Web Features
Tree Bressen traces her own path of exploration from commune to collective household, discovering that community isn't always drawn in black and white.
The communities movement and the natural building movement share the goal of forming meaningful relationships--with other people and with one's own home. In fact, natural building practically demands community.
O.U.R. Ecovillage has audaciously invited inspectors, architects, and regulatory officials to participate in their green building programs for the past eight years. In the process, they have fostered cooperative social connections--and received full approval for an eco-housing cluster.
Also in This Issue (Print Version Only)
· PUBLISHER'S NOTE: GOOD TO GO: Though the Boat Has a Hole in It, We're Plenty See-worthy
· WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY: NEW NORCIA COMMUNITY: Australia's Monastic Town
Bill Metcalf
· MY TURN: FAIRIES AND CHAINSAWS: Finding Balance in an Ecovillage
Kiesa Kay
· COHOUSING LIFE: CENTRAL FLORIDA: BREAKING "GREEN" GROUND
Central Florida Cohousing
· COMMUNITY WHERE YOU ARE: COOK ONE MEAL, EAT FOR A WEEK
Joelle Novey
People in cooking co-ops are learning how to manage the daunting task of getting dinner on the table every night: have someone else do the cooking.
· LIVING IN COMMUNITY: A WEEK IN THE LIFE: Sustainable Living in an Intentional Community
Niánn Emerson Chase
Niánn Emerson Chase and Gabriel of Uranta founded a community in Arizona called Global Communications Alliance. Here she offers a glimpse into a typical summertime week.
· A STRAWBALE VILLAGE IN DENMARK: Building the Three-Legged Stool of Sustainability
Matthieu Lietart
Matthieu Lietaert interviews residents of Fri og Fro (Free and Happy), learning about their philosophy and how ecological building methods relate to other parts of living sustainably.
· URBAN ECOVILLAGES: Micro-Infill Cohousing Without Cars
Mark Lakeman
Portland City Repair cofounder Mark Lakeman extols the new "micro-village" of Sabin Green--cohousing with an urban permaculture design, and with a cob tea house to boot.
· OUR ZERO-WASTE CHICKEN CAMPER
Jan Steinman
Jan Steinman explains how members of EcoReality rebuilt an old camping trailer as a "chicken tractor" to use the birds' excrement as fertilizer--reducing waste in numerous ways.
· HOW A HAWAI'I COMMUNITY RESCUED A MARIMBA STUDIO FROM THE BULLDOZER
John Schinnerer
What to do if the building you want to live in is located five miles from your community--and is also scheduled for demolition: take it apart and move it! La'akea members did just that.
· BATTLING THE BUREAUCRACY IN ISRAEL
Michael Livni
Kibbutz Lotan wanted to build "dome-atories" out of strawbales with earth plaster, but these materials are not accepted under Israel's building code. Undeterred, kibbutz members built a test wall at the Israel Standards Institute--and the natural materials passed the test.
· REVIEWS: The Barefoot Architect; Beyond You and Me
· LAST WORDS (POETRY): "MELLOW SPRINGS"
Kiesa Kay
· LAST WORDS (POETRY): "PATCHWORK"
