Designed for Connection
Hello from the front porch
Walk through Heartwood in the summer, and you might stumble upon a lively happy hour, or a game of make-believe, or a quick conversation, all happening on a front porch. Unlike many neighborhoods, where fenced-in back yards are prioritized, cohousing is intentionally designed for both social interaction and privacy. At Heartwood, we have swapped streets and driveways for pedestrian pathways, which sounds like an architectural choice but is actually a social one. A porch facing the main path instead of a parking spot puts you right in the flow of neighborhood life, where you might wave, ask "How was your day?" or say hi to the kids who wander over mid-bike-ride.
Front porches are designed to put you in the flow of community life. They are the perfect spot to check in with your neighbors.
Privacy When You Want It
Cohousing neighborhoods are intentionally designed to foster connection and cooperation while preserving privacy and independence. While the common house, pedestrian pathways, and front porches are great places to find community, your private home, backyard, or the 350 acres of open space are great places to find privacy. Since front yards face the pathway, most backyards in Heartwood back up against the forest. Many members have turned their backyards into quiet sanctuaries to retreat to when they need privacy.
Most backyards back up to the forest and provide members with privacy when they want it.
Not Just for Extroverts (or Introverts)
One thing that may surprise you is that cohousing tends to attract more introverts than extroverts. This is in part because meaningful connection is just a few steps out your front door, and you don't need to make small talk with strangers to get it. You can call up a friend and just walk over for a cup of coffee if you want to get together. There is no need to plan ahead or drive. Heartwood is designed to give people a choice between privacy and community because all of us need both at some level.
Heartwood is a multi-generational community. Sit out front, and you may see a kid running by or another adult who wants to chat.
Continuing the Tradition
As Phase 2 is being built out, these same basic building principles are being considered and implemented. At the center of Phase 2 is a shared community hub that will feature a geodesic-dome greenhouse, a park area, a terrace, and a bocce court. The homes are similarly spaced to balance connection and privacy, with the same idea of a social front porch and a private backyard.
Phase 2 is designed similarly to the first set of houses, with front porches facing the pedestrian pathway and backyards overlooking the forest.
At Heartwood, community is found in many places, and often it’s as simple as a hello from the front porch!