety and tax revenue to Buxton.  Residents at Greensward Hamlet will offer services as well as social and educational opportunities to the citizens of Buxton.

          I commend the planning board for their vision in supporting this type of sustainable development.  I'm also pleased that some other town officials share my concern about the depletion of our natural resources and support the project.

          I fully understand that the land we are building on has in the past been used by neighbors for hunting, snowmobiling, and dirt biking and that there is significant opposition to my building on this particular piece of land. I sympathize with those who are fearful of this development - I grew up in a small farm community in northern Maine myself and I never liked to see changes in the neighborhood, especially those created by outsiders.  I have actively fought against the cutting of our forests in northern Maine, and I am philosophically opposed to subdivision developments that use up a lot of land and do not offer a sense of community for the residents.  That is why I have chosen to develop in the way that I just presented to you.  Buxton has been my home for seven years now and I enjoy the quiet location of my former home and my land. I am trying to be sensitive to the feelings of our neighbors and honor their sense of loss along with their fear of being invaded by a group of "hippies."  Again, I want to assure you we are successful, intelligent professionals who understand and are concerned about the precarious state of our planet and who will tread lightly on the land.  Lot 147 is the only piece of land that I own.  It was happenstance that I bought that land.  I had no intention of developing it when I bought it.  But my personal circumstances have changed, the world has changed, and I feel compelled to take action in promoting the continuation of our natural resources so our children and grandchildren will also be able to enjoy our planet. I feel blessed to have the land and the means to create a responsible and sustainable community right here in Buxton.  I will live in the community, as will both my daughters.  I regret that people will no longer be permitted to use that land for hunting and motorized vehicles, but I hope they will continue to enjoy it for walking, skiing, and snowshoeing. 

          I am consulting with our neighbors, to the extent possible, in creating a natural buffer so their sense of privacy and isolation in the countryside is preserved.  I encourage them to communicate their feelings and concerns directly to me so that we can work together to create a peaceful, harmonious neighborhood.

          I hope that our neighbors and other residents of Buxton will accept our invitation to visit, share meals with us, and participate in some of our educational and social events.  Our nature trails and labyrinth will be available to Buxton residents and accessible from the parking lot by the common building. 

         Thank you for your time.  I'll be happy to answer any questions after you hear from other members of our planning team.

Fourth Focus Group ~ May 24, 2008

A big thank you to those who came to the fourth focus group on May 24th.  We had a full agenda, and we managed to get through it.

We discussed LEED certification.  It was the consensus of the group that if we can recoup the cost with rebates we should go ahead and have all the units certified.  No decision was made regarding certification of the common house because we do not have enough information on the cost.  Since there is only one company that does the certification, we cannot comparison shop, so we will attempt to negotiate a fair price with Fore Solution.

We discussed the heat system again.  We do not have all the figures yet, so we don't know if we'll use geothermal exclusively or solar hot water exclusively or a combination of both.  I brought information on residential wind turbines.  We will look into the feasibility of using one, possibly in combination with photovoltaic collectors for the common house.

We looked at exterior and interior sprayed concrete finishes that look like stucco – they are beautiful!  We looked at shingles made of recycled rubber; they look like slate and come in several colors.  Everyone liked that better than metal. 

Update ~ March 19, 2008
 
Yesterday, I spend most of the day with Robin and Phil (our architects), and I think we made a lot of progress.  We met with Werner Brandmaier,   a geopathic stress and Feng Shui consultant.  It was very interesing and helpful.  As a result of this consultation, we made the following changes:
 
1.  We modified the site plan, relocating the septic fields from the center of the greensward to the periphery of the community.  Steve (our engineer) had already talked to Jim (our septic designer) about this.  With Werner's insight, I want to move in that direction even if it means we will have to use a pump system to move the matter and will have to mound the fields.  I'm glad to be moving the "caca" out of the center - it did not feel good to me.  As Werner said, the greensward is the center and power spot where we need to have an element that is uplifting and attracts the residents.  A septic field there would drain the energy of the place - not good!
 
2.  Another slight change to the site plan is the reorientation of the buildings so they create a stornger connection to the common house.  It is a very slight change that really animates the place.
 
