Co-Hollow: Building Community in Lake City

Working towards a common goal to live well and build community

In today’s increasingly hot real estate environment, looking for alternatives to single family home buying is a must. Many families are getting priced out of stand-alone single family homes and have had to adjust their expectations to include zero-lot line townhomes and condos.  This is especially true for first time home buyers and buyers looking in core areas of Seattle and the Eastside.   So what options do people have when they want to purchase a single family home and keep their costs down in this rapidly appreciating market?  One such option is currently under construction in NE Seattle.

Homeowner & builder Carl Lind came up with the idea over a decade ago to develop a small community of green homes in his neighborhood of Lake City.  Carl and his wife Susan teamed up with their friends Jonathan and Melanie Nuefeld who bought half their property with the intention of redeveloping the one single family residence they shared into a mix of homes that gave them each their own single family unit and met their lifestyle goals for shared community.   Many folks dream of building a house with a group of friends or family, but few can put that dream into action. Lind had experience in project management and construction, and he was able to develop a design for the lot at a budget that would be affordable. Lind hired Matt Wasse of Shugart Wasse Wickwire to help them redesign the property to include 4 stand-alone 3 bedroom/3 bath homes with large shared gardens and outdoor spaces that enhance livability and community.  The homes will all meet 4-Star Built-Green standards.

Taking inspiration from permaculture design principles, Lind wanted the homes to perform multiple functions.  In that spirit, each home is designed with a lower level suite that can be used as part of the home or managed as a separate ADU or Mother-in-Law unit (for 8 total units).  This builds in resiliency for the community to grow and also allows flexibility for the home owners’ living circumstances.

In addition to promoting the broad concepts of increased density, intentional community, and resiliency, Lind made sure that sustainability remained a priority as design decisions were made.  Sustainable elements include heat recovery ventilators, high-efficiency heat pumps, super-insulated walls, reclaimed materials, Energy Star appliances, no-VOC paint, rain gardens, and electric vehicle charging.

Two of the four units will be available for sale in the summer 2016.  The homeowner welcomes anyone interested in living in a green home and working towards a common goal to live well and build community to stop by and visit during the Green Home Tour!  12014 33rd Avenue NE – Seattle, WA – 98125

 

If you have any questions about this property or other Green Home Tour properties, please contact Eva Otto eva@infinitiRED.com or Chris Barnes chris@infinitiRED.com or visit our website infinitiRED.com.