Daybreak Cohousing

Daybreak Cohousing Community is an interesting housing concept that unites a unique mix of residents who desire to live an urban lifestyle without necessarily living directly downtown. It is a 30-unit condo development that encourages interaction among residents by focusing each unit around common spaces and opening each unit to shared porches and balconies. Residents share a community garden, a rooftop hot tub with a panoramic view, a tool room and workshop, laundry facility,bicycle garage, guest suites, and a large kitchen and dining center, though units have their own kitchens and dining areas as well. Decisions affecting residents are made with input from the entire community.

Part of the community garden

Inviting porches/balconies

Cohousing tends to be characteristically counter-culture, and the facility is built with sustainability in mind with easy access to public transit, water retention system (no rainwater leaves the site), no vehicle parking but ample bicycle storage; however, not all of the sustainable features were in place from the start. Some were afterthoughts, like water efficient toilets and the like. Dual-flush toilets were installed in response to high water bills.

Rooftop hot tub

Tool-sharing

Among the 30 units are people of all ages, from a couple of years old to retirement age, so it is truly for anyone who wants the urban lifestyle with a community feel. The diverse mix means everyone has unique skills or services to offer each other, such as young men to change lightbulbs or childless families who can offer babysitting services, among others.
  

Water collection garden. Cistern below.

Ample bicycle storage with direct street access

Community kitchen