3.  We modified the floor plans to give more strength and definition of spaces while keeping it open.  When you walk into the house from the Greensward, there will be a defined space both outside and inside - for a pause.  There will be a place to hang coats and leave shoes/boots.  The same is true for the front entrance, which will be more dramatic.  We placed the kitchen back to the center where it was in the original plan and made it in a U shape so one can look outside to the greensward when preparing food and washing dishes.  We checked out the view from the distance the kitchen will be and it's not a problem to see the goings-on on the greensward.  The kitchen appliances are placed in a triangle and the pantry is easily accessible.  There is space for a bar/counter for those who want to add extra seating.   The arrangement places the living room where there is the most light.
 
4.  We modified the exterior design.  We will be using the design we picked out on Saturday.  Everyone at the table liked the European flare with the soft curves.  From a Feng Shui perspective, Werner did not like the center unit being one story - the strength of a building is its center, so that center unit should be the same height or highter than the rest of the building.  To correct that, we have expanded the one-story unit to the same roofline as the two-story units.  It will have a cathedral ceiling in the living room area and attic storage in the rest.  This same approach can be used for the 500 sq ft in-law apartment/studio/office space.
 
5.  We identified a space for the mechanics of the geothermal system and whatever other utility will be needed -- attached to in-law units or the single bedroom units. 
 
6.  I've asked Robin to design each unit type as a separate entity so the configuration of each building may vary depending on what unit type and placement buyers would prefer.
 
7.  The exterior style we like, with the flared roofline, was common in the early settlement of Quebec - in the 1600s.  I am trying to gather more information about this architectural style.  There is one of these houses in the St. John Valley and I've contacted the owners for information.  They saw it first on Ile d'Orleans outside of Quebec City. 
 
Here are answer to some questions that came up at our 3rd focus group on Saturday:
 
The one-bedroom units will not have anyone above them - it's not good Feng Shui.
 
The metal roofs do have negative energy drain, but we can correct it with a geopathic instrument on a wall.  Metal is more expensive, but it never has to be replaced.  There are some nice patterns and colors to choose from.
 
The poly for the walkway cover will be slanted for snow to slide off.  It does turn yellow after 15-16 years and will have to be replaced.  The advantage of using the poly instead of wood or metal is that it allows the sun in for passive solar heat.  Phil assures me it will look nice.  
 
That's it for today.  I'll post the new site plan and floor plans as soon as they are ready, and will look forward to your feedback.  
 
Françoise
 
Third Focus Group ~ March 15, 2008

Today we welcomed Bob to our core community group.  Bob is from Dover, New Hampshire and is looking for a quiet cohousing community – we certainly have the right spot for him. 

We discussed three agenda items: Exterior Design, Heating System, and Floor Plans.

Four of us unanimously chose Exterior Design D because of its soft curves and European look.  We discussed adding a semi-circular window on top of the regular windows on the gabled part of the building – we love that light; softening the sharp edges of the straight roofs; extending the eaves of the gable to give it more of a French style roof, and eliminating the common screen porch at the end of the building.  We would rather have a large screened porch at the common house to promote community among all residents.   The front patios, the open garages, and walk from the garage to the house seem to be sufficient to promote interaction among folks in the 4 units.   There was some hesitancy about the clear plexi cover – wonder if it will hold the snow, if it will turn yellow with age, how it will look on a wooden or stone house.  There was also some concern about metal roofs as a negative feng shui element.  We'll have to balance it with the other elements.   

We also discussed reversing the left side so the 2 gables are in the center, divided by the central, one-level space.

The center one-level space could be a one-bedroom unit or it could be an in-law apartment or studio or workshop.  If it is a one-level, one-bedroom unit, one unit would have to be removed from this sketch.  Or perhaps, there could be 2 one-level, one-bedroom units in the center and 2 3-bedroom units with the gables at both ends.  Not knowing who will live there and what space they would want, it is difficult to make these decisions.  It is therefore important to make the units interchangeable on the concrete slab.  Each building might have a different configuration depending on people's space needs.

Everyone agreed that geothermal with ganged systems is ideal, and we look forward to having more details about it.  Making the cost of running the pumps part of the condo fee was not a problem with any of us since it means less expense in stalling the system and no direct heating bills.

