Project Intent: very affordable desired housing with an integrated neighborhood support system.

Intentional Community

An intentional community is a planned residential development that is designed off the idea of generating a strong sense of social cohesion and teamwork. Typically the communities are run as a democracy, with decision making being done through voting. The benefits of living within this kind of development is not only the programmatic vitability of a social group, but also allows for a small community that is able to work together to help out one another. This kind of assistance is extremely beneficial in affordable housing, as typically the residents are in jobs were they are required to work long hours in order to pay bills.

Low-income communities are plaqued by the fact that all areas of life become a struggle, not simply paying rent. By alleviating some concerns and costs through a community working together, life is made easier and makes it possible to afford time and money to invenst into one’s living condition.

Community Facilities

The community-focused develop is such that it serves primarily to support the needs of the residents who are part of the cooperative. The individual dwelling units are purposely designed around a minimum base for many features such as kitchen space and gathering areas. By supplying these functions in a group setting, it not only lowers construction and operating costs, but it enforces the communal bond by providing opportunities for interation and limiting time spent in private areas. Designed within this community is a kitchen and laundry area, as well as a outdoor covered gathering space that connects the two. Secondary to this purpose, by allowing people outside of the cooperative to use these facilities, it becomes a revenue generator that can support maintance, repairs or other costs within the community.