Creating Cohousing with Katie McCamant
During a time when the Earth is supporting more people than ever, researchers say that we are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. Loneliness has negative health implications equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Our single use home zoning is likely a driving cause of this.
For architect Katie McCamant, we need to create more socially connected and supportive communities through a concept she picked up while living in Denmark that she coined in English as “Cohousing.”
Cohousing is a unique and innovative way of living that is gaining popularity around the world. It is a form of intentional community where individuals or families live in their own private homes but also share common spaces and facilities. Cohousing communities are designed to promote social interaction, environmental sustainability, and a sense of community.
Katie McCamant is the co-founder of Cohousing Solutions, a consulting firm that specializes in the planning and development of cohousing communities. McCamant has been involved in the design and development of over 50 cohousing communities in the United States, Canada, and Denmark. She is also the author of two books on cohousing: "Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves" and "Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities".
McCamant's interest in cohousing began in the early 1980s when she was studying architecture in Denmark. She was struck by the sense of community and social interaction in the Danish housing projects and began to explore ways of bringing that concept to the United States. In 1988, McCamant and her business partner, Charles Durrett, designed and developed the first cohousing community in the United States, Muir Commons in Davis, California.
Since then, McCamant has been a leading figure in the development of cohousing in the United States and around the world. She has worked with developers, architects, and communities to design and build cohousing communities that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and promote social interaction. McCamant's approach to cohousing emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the need for residents to be involved in the planning and development of their communities.
One of the key benefits of cohousing is the sense of community that it creates. Cohousing communities are designed to promote social interaction, with common spaces and facilities that encourage residents to interact with one another. This sense of community can be particularly important for nuclear families needing support as well as older adults who may be at risk of social isolation. Cohousing communities can provide a sense of belonging and a support networks.
Another benefit of cohousing is the environmental sustainability that it promotes. Cohousing communities are designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable, with features such as shared gardens, composting facilities, and solar panels. This focus on sustainability is important for the environment and can also help to reduce living costs for residents.
If you are interested in cohousing—either to become a resident, sell a home, or develop a community, be sure to reach out to us at Latitude.