The Floor plans were again discussed at length.  It's good to see more storage space on the revised floor plans and in the garages.  We did not discuss storage in the attic – I forgot about it.  But the attics will be accessible from the 2nd story for lots of storage.  I suggested that, as an exercise, we each take the floor plans and modify them to our ideal plan.  Then we can see how similar or different our dreams are.  We debated whether the kitchen should be more in the center of the living area as it was first presented to us, so the living room can look out either on the greensward or the woods.  Two didn't care about the location, and two favored the first set of plans.

Debra and I discussed the Common House again after Sue and Bob left.  We're rethinking the number of offices and guest rooms.  Maybe start smaller and add on if there is more demand.  People may want a home office in their unit as an add-on.  We both agreed those of us who will see clients in our home offices should be located at the Common House, as we discussed last time, to protect the privacy of residents and clients.

It was another productive meeting.  I look forward to the next

Favored Exterior Design 

 

 

Our Second Focus Group February 23, 2008 
  

 Susan, Debra and Elizabeth 

Four women with vision and two  pioneering builders gathered at my office this morning to take a crack at planning our common house.  We made a list of all the spaces we would need/want and then decided where they should be located in the building.  We had interesting, exciting exchanges and debates and ended with a plan that everyone agreed on and is excited about - our census process has started!  Now it will be up to our architects to design it and our builders to manifest it.  So here is the run down:

A semi circular building with basement and two rectangular wings attached in a V formation (Phil actually suggested it a while back).  The group liked the looks of it. The circular part will be mostly glass and will face south and west so we can watch the sunset as we dine or hang out.  It will look onto the greensward of the community.  The wings will be on the northeast side close to the parking lot.  This will keep clients completely away from the community.

The basement will house:  exercise room, playroom, game room, workshop space, 2 guest rooms separated from the noisy activity by a concrete wall, bathrooms with showers that guests can use, and storage space

The exercise, play, game rooms and workshop space will be separated only by half walls so parents can watch their children while they work out or play pool.

Guest rooms will have murphy beds and can be used for other purposes -i.e. childcare, crafts, etc. when not in use by guests.

The first floor of the circular building will house the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, dining room/ living room with a fireplace in the center.  This should encourage residents to come hang out in the common house.  The dining tables will be set up around the circular living room space.  Window seats will be a great place to sit and watch the activities of the community or gaze at the stars and moon.

The West Wing will house five home offices with receptionist and waiting room, and a small bathroom.  Office equipment will be shared. This wing will have its own entrance so clients do not enter the community space.  Offices will be available to residents for a higher condo fee - we're thinking it will be a Wellness Center.  There is already interest from a psychologist (me), a psychiatrist, a social worker, a shamanic healer, an energy healer who are interested in the community and the office space.

The East Wing will house a meditation room, library/computer room, 2 healing rooms where community members can exchange services i.e. massage.  These will have a folding wall to create one large room for group sessions. (laundry and bathroom may be housed in this wing)

In the center of these two wings will be the entrance with mailboxes, cubbies, coat racks, community bulletin board, milling around space.  We decided the mailboxes should be at the common house to create opportunity for socialization. 

Our goal was to create beautiful, comfortable space where residents would want to spend time together and bring their guests to hang out.  It will be beautiful space for shared meals, community meetings, family gatherings, special events, and educational activities.

We cannot use "Greensward Hamlet" for our street name because it is too close to another street names in Buxton (Greenridge) so we discussed possible names, but did not come to a consensus:  some favored suggestions were:

Hamlet Road – Hamlet Drive – Soul Circle Drive – Soul Path – Inspired Way – Inspired Path – Gaia Road – Yellow Road – Spirit Way – Sylvan Path – Aura Place – Compassion Drive – Sustainable Way – Earth Circle – Earth Path

If you have any ideas please send them forth.  

We looked at the preliminary floor plans and discussed an attached 500 sq ft "in law" apartment as an option for end units.  This was well received.

