Introducing Cohousing: a new way of living in Reykjavík
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* Bofællesskabet i Nærheden
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur the story so far
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur started out in 2019 as a group of friends who had heard about the concept of Cohousing or bofællesskabet in Denmark. They had recently returned to Iceland and when they realized that a housing option like this was not available in Iceland, they decided to start a project in that direction. In late 2019 and mid 2020 we have received two grants from Borgarsjóður Reykjavíkur and Hönnunasjóður and have felt very positive feedback in talks with institutions and municipalities. We have been working on advertising Cohousing as a housing option
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
and attracting public attention to our project. Furthermore we have researched about Cohousing abroad and about ways to set up such a project here in Iceland, with regards to finding a plot, financing and the legal framework around it.
Cohousing around the world Cohousing communities in modern conception have first been established in Denmark in the early 1970’s, but over the years the concept has become popular in many countries over the world. As you can see from the reference project presented over the next pages, Cohousing projects look slightly different between countries and are used in different surroundings. It’s absolutely possible to imagine Cohousing on the countryside, in a suburb or in a dense urban area! What defines Cohousing is a set of characteristics we have compiled on the next page. The most important feature is certainly that it’s usually residents starting and
controlling the project, both while planning and using the complex. Cohousing therefore offers an element of real empowerment regarding the housing environment. Communities are often conceived around a shared interest, f.ex. in sustainable living on our planet or creating safe spaces for children to play. Long waiting lists make it somehow difficult to join existing communities in Denmark and prove the general popularity of Cohousing as a housing model. Some communities even struggle with over-aging of their members since no residents wish to move out.
Cohousing
“an intentional community, cre - the UK Cohousing network
Private dwelling
Resident participation
Sharing
The base unit of Cohousing is a private dwelling for each household. The dwelling includes the same amenities as a regular private household, however it might be different in size.
Community members are part in the conception and planning of a Cohousing community. This way they can have real influence and commanding power over their housing environment and tailor the design to their exact needs.
The communit which spaces together. Thes bike storage, w laundry room spaces like a g dents can also own things like or equipment.
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
eated and run by its residents”
ty decides will be used se can include workspaces, or outside garden. Resio collectively e cars, tools .
Intention (kjarni)
Community conventions
Communities are usually conceived around a central intention which community members agree on. This could be a shared interest like gardening, or a common belief in sustainable lifestyles.
Communal life follows a set of conventions & expectations between members. Members f.ex. sometimes prepare dinners for each other according to a plan and take part in various duties around the community.
Reference project no1
Copper Lane Cohousing, London
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
Tenure scheme owner-occupied Access direct access, interior vertical circulation Completion 2014 Shared facilities raised central courtyard, communal multi-purpose hall, laundry room, workshop, shared gardens Community size six houses (70 - 165 m2) Residential density 12,5 du/ha
Reference project no2
Bofællesskabet Æblevangen, Copenhage
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
en Tenure scheme ownership Access direct Completion 1980 Shared facilities common house with „sports hall“, kitchen, two dining rooms, laundry room Community size 36 units, approx. 100 residents Residential density 21 du/ha
Reference project no3
Sofielunds Kollektivhus, Malmö
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
Tenure scheme rental Access balcony access Completion 2014 Shared facilities industrial kitchen, dining room, laundry room, indoor bicycle parking, storage, childrens room, movie room, music room, workshops, guest apartment, yoga room, sauna, courtyard, roof terrace Community size 45 apartments (studio - five bedroom) Residential density 225 du/ha
Reference project no4
WindSong Cohousing, Canada
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
Tenure scheme owner occupied Access indoor access corridor, direct secondary access Completion 1996 Shared facilities multi-purpose indoor corridor, common house, arts & crafts room, community office, vegetable gardens & forested land Community size 34 dwellings Residential density 14 du/ha
Reference project no5
Bofællesskabet Lange Eng, Copenhagen
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
Tenure scheme owner occupied Access direct access & outdoor staircases Completion 2009 Shared facilities integrated community house,industrial-sized kitchen, dining hall, play areas, lounge, café, cinema, garden with playgrounds, campfire & private patios Community size 54 apartments, over 200 residents Residential density 39 du/ha
Our goals
how do we want our c
Communal life
Self-empowerment
Privacy bala
Community life is the core of a Cohousing project. The design should therefore focus on facilitating connections between neighbours, but this does not exclude neighbours outside the Cohousing community.
Our members will be part of conception and planning of our community. This way we can have real influence and commanding power over our housing environment and tailor the design to our exact needs.
Being able to re private sphere i us. Residents sh to choose how “ they would like when entering t
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
community to be?
ance
Sustainability
Inclusivity / Affordability
etreat into the is important to hould be able “communal” to be f.ex. their house.
Our members agree that sustainable construction and lifestyles are a central point in the development of our Cohousing community. This could also be expressed in f.ex. car-sharing.
We want to emphasize diversity in our community and therefore also affordability. We also want to strive to present a competitive housing model to the difficult housing market in Iceland
Outlook - next steps Our plan for 2021 is to expand the group and actively look for more interested future residents. With a resident group we will hold workshops on various topics (the plot layout, communal structure, financing, ...) and shape the vision of our Cohousing community. The project managers will be in charge of organizing the path towards building. At this point there are still many open questions that we need to answer. We need to find a suitable plot for construction and set up a project team with engineers, financers and building contractors. Cohousing projects generally take
Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur
more time from conception to completion. Since residents participate in the process, compromises have to be found and decisions are taken in votes among the community instead of by a developer.
How to - join? All interesting information about Cohousing and news about our project will be shared through our facebook channels. You can mark our facebook page “Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur” with a ‘like’ to follow our project. kjarnasamfelagreykjavikur@gmail.com
We keep an ongoing discussion with all interested people in our facebook group “Kjarnasamfélag Reykjavíkur - Umræða”. This is a place for exchange of ideas and getting to know each other.
If you think that Cohousing might be for you and you would like to join our project and receive invitations to our upcoming workshops and community meetings, please send an email to kjarnasamfelagreykjavikur@gmail.com
kjarnasamfelagreykjavikur@gmail.com facebook.com/kjarnasamfelagreykjavikur