Charles Durrett, recipient of the 2001 United Nations Habitat Award, recipient of many other architecture awards, and co-founder of the North American Cohousing movement, will speak to urban planners, developers, architects and other housing professionals in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 9th 4:00–6:00 p.m.

He has just published a new book, entitled "Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living."

"I know from the experience of taking care of my own mother, Rosemary, that nursing homes and assisted living is not where many of us want to end up. With Senior Cohousing we have developed an excellent model that allows seniors to age with dignity, graced and with the full support of their community."

Durrett, with his wife, Kathryn McCamant, co-founded the cohousing movement in North America. The husband and wife architecture team have pioneered a design process that allows people to create their own neighborhoods with a strong sense of community and higher levels of safety and environmental performance than conventional housing. They have designed over 40 cohousing communities in the United States winning major awards from the American Institute of Architects, National Association of Home Builders, the Architectural Heritage Association, and the Institute of Social Innovation.

Durrett's first book, co-authored with his wife, "Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves" focused on multi-generational villages. It launched the cohousing movement in North America.

According to Durrett, traditional forms of housing no longer address the needs of many older Americans. "Dramatic demographic, economic, and technological changes in our society have created a population that lives longer, ages healthier, and is looking for an alternative to current housing, as they age. " The solution, Durrett says, is senior cohousing. While most housing options for seniors tend to isolate them and discourage a neighborhood atmosphere, cohousing invites seniors to own their own homes within a large social community and to have an ownership interest in an active cooperative "village" which they have helped design.

Durrett's work has been featured in Time Magazine, The New York Times, Architecture and numerous other periodicals. In Washington, DC, he will narrate slides of Danish cohousing, explain the model in detail and show how senior cohousing can be used in municipalities of all flavors.

Sponsored by Mid Atlantic Cohousing, the event will be held in NW Washington, DC, Thursday, December 8th, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Event is free & limited to 30 people. RSVPs required. Send request to [email protected] or call 202-291-7892. Address and directions will be sent upon confirmation of attendance.

Related Link: Charles Durrett, co-founder of the cohousing movement in the U.S. and Canada visits the Washington, DC area

For more information contact:

Ann Zabaldo
Mid Atlantic Cohousing
6827 4th Street NW #312
Washington
DC 20012
United States

Phone: 202 291-7892
Fax: 202 291-8594
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cohomac.org