Completed October 2007
2202 Lambert Drive, Courtenay, BC, Canada
Located less than 2 km from downtown Courtenay on a 9.8-acre site, with a salmon-bearing creek running through an adjacent 4-acre park. Protection of the aquatic habitat shaped the stormwater management approach — runoff is directed across the surface into a wetland rather than through culverts, and non-permeable surfaces are minimized.
The original zoning would have permitted 63 lots covering the entire site. Instead, the cohousing development reduced density by clustering 36 duplex-style homes and pushing parking to the site’s edges, preserving green space and creating new habitat through wetland development. The compact, energy-efficient floor plans use less material and have a smaller footprint than a conventional development of comparable size.
Five different home plans ranging in size from 5 bedroom to 3 bedroom, meet the diverse needs of singles, couples and families with children. The site includes pedestrian-friendly walkways, shared gardens, and common outdoor areas. The approximately 3,500 sq ft common house contains a kitchen and dining area, two guest suites, a meeting/yoga room, lounge, children’s playroom, and laundry. A workshop was built with volunteer labour from recycled materials.
Ronaye Matthew’s company, Cohousing Development Consulting, provided cohousing development and community building services from December 2004 through completion in October 2007.
