Cohousing: Sustainable Neighborhoods for the Future

Fresno Cohousing, by McCamant & Durrett Architects

Architect Charles Durrett argues that the friendlier and more fun a neighborhood is, the greener the lifestyle and the smaller the footprint. Durrett will share strategies for changing the way that we make neighborhoods during a presentation about cohousing at the University of Oregon on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

Cohousing is a form of collaborative housing in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods. Cohousing communities consist of private homes that contain all the features of conventional homes, but residents also have access to extensive common amenities such as open space and a common house for shared activities. A major aspect of cohousing is social sustainability, in addition to environmental and economic sustainability.

There are more than one hundred completed cohousing communities in North America, with hundreds more in various phases of development. The presentation will be a perfect opportunity to learn more about how cohousing communities benefit their residents, their cities, and the environment.

Along with his wife Kathryn McCamant, Durrett is co-author of "Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves." His cohousing design awards include the United Nations "World Habitat Award" and the National Association of Homebuilders “Best Smart Growth Neighborhood in the U.S.” He has been featured in Time magazine, The New York Times, and Architecture magazine.

Durrett’s presentation includes a slide show and is sponsored by the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts. The October 28 lecture will occur in Room 182 of Lillis Hall, on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene. It will begin at 5:45 PM, and is free and open to the public.