The [[SolSeedVillage]] is a planned eco-village to be built somewhere in East Portland, Oregon. In rough outline, it will be a cohousing community with some dorm-style living for volunteers, substantial food-producing gardens, and workshops including spaces dedicated to one or more space-related industries. Sustainability and green building techniques will be central to its design.
== Plans ==
* The current plan is to start where we are, with [[Brandon]] and [[Shelley]]'s house and backyard, and expand from there.
* The first step will be to build a [http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Backyardcottages/Overview/ backyard cottage] called the Seed Pod.
** We developed an [[ArchitectScorecard]] to help us choose an architect to design the cottage.
** We've now selected [http://www.swiftarch.com Swift Architecture].
** We're currently working on [[Seed Pod Wants and Needs]].
== Visualizations ==
=== Most recent concept images from Ben, Shelley, and Brandon ===
Brandon really likes http://www.simondale.net/house/ ... it's kind of a hobbit house :-) The incorporation of actual gnarly trees especially.
Shelley's ideas
http://www.bowtieconstruction.com/2008/07/green-roofs/
http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/features/images/Gallery/GreenRoofClose1.jpg
http://www.chinatownconnection.com/japanese-tea-house.htm
http://www.myjapaneseteahouse.com/
http://www.hiloliving.com/WalkingLiliuokalaniGardens.html
=== Backyard cottage ===
This is a rough visualization using photos taken at the [[Longest Day Party]].
[[Image:Backyard cottage rough visualization.jpg]]
=== Mural ===
We got a bunch of visitors at an [[Earth Day 2010]] event in Portland to participate in painting a mural with ideas for the eco-village. Here is the final result:
[[Image:Earth Day 2010 eco-village mural.jpg]]
=== Video ===
[[Ben]] created a few brief shots of one concept for what the [[SolSeedVillage]] might one day look like, for use in his video [[Pick a Future]] and possibly for banners to be displayed at events. Here are the near-final drafts of the images:
==== Ground-level view ====
[[Image:SolSeed Village visualization 1.jpg]]
==== Roof-level view ====
[[Image:SolSeed Village visualization 2.jpg|400px]] [[Image:SolSeed Village visualization 2.1.jpg]]
==== Top view showing overall layout ====
(based on a two-block site several blocks west of Brandon and Shelley's house)
[[Image:SolSeed Village layout for video.png]]
== Governance Draft ==
=== Who owns what? ===
* Condo model
** EcoVillage owns all property and outside grounds
** Occupants own living space from the inside paint inward
* EcoVillage has the first right of refusal on any sale of a living space
* Upon expulsion, EcoVillage must buy living space back at a fair market value
** In case of disagreement, value is determined by an independent 3rd party agreed to by both EcoVillage and current occupant with cost split between them
=== How are decisions made? ===
* By consensus of the community
** If this isn't resolving, then appeal to a vote of the board of directors
* Board is elected by full members according to bylaws
** At first, we'll be so small that everyone can be a board member
** Size should max out at 5-7
=== Who is eligible to join? ===
* Offsite trial period (path to membership)?
** Have them live nearby at first, in rental housing?
** Trillium Hollow model
* Onsite: provisional membership for first year, full membership thereafter
* Each family must include 1 SolSeed member in good standing
* Until the eco-village includes 6 family units, all new family units must be accepted by full consensus of all EcoVillage members
== Values ==
* Bang for the Buck
* Safety
* Finish What We Started (Done Done)
* Baby/Child Friendly
* Good for SolSeed
* Gentle on the Earth
* Beautiful
== Projects ==
=== Functional "Bang for the Buck ===
* Two Lightbulbs Upstairs
* Glue Rocket Fin Back On
* Paint window seals in living room
* Paint window seal in kitchen
* Paint around the fire place
* Touch up the living room paint
* Make Office Usable
** Get Comfortable Chair
** Move Photo Printer to the Nook
** Prune Filing Cabinets
** Prune Books
** Prune Closet
** Brandon process and prune inboxes
** Attach routers etc to wall
** Attach several power strips to wall
** Attach phone to wall
** Install the new monitor
** Install the old monitor for the linux box
* Attach the downspouts
* Prune the maple in the front yard
=== Safety Projects ===
* Move Laundry Upstairs
** Crib to Kristianne
* New Stairs
* Strap Down Foundation
* Screws off Back of Kitchen Counters
* Deck Railing
* Sheetrock the pantry
* Solicit expert opinion on buzzing light switches
* Fix the power (microwave, toaster, etc)
=== Done Done Projects ===
* Drapes/Blinds
* Mounting Coat Hooks in Living Room
* Mounting and Wiring 2 Extra Lights on Back Porch
* Finish the Shelf
* Finish the Sun Gate
* Fix kitchen sink leak
=== Baby/Child Friendly ===
* Put the gate up in the back yard
=== Good for SolSeed ===
* The Sign
* Cottage for Ben
* Bike Corral
* Open up the downstairs
=== Gentle on the Earth ===
* Seal The Front Door
* Solarize the House
* Rain barrels for gutters
* Insulate downstairs
* Seal all air leaks
* Winterize windows
=== Beautiful ===
* Paint The Front Door
* Paint the Porch
* Paint the house
* Run power to the 3 Wise men (the rocks in the corner of the patio)
* New kitchen cabinets
* Level the gutters
=== Resources ===
* http://earthharmonyhabitats.org/