Allan Spira is a local architect, active member of the Institute of Architects and part of Canberra Cohousing; a group of residents who are seeking to facilitate the development of cohousing communities in our city.
Tony Trobe: What is Cohousing?
Allan Spira: It’s a rapidly emerging housing model that involves residents creating a community of self-contained homes with shared spaces such as a common house, guest room for visitors, garden and laundry. It offers an alternative approach to housing which is socially supportive, economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
TT: Is it for older people?
AS: No. There are several senior’s groups but our intention is to have a natural community of all ages, whether downsizers, first time owners or renters.
TT: How big?
AS: That depends on the size of the block – typically 20-30 separately-titled compact townhouses but can be any number, mainly determined by the size of the land.
TT: Has it been tried elsewhere?
AS: Cohousing originated in Denmark where it is now a mainstream form of housing (forms 10% of new residential buildings), Germany and other European countries and is popular in the USA. There are fewer developments in Australia; notably Christie Walk (Adelaide), Cascade (Hobart), Murundaka (Melbourne) and Pinakarri (Perth).
TT: What about Canberra?
AS: In Canberra the closest form of cohousing we have are Urambi Village in Kambah and Wybalena Grove in Cook, both developed in the 1970s. Mr Steve Shann, a resident of Urambi Village assisted by other village members in the new village vegetable garden.
TT: How is it different from a town house estate?
AS: The major difference is that a cohousing community is initiated, designed and managed by its residents, and not initiated by a speculative developer who sells off the units for profit.
TT: Why is it less expensive?
AS: Because the residents are all selected before any money is outlaid on land or construction. This eliminates the developers risk and therefore reduces the margins. Typical margins are set at 15% of build costs.
TT: Are there other benefits?
AS: The design and construction quality are controlled by the residents, who also have a say in the scope and quality of what inclusions that they want and what they are prepared to do without. For example: ceiling fans and natural ventilation instead of airconditioning. The Social benefits shouldn’t be underrated either. In several countries, such as Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, governments have actively encouraged the development of senior cohousing communities because they keep people healthier and happier for longer and contribute to lower levels of demand on expensive health and social care services.
TT: Do they look different from other town house developments?
AS: One of the main differences is car parking (for fewer cars): which is clustered on the periphery with paths leading to each individual household. This allows for much more green space for deep rooted trees and provides an opportunity to socialise with neighbours.
TT: Any other environmental benefits?
AS: Typically, a greater emphasis on thermal building design, renewable energy, shared transport, cycling, water saving technologies, waste recycling and food harvesting as part of the integrated landscaping.
TT: Are there any issues with planning codes?
AS: Plenty! But the good news is that the ACT government is currently undertaking their Housing Choices consultation and looking for alternative housing models. We are seeking land close to public transport and car sharing services.
TT: What kinds of changes are you seeking?
AS: We would like cohousing to be an allowed in selected precincts within standard residential zones so existing residents could downsize and remain within their communities. Block amalgamations and unit titling need to be allowed in the RZ1 zone where cohousing is a suitable land use.
TT: How can you ensure developments are sympathetic with existing neighbourhoods?
AS: We believe all development applications for multi-unit projects should be submitted to the ACT Government’s proposed Design Review Panel to improve the overall quality of housing in the ACT. Creation of cohousing communities through amalgamating blocks and optimising development provide a much better approach to urban renewal than the spate of single block developments such as those currently being carried out on Mr Fluffy sites. Prior to self-government, the National Capital Development Authority oversaw some innovative compact housing developments that fit well into Canberra’s older suburbs. Many of those are
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