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.

Shared Housing at Echo Hills Cottages

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We’re moving along nicely with development of our “intentional” neighborhood. Three homes are completed and occupied. Another home is just about done and will be occupied by mid July. Our fifth is well on it’s way and we hope to have the owner in this fall.

Another current project is transforming our community house into a shared housing model, providing three individuals the opportunity to rent in our community. With the lower level self-contained studio suite occupied, we’re turning our attention to the main floor. By the first of August, 2017, the two bedrooms will be filled and we will continue the process of developing our relationships based on the principles and tools that we have been working on and putting into place as the foundation for this “intentional” neighborhood.

 EHC Community House

We will begin with each renter completing their own Blueprint of We. This will give us the foundation for creating the relationships we each are comfortable with, and assist us in navigating our shared space by aligning our values, needs and expectations. For me, there are three “tools” I’m very excited to begin using with our group. Those are Mindfulness, Conscious Communication and Heart Coherence. Of course, whenever we gather to discuss and work on decisions that need to be made, we’ll use the consent process of sociocracy.

Watch for future posts on our shared housing journey at Echo Hills.

Kathleen

The Glenway House

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Before Echo Hills Cottages, there was “The Glenway House.” We were given the opportunity to transform a 3500 sq.ft  house, in a great North Asheville neighborhood, into a shared home for up to five adults. This wonderful house was a near perfect canvas to co-create this win / win solution. It was easily transformed into three independent suites of 450 to 650 square feet, each with a full bath, along with a bedroom with shared bath. It also had a large amount of common space, including a kitchen/dining/living area with fireplace, a great screened in porch, and potential studio / shop space. At the time, the house had an owner that was excited about the opportunity to relieve the stress of a deflated real estate market while meeting the needs of a great group of people.

The Glenway House

To insure the best possible experience for everyone, we established this household on a foundation that encourages healthy communication. We began with the Blueprint of We – for our relationship with the owner as well as the relationships between the residents. We facilitated monthly meetings with the residents, using the consent based decision making of Dynamic Governance (sociocracy) and the principles of compassionate communication. Laurie and I participated in this household until our cottage community project was up and running.

Ron 

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.

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