Or you might be interested in the website for the Intentional Communities Association , who publish Communities Magazine . Design Considerations for Successful Cohousing Cohousing is usually designed as clustered multifamily housing where each home is self sufficient, with private living, dining, and kitchen areas. Unlike housing built by a developer, a single cohousing project may have many unit types, ranging from studios to four or five bedrooms. Cohousing is often designed with more compact and efficient living units in order to leave as much open space for natural areas, gardens and recreation as possible. Parking is segregated to the edge of the community, or possibly under the buildings, as at Trillium Hollow.
Pedestrian circulation is designed to encourage interaction with neighbors.
Private entries are located off pedestrian streets, pathways, and courtyards, allowing for a safe environment for children as well as gathering places for adults. Since prioritizing the common uses is done by the residents prior to construction, rarely does a common house include personal recreational uses. Residents often choose to include amenities such as a kitchen and dining area, children's play areas, a library or lounge, and workshop facilities. As a matter of legal and financial convenience, most cohousing communities in North America have chosen the condominium legal ownership structure, known as strata title in Canada. This is due, primarily, to the expectations of lenders.