Danish brainwave that led to revolution in communal life

THE modern theory of cohousing originated in Denmark in the 1960s among groups of families who were dissatisfied with existing housing and communities that they felt did not meet their needs.

Bodil Graae wrote a newspaper article titled ‘Children Should Have One Hundred Parents’ spurring a

as their basic requirements for shelter.

“Working with Assemble Architects has given us a real boost and it is very exciting to see outline sketches for the project.

Frank McGachy, who is part of the group, said: “I’ve been active in the community for many years working paid and voluntary with with charities, coops, credit unions, community business and the churches across the group of 50 families to organise a community project in 1967.

This group developed the cohousing project Saettedammen, which is the oldest known modern co-housing community.

Hundreds of cohousing communities now exist in Denmark and other countries in northern

West of Scotland.

“I realized that the individualistic lifestyle of the last 40 years has created social and economic division in society.

“The environmental challenges of the near future require a collective response if we are to effectively address them.

“Clachan is a model response to all of this. I want to be part of a group of people wanting to literally build this response.” Europe. In Canada, there are 11 completed communities,

In the UK it is currently estimated that less than 1 per cent of housing fits the community-led model but there is increasing interest, as it is seen as a possible way of combatting loneliness and plugging gaps in affordable housing.

‘‘ It is very exciting to see outline sketches for the project

Another project, Penington House, is under way and aims to provide neighbourly care to the over 50s – a group particularly at risk of loneliness. The project currently has around 100 people interested in living in the space.

To attend the meeting organised by Clachan Co-housing visit www. eventbrite.com/e/ clachan-cohousing-public-meeting-tickets-55726486421