Senior Cohousing

Cohousing communities are founded on the idea of participatory design and operation. Residents are not only the primary architects of the physical space, but collaborate on all aspects of its common use and management. They are consciously committed to living as a community.

The site design of a cohousing community reflects the balance between individuality and group living. Individual homes are clustered around shared open space and a common house. Facilities often include a group dining room, meeting rooms, guest accommodations, community garden areas, pedestrian pathways, and laundry. Each home is self-sufficient with a complete kitchen, but group dinners are cooked by residents on a regular basis and enjoyed by all who wish to participate.

Many cohousing communities are multi-generational, but ElderGrace is for persons over 55. It is one of a few cohousing communities in the U.S. that focuses specifically on elders. Pioneered by architect Charles Durret, the concept of cohousing for seniors has its roots in Denmark, where many seniors live in such communities. After studying Denmark’s model, Mr. Durret became an advocate for adapting the model to the U.S. He co-founded an architecture firm focused on cohousing, and has written several books and articles on the subject, the most noteworthy being The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living.

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