Common Ground, A Co-op Neighborhood

Six one bedroom homes at 740 sf, four two bedroom homes at 876 sf, one three bedroom unit at 1,176sf. Mixed-use building with 870 sf of office and two 412 sf rental apartments. 6.5 acre site. Construction cost $2.4 million; total project cost including land $3.5 million.

Project Aspirations:
Promote energy and water independence and local self-sufficiency with a “Zero net energy” goal.
Create and provide opportunities for affordable homes for working Lopez island residents.
Encourage community collaboration for all aspects of completing the construction and future maintenance and care of the homes though sweat equity.
Establish a resource room for the LCLT that promotes, demonstrates, and exemplifies the emerging culture for independent living and sustainable community on Lopez Island.
Preserve the rural character of the site.
Improve the natural diversity and habitat of site, situation, and surroundings through the incorporation of permaculture design elements.

Project Solutions:
Keeping the footprint of the houses small thereby significantly reducing resource use.
Utilizing passive solar design with carefull orientation, sun shading, appropriate thermal mass, high levels of insulation, and efficient appliances and lighting to minimize energy use.
Utilizing ‘night shades’ during cool weather to keep warm air in at night.
Producing renewable energy on-site to help offset energy use. Solar thermal hot water and a 33.8 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system for electricity.
Straw bale and earthen plaster construction.
Rainwater catchment, for clothes washing and toilet flushing and surface water collection for irrigation.
Site planning and landscaping choices reduce water use and encourage wildlife.
Reduced impervious surfaces and storm water control. Rain gardens at the parking area collect and filter gas/oil run-off.
Initiating conservation education metering and feedback systems for the homeowners, regarding both water and energy use.
Homeowners, through an orchestrated eleven month sweat equity and training program, learnt about conservation that will aid them in maintenance and energy reduction.

Lessons Learned:
Homeowner behaviour regarding energy conservation has been inconsistant because of the low cost of energy in the region. Financial incentives should be created along with ongoing education.

Criteria Matrix:
All twelve criteria were addressed