The [SolSeedVillage](/SolSeedVillage) is a planned eco-village to be built around the nucleus of [Brandon](/Brandon) and [Shelley](/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
A first step we considered is to build a backyard cottage, or ["Accessory Dwelling Unit"](http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?c=36676) (ADU), called the Seed Pod.
#### Accomplishments so far
- August 2010: We developed an [ArchitectScorecard](/ArchitectScorecard) to help us choose an architect to design the Seed Pod.
- December 2010: We wrote down some [values](/SolSeedVillage#Values) and a list of [Projects for the Main House](/Projects_for_the_Main_House).
- March 2011: We selected [Swift Architecture](http://www.swiftarch.com) to do the design.
- We put together a table of [Seed Pod Wants and Needs](/Seed_Pod_Wants_and_Needs).
- We read *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 [images as a slideshow](https://cid-5fc9cd5ea201996e.photos.live.com/play.aspx/Seed%20Pod%20concepts%20and%20reference%20photos?Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos). (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](/Ben).
- Here is a rough visualization using photos taken at the [Longest Day Party](/Longest_Day_Party).
### Other Seed Village visualizations
- We got a bunch of visitors at an [Earth Day 2010](/Earth_Day_2010) event in Portland to participate in painting a mural with ideas for the eco-village. Here is the final result:
- [Ben](/Ben) created a few brief shots of one concept for what the [SolSeedVillage](/SolSeedVillage) might one day look like, for use in his video [Pick a Future](/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.
 
### 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/