What is Cohousing?
Cohousing is a collaborative, intentional community. Individual homes are privately owned, but the community as a whole is designed and built in a way that facilitates social networking, sustainability and security. Shared facilities allow members to interact naturally.
Since being introduced to North America from Europe in the early ’90s, cohousing complexes are being built across the country in increasing numbers. Cohousing is being widely acclaimed by social planners and academics all over the world as a smart and satisfying way of life.
While individual privacy is greatly respected in cohousing communities, members usually choose to participate in the social activities, and the governance of the Village.
Cohousing appeals to people seeking an alternative to typical single family homes, condominiums or apartments. Members benefit from a lowered cost of living as well as a feeling of belonging. See: history of cohousing
Our Community
The Fernwood Urban Villageis a neighbourhood of homeowners enjoying the benefits of shared social and physical resources. A sustainable and ecologically responsible lifestyle is a goal.
The efficient, purposeful design, and the large common areas of our complex allow a continually developing sense of community. Members own legal title to their private homes, and have full access to the shared facilities. Homes are set in an inward facing circle around a secure and inviting courtyard.
The heart of the Village is the community kitchen and dining area where group meals will be available, although any resident may choose to prepare meals in their own kitchen. The act of gathering food from the garden, cooking as a team, and sharing a meal helps build a community naturally, a hallmark of cohousing communities.
At the Village, our large common hall can be used as a multipurpose room for in-house concerts, yoga classes or community celebrations. Other common areas include a library/meeting space, workshops, media/music room, sitting areas, gardens, greenhouses and terraces. Storage for bicycles and kayaks is an integral part of our buildings.
Example of high-production food garden
High production vegetable beds, and colorful flower gardens are a planned component of the Village atmosphere. These may be maintained by residents who have an interest in organic gardening and permaculture methods. The sunny exposure and micro climate at our location enable a variety of fruits and vegetables to flourish.
In the interests of maintaining a healthy and vibrant community, the Village will be a smoke-free environment.
Architecture and Development see bird’s eye view of plan
We consulted cohousing experts and community professionals to prepare the Village’s original concept designs, allowing the Fernwood Urban Village’s architectural plans to be based on the best principles and practices of cohousing communities across North America. The detail drawings are in the hands of well known local architects, John Keay and associates. These professionals are sensitive to the needs of our community as well as the technical building and safety features required by the municipality.
Four main buildings will feature one and two bedroom units as well as studios. All buildings face a large common courtyard containing gardens and other shared spaces. Buildings are designed for energy efficiency and low monthly maintenance costs. Various environmental features and designs incorporate passive solar energy, as well as water and heat recapture.
Upon completion, the Village will be a 31 unit strata title development. A small number of the units will be rental, and all units will be efficiently sized between 350 – 1100 sq ft.
Our Village is designed to appeal to individuals and couples. Children are welcome as members of our community, however, at this point dedicated space for activities such as playgrounds, playrooms and so on, has not been planned. Grandchildren and friends are encouraged to participate, share food and become part of our extended family. Two guest rooms are available for short term stays.
The Village members want to support alternative modes of transportation by providing car-share, secure bikes lockers, and a bike-share system. The onsite parking has some car size restrictions designed to only accommodate today’s smaller, efficient vehicles. This innovative measure is much needed in the eyes of many.
We believe “green” building techniques should be expected of all developments. The Fernwood Urban Village will be incorporating many environmentally-friendly features, not just to meet externally imposed standards, but because we believe it is the right thing to do.
Our location
The Fernwood Urban Village is located in Victoria, BC at the corner of North Park and Chambers Street in the lively, rapidly evolving district of Fernwood in Victoria, BC.
Four large lots, totalling nearly 2/3 acre, have been assembled. This site is away from major traffic arterials, across from a public park and a community allotment garden.
We are on the rim of Victoria’s urban core. It’s an easy walk or bike to all of the city’s major workplaces and attractions such as the inner harbour, BC Legislature, Public Library, Chinatown and a variety of shopping destinations.
Historic and lively Fernwood Square is close by, hosting a variety of businesses including the Belfry Theatre and various art galleries. The Square is home to aesthetics, massage and hairdressing studios as well. A lawyer, architect and dentist can be found nearby. Eateries such as Uhu’s, Little Piggy’s Soul Food, the Fernwood Inn and the Cornerstone Cafe create a community ‘hub’ within the area. The locally famous ‘Fernwood Coffee Co’ is one block from the Village. This impressive list is always growing!
Because of our proximity to services and downtown, the Village encourages the use of bicycles and car-share. While residents may own a car, our internal parking spaces are designed to accommodate a limited number of smaller energy-efficient vehicles. Electric vehicles have charging stations. Sheds for kayaks and bikes are part of our common infrastructure.
History
The “Village” concept began in 2009 when a few neighbours decided to assemble their properties into a large parcel and start designing a cohousing complex. After much research, including hiring American cohousing consultants to lay out the conceptual plans, the plans moved forward and are now in the process of working with Victoria City Hall to obtain a Development Permit. Once this is obtained we will be in a position to begin the construction phase of the project. see Timeline.
We have hired a cohousing consultant/facilitator, Kylie Sandham (see profile) keeping us on track. Kylie’s role includes facilitating meetings, helping with community planning and organizational development. In addition, one of our members is an experienced developer who is guiding the plans through the city building process. Constructing the Village is a developer assisted cohousing project, an asset in achieving our common goals of constructing on time and on budget. See profile of developer.
Since we are a member driven organization our governance procedures take first priority. We are ruled by consensus decision making, using a model of governance that most successful cohousing communities employ. Members are currently forming committees to help design the way physical spaces will be used and to select modern technology that will lower strata costs and leave a lighter footprint on the planet.
Our Urban Location
The Fernwood Urban Village is located very close to Victoria’s urban core. It’s an easy walk or bike to all of the city’s major services, workplaces and attractions such as the inner harbour, BC Legislature, Public Library, Chinatown and a variety of shopping destinations.
Historic and lively Fernwood Square is close by, hosting the Belfry Theatre, art galleries and a variety of services including aesthetics, massage and hairdressing studios. A lawyer, architect and dentist can be found nearby. Eateries such as Uhu’s, Little Piggy’s Soul Food, the Fernwood Inn and the Cornerstone Cafe create a community ‘hub’ within the area. The locally famous ‘Fernwood Coffee Co’ is only one block from the Village. This impressive list keeps growing!
Because of our proximity to services and downtown, the Village encourages the use of bicycles and car-share. While residents may own a car, our internal parking spaces are designed to accommodate a limited number of smaller energy-efficient cars with charging stations for electric vehicles. Sheds for kayaks and bikes are part of our common infrastructure.
Vision
The Fernwood Urban Village is a neighbourhood of individuals sharing social and physical resources in a sustainable and ecologically responsible community setting.
Mission
Members of the Village are guided by the principles of sustainability and permaculture. We encourage living on the earth with a lighter, and lower cost footprint. We are active adults participating in the creation of our Village community, according to the underlying principles of this development.
Underlying Principles of the Development
In order understand the direction and goals of the community please read our 11 principles.