The [[SolSeedVillage]] is a planned eco-village to be built around the nucleus of [[Brandon]] and [[Shelley]]'s house in East Portland, Oregon. For now, we're just calling their property the '''Seed Village''', as in "seed of an eventual eco-village." 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.
== The Seed Pod ==
The first step will be to build a backyard cottage, or [http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?c=36676 "Accessory Dwelling Unit"] (ADU), called the Seed Pod.
=== Accomplishments so far ===
* August 2010: We developed an [[ArchitectScorecard]] to help us choose an architect to design the Seed Pod.
* December 2010: We wrote down some [[SolSeedVillage#Values|values]] and a list of [[Projects for the Main House]].
* March 2011: We selected [http://www.swiftarch.com Swift Architecture] to do the design.
=== Current work ===
* We're working on [[Seed Pod Wants and Needs]].
* We're reading ''Creating a Life Together'' by Diana Leafe Christian.
=== Visualizations ===
These aren't all images of backyard cottages in our price range, but they help get across an idea of the visual style we're looking for.
* Here are Ben's [https://cid-5fc9cd5ea201996e.photos.live.com/play.aspx/Seed%20Pod%20concepts%20and%20reference%20photos?Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos images as a slideshow]. (We'll try to replace this with a link that doesn't require you to sign in to Windows Live.)
* 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
* Here is a concept sketch by [[Ben]].
[[Image:Ben's concept drawing for the Seed Pod.png|750px]]
* Here is a rough visualization using photos taken at the [[Longest Day Party]].
[[Image:Backyard cottage rough visualization.jpg]]
* 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]]
* [[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. The images were "built" on background photos of a two-block site several blocks west of Brandon and Shelley's house.
[[Image:SolSeed Village visualization 1.jpg]]
[[Image:SolSeed Village visualization 2.1.jpg]] [[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
== Resources ==
* http://www.dianaleafechristian.org/
* http://earthharmonyhabitats.org/