BUILDgruppe Maylands will be a high-quality affordable apartment development in the heart of Maylands with a focus on social and environmental sustainability. Through employing the use of the Baugruppen housing model, the development seeks to provide housing at cost, and a highly collaborative design process, with residents contributing to the the design of their apartments.

Located in the heart of Maylands, within the ‘Maylands Activity Centre Zone’, the development will provide medium-density apartments within a 5 minute walk to Maylands Train Station and the vibrant town centre of Eighth Avenue.

Maylands Train Station is on the Midland line, just minutes from other town centres such as Bayswater, Bassendean and Guildford and the Perth CBD is a short 10 minute train ride away.

The innovative features of this co-housing paradigm are: strata titled home units on a constrained property size, small duplex homes augmented by common facilities, innovative building materials, very high energy ratings, integrated power/water/communications system, and building through a development company limited by shares owned by future residents.

While collaborative housing is not new, particularly in cities or on large rural properties, and such housing has taken a more sustainable focus over the years, the context DecoHousing demonstrates is ecological housing within the heart of a small town, an eco-village within a village.

The opportunity to develop the project on a smaller area of land than would be expected in rural Australia allowed the possibility of siting the project close to the centre of the town. This enhances sustainability in that the resulting community is walkable to shopping, schools, medical facilities and entertainment, and readily contributes to the social and environmental fabric of the town.

Although individual dwellings are designed to be self-contained – each having its own kitchen, bathroom and living areas – they are unusually small for rural Australia, and duplexed; this improves footprint, energy efficiency and effective aging in place. The substantial common house and common gardens held by the Strata Company complement the autonomy of private dwellings with the social health advantages of community living.

Modest home sizes in a small building envelope, shared facilities and no profit margin to development costs has made the project more affordable than the build quality and sustainability features would suggest.

Inspired by cohousing projects from around the world, we are a group of people who work towards achieving a cohousing community in Albany, the South West of Western Australia.

Cohousing, a concept well established in Denmark and the US, is a citizen led development whereby households enjoy the combination of private home ownership within a community neighbourhood that they help to create. Individual homes are clustered around shared spaces such as gardens, recreational areas and a common house. Cohousing communities are examples of true sustainability, in both the built and social fabric. They understand that the difference is people.

The group is a place for anyone interested in cohousing in Albany, to connect with and stay in contact with one another. We have a Facebook page where we invite you to join the group and share relevant information and discussions on cohousing. We also host events from time to time to connect in person.

We love to hear from you if interested in going in this exciting journey with us.

Vicki is caring for her partner Michael, who is living with younger onset dementia. Life has changed considerably for them with the loss of independence and a significant reduction of income. The future is unpredictable and further complicated by the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), changes to My Aged Care and home support, as well as the difficulty in accessing short term respite care. Moreover, recent revelations regarding concerns over the standard of care and abuse of people in care that has led to a royal commission to investigate and report on these matters is disturbing.

They consider cohousing to be an affordable care and living option that will give them more control over their future with the ability to meet their changing needs as time progresses as well as enhance their lifestyle with the added social, economic and environmental benefits. The hope is to avoid the prospect and agonsing decision of placing Mike in a care facility.

The distinguishing features of this model are the willingness of residents to support one another with their care needs and the inclusion of a low rental residence for a support coordinator who can assist with care planning, access to services and coordinate group activities.

Key Principles

• Intentional community; connection, engagement and participation
• Compassionate community; caring for each other is a shared responsibility
• Deliberative development and codesign with additional regard for therapeutic needs
• Shared common spaces and activities
• Respectful relationships and effective communication

The project is intended to be self-funded with each resident (single or couple) required to invest no more than $500K. This project will be a prototype with the potential for scalability in the future. It is hoped that the innovative and distinctive care component of this project will attract inkind support and/or discounted rates from government and non-government sources to help offset costs and provide some incentive for early adopters to join the project.

The Green Swing’s first development, Genesis was unique & ground breaking. The development consists of a combination of two apartments &  two town houses & used different construction materials for each building, including double brick with cavity insulation, reverse brick veneer & straw bale.

Its custom design restricted car access to the periphery, providing quality open & green spaces between the dwellings & at the rear.

Passive solar design resulted in 8-10 star energy ratings; the 10-star 2-storey townhouse is thought to be a first. Solar PV, hot water & the like were a given for the developers. Implementing water saving measures were challenging; an exemption was granted for the use of rainwater & grey water dispersal in a strata development.

Life Cycle Design analysis was conducted for each building with results ranging from carbon neutral for one of the townhouses, to a 56% saving for the two apartments.

The team also set an example by revegetating the neighbouring sump,  converting it into a community garden, beautifying to create more green space in our urban areas. The sump garden is maintained by the neighbours with support from the Local Community Garden Association.

The Green Swing was founded by two couples, Helmuth & Eugenie Stockmann & Mark & Alana Dowley with the aim of contributing towards a more sustainable community. The couples both live in Genesis & with the development of The Siding, the creation of the sump community garden & planting of the urban orchard, are making a different in their street & the wider Victoria Park community.

‘Green Swings’ second development is a continuation of their vision for sustainability & community. It provides an opportunity for people to own or rent a smart, comfortable & healthy home, live with like minded people of all ages & from all walks of life, & be part of the swing toward a thriving sustainable community.

The Siding consists of a cluster of 7 unique homes; 2 townhouses & 5 apartments (1 dual key). Entry to homes is on foot via the central courtyard. Each home has their own private outdoor courtyard for retreat in peace & quiet. Shared spaces include BBQ & picnic area, productive gardens & bicycle storage while gardens connect you to nature, providing a space to relax & enjoy.

Each home treads lightly on the earth & is built to withstand the test of time with workmanship to the highest of industry standards. They provide comfort; are cool in summer & warm in winter with good indoor air quality.

Energy from the sun provides electricity & heats your water. Each homes parking bay is fitted with a 15AMP power outlet for charging electric bikes & vehicles. Together, these energy & water saving measures provide a real opportunity for low-cost living.

Life Cycle Design analysis was used to assess the sustainability impact of the whole of the development, showing an 80% saving in carbon emissions.

A road reserve sump next to this project has been transformed into an urban orchard with the support & help of the Town of Victoria Park, Victoria Park Community Garden Assoc., residents of ‘The Siding’ & ‘Genesis’ as well as the bringing together the broader community in this area.

Stroll to shops, cafés, restaurants, parks & playgrounds & with commuting a pleasure – will you walk, ride or catch the train? Saving money on owning a (second) car is a real option.