Kailash Eco-Village

Kailash Eco-Village is located in SE Portland, Oregon as a precedent for sustainable urban design communities. Ole and Maitri Ersson planned the sustainable community with the incorporation of housing, garden landscape and learning spaces. Residents in this community have their own private spaces but have the option to share spaces with their counterpart neighbors. With about 50 residents co-existing in Kailash Eco-Village, fundamental values of co-housing are apparent within the renting business operation of the community. 

With principles of co-housing in mind, residents do occupy their own spaces. Housing in the community looks very similar to a small apartment complex. Units in the village consist of 1-bedroom, 2 bedroom and one room units. More community based options beyond housing in the community include a community room, a patio, and a tree house that are typically used for larger gatherings. 

One unique factor to the community is the sustainable practice of composting in which there is a composting center available to residents in the garden. The idea of composting is quite interesting considering the concept of this village was based on sustainability. As Americans we are prone to just using the restroom and flushing the toilet but it's quite normal in many cultures to maybe not be prone to having “toilet” to take care of matters. Sustainably it makes sense to implement this practice throughout the village however, socially this is a hard amenity to just do without.

I think overall the garden aspect being available to residents is a good easy practice to maintain and be used in future sustainable co-housing villages.