Integrated design consulting for a 22 unit plus Common House cohousing community. Founded by the late Donella Meadows, this community brought together an amazing group of people with a deep environmental ethic. Putting together two old Vermont farms, some of the residents raise sheep, tap a maple sugarbush, operate a CSA farm, and make cheese. Also on site is the Sustainability Institute, a think-do tank also founded by Meadows.

Features include a central high-efficiency, wood-fired boiler that supplies heat and hot water to the community through an underground district heating system; composting toilets in all the buildings; highly insulated construction (all homes are VT Energy Star rated); and healthy, non-toxic construction. Solar hot water and solar electric systems have been installed on some of the homes. Occupied 2001.

References: Susan Sweitzer - 802 436-1277

This project description was written by Marc Rosenbaum, P.E. - PO Box 194, Meriden, NH 03770 603-469-3355 mjr@valley.net who collaborated on this project.