Habitat Re•Imagined

Sustainable Community

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.

Baker_photo1

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.

 

An update on Echo Hills Cottages… after another long hiatus

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My energy has been focused on our development project since we broke ground at Echo Hills Cottages, leaving little left for blogging and other interests. I mentioned in my last post that we were switching gears from building our model home to working on the development issues. What I thought would be a couple months turned into the better part of a year dealing with city permitting, legal issues, and completing most of the infrastructure. I think we are almost there.

The development permitting is finished, our HOA agreements are in place, and the water and sewer extensions are ready to be connected to. We have our model home under contract, and the next house is permitted and we are just about ready to break ground. We also have a great core group of people involved in creating community, and are ready to add more people.

Now, after having the bulk of development issues dealt with, it’s time to get on to other things. Hopefully, you will hear more from me as we move along.

 

It’s Been a Busy Year

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After more than six months since breaking ground, the model house at Echo Hills Cottages is in the finishing stages. Fighting the weather, we completed the foundation by early spring and have since moved forward with relative smooth sailing. We have now slowed down the finish work, and are starting to show the house to folks who have indicated interest in the project. We are also shifting our primary attention to work on the many aspects of infrastructure and community development that we need in place prior to selling. Let us know if you would like a preview.

Here are some features:

  • DSC03840_21360 Sq. Ft. open floor plan
  • Creative design with custom options
  • R25 ICF foundation (insulated concrete forms)
  • R27 SIP walls (structural insulated panels)
  • Low E and low infiltration vinyl windows
  • Stucco exterior and metal roof
  • Custom green built cabinets
  • European energy efficient appliances
  • Mini split heating and coolingDSC03861
  • Tankless water heater
  • Bamboo flooring in living area
  • Large tile shower
  • Private rear deck
  • Non toxic paints and materials
  • Earth tone colors
  • Green Built “gold’ certified
  • Net Zero Energy Ready

Here are some highlights of the various phases of construction:

DSC03395 DSC03432 DSC03547 DSC03540 DSC03574 DSC03596 DSC03715 DSC03766

 

 

Breaking Ground at Echo Hills Cottages

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After being hung up in permitting for several months, we got the green light around the beginning of the year and broke ground on the first house in our pocket neighborhood in Asheville. Although January isn’t an ideal time of the year for starting new construction, we were able to work between frost and rain to get the footings in. It’s slow moving but our excitement is mounting and we are ready to start construction of the ICF (insulated concrete forms) foundation.

A3ModelHome_frontviewThe front of this model home faces a wooded courtyard which will be surrounded by four additional cottages. The rear view overlooks  a natural area which will be preserved for a park like community area.

A3ModelHome_firstfloorThe cottage is 800 sq. ft. on the first floor with a living/kitchen/dining area, along with a master suite. The bathroom is accessed from the living area as well as the bedroom. A3ModelHome_lowerlevelThe lower level is just over 500 sq.ft and is designed for flexible use. This level will be customized for individual needs to serve as additional family bedrooms, a studio or workshop, or a rental suite.

We are enjoying the movement of creative juices and imagining who might be our neighbor. If this sounds like home, let us know.

The Collaborative Culture at Echo Hills Cottages

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I recently put together a document related to the culture we intend to nurture in the intentional neighborhood of Echo Hills Cottages. I thought I would share it here and would love to hear your response.

Introduction:

Echo Hills Cottages is an “intentional” pocket neighborhood of small green built homes. We support trusting and respectful relationships, along with open communication, for meaningful interpersonal connection and a collaborative governance.

Rather than an ideal definition of community, we believe that true community is the collaborative result of our collective intention. We encourage the following key principles as a foundation to establish that intention and to nurture a culture of collaboration. For more information about these principles and the tools for facilitation, please see A CoCreative Path

Intention:

Clear personal intention is a prerequisite for effective collaboration and is established through mindful awareness. This requires the attitude of an observer to explore beliefs, emotions, assumptions, perceptions, needs, motivation, etc. It also requires the willingness to engage with others without judgment, as well as an awareness of the control issues and dysfunctional patterns we tend to gravitate toward in conflict.

Connection:

Relational connection is the result of conscious and compassionate communication as we listen for understanding, express empathy, and create intimacy. It first requires listening as an observer to move beyond judgment based on personal experience and beliefs. It also requires authenticity and compassion in our speech.

Alignment:

Interpersonal alignment is explored in self disclosure as we share vision, values, and expectations. It is established in transparency and clear agreements. It protects us from assumption and is part of the foundation for effective collaboration to be built upon.

Innovation:

Innovation is the result of collaborative synergy, and is established through participatory decision making. It is built on the foundation of agreement and in the context of interpersonal awareness and conscious communication.

Participatory decision making embraces conflict as a creative opportunity to address the competing perspectives, values, needs, and desires of everyone. It is a dynamic process rooted in the values of equivalence and transparency.

Again, you can find out more about these principle and tools for facilitation at A CoCreative Path.

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