The price of land here allows us to enjoy amenities such as native bush, orchards and a pond. We looked at some small city sites which were significantly more expensive, and much less beautiful. The location enjoys a blend of proximity to town and country.
On the one hand Swanson Rd has easy access to the Waitakere Ranges ranges and West Coast beaches. And the precious rainwater coming off the Tasman Ocean is much cleaner.
On the other hand the site is also more accessible to the city than an average suburb on the edge of the urban area. Being only 3 kms and 2 sets of traffic lights to the motorway gives quick access to urban amenities. Better still, the site is only a brief level walk to the train station, which offers a stress free commute to destinations on the central isthmus. Plans are afoot to improve this service.
The fact that the 'village centre' is right next door was also particularly attractive to us. Shops, doctors, hairdressers and churches are located there, as well as a community centre and a new library under construction. This 'walkability' is a real plus, as is the flat terrain for cycling. We have found the local people to be especially welcoming and friendly, and we expect active resident interaction with the diverse wider community.
Many people are finding that existing housing options no longer suit their needs. Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood was inspired in part by the successful new Scandinavian 'cohousing' concept, which arose to meet the needs of busy urban families.
A better balance of community and privacy is attained by creating some commonly owned space amidst the private lots. This provides neighbours with a place in which to meet. Most importantly children can play in the common area, easily watched over, and kitchen windows face the common area for this reason.
Also, residents can achieve considerable savings by co-ownership of some facilities and tools which individuals would use infrequently.
A spa pool, lawnmower, laundry, and guest rooms are logical examples. Compact homes are therefore the norm due to supplemental common facilities. Residents have a hand in the neighbourhood design, and ongoing body corporate management. Cohousing is quite distinct from any kind of communal living arrangement. It has been rapidly adopted in the USA, where about 40 projects have been completed in the last few years. The book Cohousing, a Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves, (McCamant & Durrett 1994) is recommended.
What is becoming more and more common around the world is for people to drive home, 'genie' up the garage door, and never see their neighbours. The advantages of separating the cars outweigh the disadvantages viz:
Reduced area of hard surfaces saves paving costs and stormwater pollution problems.
Increased pedestrian and traffic safety.
Neighbour interaction. Informal social relationships within the neighbourhood foster further additional cooperation - for instance, child minding, car pooling, bulk buying.
Space for community gardens, play equipment, and other recreational amenities.
The carparks are well lit and sufficiency overlooked for security purposes, and offer alternative uses such as basket ball etc.
Hand carts will be available for moving things between carparks and homes, and a section of the pathway is drivable for occasional moving trucks or emergency services.
One cohousing resident once said that his journey home from the car-park could sometimes involve 3/4 hour and three beers!
This building contains dining & sitting rooms, a library, children's and teenage rooms, a crafts/laundry room, a separate workshop, and a guest room for your visitors. An office containing computer, fax, and photocopier may be available to residents.
The common house dining room and kitchen also doubles as a larger events space which can be used by residents for events and celebrations such as weddings.
The residents will decide how many evenings there will be shared dinner available in the common house, and these dinners are completely optional. Teams of 2-3 will take turns preparing the meals (you might cook only once a month or two!) and the team system accommodates varying levels of cooking experience.
In return, most evenings after work, you can spend time with your children or relax instead of cooking, and just turn up to a nutritious meal. Maybe the best part, though, is after dinner when the children retreat to the nearby playspaces leaving the adults to enjoy wine or good coffee with their neighbours!
The well designed terraced houses in Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood are more private than dense freestanding suburban housing, having less overlooked windows. The acoustic insulation ratings of earth walls and modern multilayered gib systems are the very best.
Each house has its own private outdoor space. These are compact and low maintenance.
The neighbourhood is of such a scale that you don't have to relate with everybody and it provides a unique flexibility and choice between community and privacy.
Permaculture seeks to meet daily human needs in more sustainable ways, by creating productive 'edible' landscapes and managing water and energy locally. This is especially important for urban areas.
There will be a common orchard with a 'herbal underlayer' and possibly ducks or hens free-ranging underneath too. Cooperative organic vegetable gardens are planned, and individuals may request a common space allocation for their own needs. The plant/house interaction is important too--for example vines growing on the terrace house pergolas help regulate temperature extremes.
Numerous books on Permaculture are available including An Introduction to Permaculture (Mollison 1991).
While Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood homes slightly more expensive than other new townhouses in the Auckland region, their numerous cost-saving extras make them really good value. Prices range between $325,000 and $550,000.
However a preliminary cost benefit analysis on just a few of the project's features shows a $22,000 operating cost saving over the first 20 years. By assembling a package of proven reliable eco-technologies our estimates show that home owners will each save about $1100 per year on water, wastewater and power charges alone. The houses are so durable that the builder jokes about them still being around in 500 years! Savings on maintenance are estimated to be at least $450 per year.
Compared with an average house, let alone a draughty villa in the city these houses represent extraordinary value as a home and investment.
You will have your own title which includes a share of the common land and amenities. Based on overseas experience homes of this type are highly sought after, and appreciate faster than average. Each unit comprises a principle unit, which is the house and front & back yards (or decks), an auxiliary unit which is an allocated carpark or car port, and a share of all common property. An agreement for sale and purchase is entered into between yourself (as purchaser) and Cohousing New Zealand Ltd (as vendor).
Homes in Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood are bought and sold on the open market in the normal manner. The body corporate rules restrict the use of pesticides, may limit the number of pets, and require some participation in cooking and the general running of the common area.
The innovative nature of the development will, in itself, attract residents with a common interest in sustainable living. Beyond this, a healthy diversity of residents is expected.
In excess of 100 people have had a hand in planning Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood. The project's defining vision focuses on creating a model of socially and environmentally sustainable urban living. Input by residents-to-be has ensured that the design is moulded to end-users needs. Few developments ever have this degree of attention to design, but it is essential for quality urban living. The result is a strong sense of place and 'ownership'.
Cohousing, A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves, Second Edition, K. McCamant, C. Durrett, E.Hertzman, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley California, 1994
The Cohousing Handbook, C. Hansen, Hartley and Marks Vancouver, 1996
Introduction to Permaculture, B. Mollison, Tagari, Tyalgum, N.S.W. Australia, 1991
Eco-Villages and Sustainable Communities, Context Institute, WA USA 1994
The Natural House Book - Creating a Healthy Harmonious and Ecologically-sound Home Environment, D. Pearson, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1989.
Rebuilding Community in America—Housing for Ecological Living, Personal Empowerment, and the New Extended Family, K. Norwood, K. Smith, SLRC Berkeley, California, 1995
The Art of Facilitation, D. Hunter, A. Bailey, B. Taylor, Tandem Press, Auckland, 1994
Co-operacy, D. Hunter et al, Tandem Press Auckland 1997