We also discussed heat source, which is being explored by the builders and architects at this time.  The group was most interested in passive and active solar, geothermal, and radiant heat.  Elizabeth's experience of building and living in a fossil free, off grid home was inspiring and convincing.  The group was not keen on a system that requires tending or that uses fossil fuels.  There is clear consensus on being fossil free.  We also discussed the possibility of being off grid.  We decided that the builders and I will gather information from various sources and ask for proposals to be discussed at another focus group.  It will be decided by consensus of future residents.  We will also explore the possibility of getting grants.  Debra forwarded info on Home Depot Foundation, which gives grants for green building projects.  I will research this source and others.

After Troy and Patrick, our builders, left, the women continued the discussion.  We discussed building materials for interior and exterior.  We discussed polished concrete floors, terra cotta tile, cork, bamboo, and carpeting.  Census was no carpeting.  Exteriors of stone or stamped cement were discussed.  We got all excited about those two and never got to discuss other possibilities.

There is so much more to discuss at the next focus group.

I have completed all the legal documents "condo declaration" "bylaws" "condo description" "purchase sale agreement" etc.  I plan to have my attorney review them next week.  If anyone would like to review them, I am happy to email them to you.

That's it for tonight. A great thank you to Sue, Elizabeth, Debra, Patrick, and Troy for their valuable contributions.  Thanks also to Patricia who could not make it to the meeting but sent her input, which was consistent with all of the above.

Our First Focus Group ~ February 7, 2008
 
Last night's focus group was fun and very helpful.  Thanks to those who made it.  Although it was a small group, we got some important feedback.  And, of course, O'Natural's soup and sandwiches were wonderful.  

I presented the latest rendition of the site plan, and it was well received.  Folks especially liked the "drying courts" (clotheslines); the dog park; the adventure playground, the landscape amphitheatre, the community garden, herb/flower gardens, parking/garages on the periphery, drive courts for attached garages, and the central greensward.  No elements were contested.  So, the plan was forwarded to Steve, the engineer, this morning.  He will design the road, rainwater treatment, etc and pass it on to Jim Logan to design the septic systems/leach fields.    We will be ready to take it back to the planning board on March 10.

Phil and Robin, our dedicated architects, presented two floor plans, one slightly smaller than the other.  We had some good debates about size, heat source, and whether to have a basement or not.  It was hard for me and for one of the builders to conceive of living in a house without a basement.  Phil focused us on the intent of the community - affordability, usable space, heatability.  It really is a tough one for us in New England who are so used to having basements for storage and extra living space.  We reminded ourselves that all the elements we usually have in basements:  furnace, hot water tanks, oil tanks, laundry, exercise room, family room will be in the common house.  Extra storage will be available in longer garages with attics as well as shared storage space for larger items like bikes, kayaks, and other playthings.   We had a debate about shared laundry within each 4-unit dwelling.  The consensus was that each unit should have the option of their own laundry - this is especially important for young families who do a lot of laundry and older folks who may not wish to carry laundry outside their unit.  So there will be a space and hook-ups for stackable washer/dryer in each unit.  

The plan is for five dwellings of four units each.  The units will range from 960 sq ft to 1600 sq ft.  There will be a "light box" from the row of four garages to the individual units.  This will allow opportunities for residents to meet and chat.  This is also where there will be laundry facility and storage.  There is also a light box or screened porch in the front of the units and a solarium on the corner.  It's very interesting, attractive and functional.  Although this first phase of plans looks boxy, they will not be.  The units will be creatively staggered and the light boxes will by curvy.  The Solarium on the corner will be large, round, and all glass.  The main floor is all open with bedrooms on 2nd floor in one plan and there is one bedroom or office space on the first floor on the other plan.  We're planning on five one-bedroom units, five to ten 2-bedroom units, and fie to ten 3-bedroom units.  Of course it will driven by the need and demand of residents. 

According to town regs each unit can have an attached 500 sq ft "in-law apt," so that will be an option for the end units.  These units can also be attached to another building on the property, and the planning board has approved having guest rooms and office space in the common house.  This is a big deal.  It reduces the space needs for individual households.  My thought is to have two guest rooms and three home offices in the common building. 

Monday night the builders and I are meeting with the guys who install geothermal heat systems.  I will get to see a house with the system installed - the pump, meter, etc. 

Look Who Was There: 
 

 Architect, Phil Kaplan, showing the floor plans 

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