Habitat Re•Imagined

Sustainable Community

Platinum “Net Zero” Green Building Certification

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I’m excited to announce that our latest house in Echo Hills Cottages just qualified for the Platinum level of Green Built Certification. The owner added an array of solar collectors, which pushed our very energy efficient homes to a new level of certification as a “Net Zero “energy home.

As all of our homes, this house starts with ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) for the lower level and SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) above grade. We finish off with spray foam insulation on the roof and very efficient windows and doors. Most windows face south for passive solar gain, and heating and cooling is accomplished through a Mitsubishi mini-split system.

The house also has a footprint of only 1000 sq. ft. and is creatively designed for efficient use of space. It is also beautiful and quality crafted in every way – check it out.

 

Development Update at Echo Hills Cottages

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As usual, it has been quite some time since I posted an update to this blog. Well, one reason is that there has been a lot going on with the development of Echo Hills Cottages. Since my last post we completed the 4th and 5th house, completed putting together an orientation workshop for Nurturing a Cooperative Culture, and finished our long overdue website for Echo Hills Cottages.

Hopefully, I’ll follow up with a post with more details later but, for now, here is a snapshot of the last three houses that we completed.

Laurie and I moved into 2 Wellspring Ln in February of last year. which is 1470 sq. ft. and includes a studio apartment in the lower level.

 

John moved into 5 Wellspring in August, which is 1300 sq. ft. and includes a workshop in his lower level

 

Shealy moved into 10 Wellspring in December, which is 1000 sq. ft. and is divided with living area on upper level and sleeping on lower level – and then added a solar system that is estimated to supply over 90% of her power!

We also just staked the location for next house which will be 900 sq. ft., again divided with living area on upper level and sleeping on lower. I hope to break ground the beginning of August, with completion in spring. This house will be available to lease with the option to purchase.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to check out the information and photos on the new website for Echo Hills Cottages.

Intentional Community in Asheville

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communitycandleThe exploration of intentional community in Asheville has many expressions. With the creative and progressive energy that fuels so much of Asheville’s charm, community building is a central theme and has many applications.

Intentional community means different things to different people, and the meaning can evolve over time. Often beginning with our human need for connection and/or an idealistic vision for social change, the experience of living together shapes the evolution.

My personal meaning has simplified and solidified over the many years I’ve been exploring. For me, “intentional community” is defined by those who show up and offer their passion and resources, and then clarify the intention of what they co-create, together.

Intentional community in Asheville is defined in many ways by those building it on the ground. In addition to our own expression at Echo Hills Cottages, the team at Habitat Re-Imagined is committed to supporting the multitude of expressions. With experience and credentials in real estate, construction, development, and the relational aspects of community building, we offer services to existing or forming communities, and can help individuals find the community that best fits their interests and needs.

Our recent collaboration, WNC Community Network, is an effort to network among existing communities, as well as to serve those interested in finding the expression of community that is their best fit. To help us meet your needs and learn where your interests lie, we have developed a brief survey for those living in or interested in intentional community in Asheville. We would appreciate your input and, when we receive your completed survey, you will be given access to our developing WNC Communities List and more information about our network. You can access the survey here

If you’re not a member already, please join our Creating Intentional Community Meetup and/or Facebook group and stay in the loop about intentional community in Asheville – and beyond.

CoHousing in Asheville

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pocket-neighborhoodThe cohousing movement, a form of intentional community which began in Denmark, was brought to the United States in the 1980’s. It has grown significantly over the years, and there is intention for exponential growth in the coming years. Cohousing in Asheville, a city with a variety of intentional community experiments, consists of only one official cohousing projects – Westwood Cohousing in West Asheville.

The original movement involves building community among potential members starting with predevelopment concerns. Potential members gather to envision what their community will look like, to scope out potential land, and to work together to bring the project to fruition.

Although this can be a successful approach to community development, it is fraught with potential problems. Failure is common due to differing values and expectations, the lack of relational skills and tools, and the need for difficult decision making. Last I heard, only about 1 in 7 project attempts get built.

Influenced by the cohousing movement, “pocket neighborhoods” have become an alternative for developer driven projects. These cohousing style of communities are often designed, developed, and built by professionals and then sold to seekers of intentional community. Although this eliminates some of the problems, it creates others. Often, with idealistic vision, new owners spend years in frustration establishing common ground and an effective decision making process.

Along with these two established models, there are many hybrid methods for developing cohousing style projects. Echo Hills Cottages is an attempt to develop a hybrid approach to cohousing in Asheville. Our approach combines the best practices of traditional cohousing and pocket neighborhoods. Our approach includes foundational parameters for design and building, along with the incorporation of skills and tools for co-creating a collaborative culture. At the same time, we are focused on establishing a cohesive core group of people that work together for the common good, intent on cultivating the culture of the neighborhood we want to live in.

For more information, check out the websites for Pocket Neighborhoods and the Cohousing Association. Also, feel free to contact me about cohousing in Asheville or specifically about the hybrid model of Echo Hills Cottages.

Rental Opportunities at Echo Hills Cottages

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A component of our intention in developing Echo Hills Cottages is to provide rental opportunities for those that want to live in community but can’t or are not interested in purchasing real estate.

We currently have a two story 1365 sq. ft. home that we lease, and will offer a lease to purchase opportunity if interested.

ModelHouse_frontBesides the spec_kitchen2_edited-1open living / kitchen / dining area and master bedroom, the house is designed with the option for additional bedroom areas or studio / workshop space. The house is also designed to accommodate shared living with an option for a self contained suite on the lower level.

Let us know if you have been dreaming of community living and would like to explore joining a great core group of people. We use the Blueprint of We to align our needs and expectations, compassionate communication in our relationships, and consent based participation in decision making.

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Contact us for more information on this and other opportunities in Echo Hills. We will have another 570 sq. ft. apartment available for rent in late late summer or fall of 2016.

 

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