In this episode of the cohousing podcast, Charles Durrett sits down with Alan Carpenter, co-creator and co-director of the Canadian Cohousing Network. Together they explore the evolution and impact of cohousing in Canada and beyond.

Alan shares his personal journey from building single-family homes to dedicating his life to creating intentional communities—sparked by a desire for deeper connection and a more meaningful way of living. Together, they discuss the origins and growth of the Canadian Cohousing Network, the success of communities like Windsong Cohousing, and what makes these neighborhoods thrive.

The conversation dives into the real-life benefits of cohousing—affordability, shared resources, reduced isolation, and stronger social bonds across generations. From children freely playing outdoors to seniors aging in place with support, cohousing offers a compelling alternative to the isolation often found in modern living.

They also tackle bigger questions:

Why is connection so essential to human well-being?

What cultural barriers make cohousing harder to adopt in North America?

How can we design communities that foster cooperation, joy, and resilience?

Whether you're curious about intentional communities, interested in sustainable housing models, or simply looking for a more connected way to live, this episode offers thoughtful insights and inspiring stories from decades of experience.

Learn more about The Canadian Cohousing Network at https://cohousing.ca/

For more info visit ⁠www.cohousingco.com⁠ or https://linktr.ee/CohousingCo

What does it take to build a cohousing community from scratch?

In this episode of This is Cohousing, we talk with Patricia Darlington, one of the founders of Oakcreek Community in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Pat shares the personal story that first led her to discover cohousing and how that discovery turned into a real neighborhood built by ordinary people with a shared vision.

We explore the early steps of starting a cohousing group, forming an LLC, finding land, working through zoning challenges, and building a community designed for connection, independence, and aging well.

Pat also reflects on what it’s like to live in cohousing after more than a decade: how intentional design shapes daily life, why interdependence matters more than independence, and how community can support people through all stages of life, including aging and end-of-life care.

If you’ve ever wondered how cohousing communities get started or why more people are seeking alternatives to living alone—this conversation offers an inside look at the process and the philosophy behind it.

Learn more about Pat's community at www.oakcreekstillwater.com

or Oakcreek's Newsletter

Books mentioned:

The Senior Cohousing Handbook

Cohousing Communities

For more info visit ⁠www.cohousingco.com⁠ or https://linktr.ee/CohousingCo

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THIS IS COHOUSING: The Cohousing Podcast, from The Cohousing Company and hosted by architect, author, and cohousing pioneer Charles Durrett.

For nearly 40 years, Charles has explored how design and community can help us live more sustainably, affordably, and connected to one another. Through conversations with residents, organizers, architects, and developers, this podcast explores the ideas, history, and real-world practice of cohousing—and how better neighborhoods can create a better future.

In this episode of the podcast, Charles Durrett sits down with architect, researcher, and community development expert Nazin Bagherynejad to explore how housing design can dramatically influence social well-being—especially in affordable senior housing.

Drawing from her PhD research comparing two very different housing models, Nazin examines the contrast between conventional subsidized housing and Valley View Senior Homes, a nonprofit community inspired by cohousing principles. Through observation, interviews, and design analysis, she reveals how small architectural decisions—porches, pathways, common spaces, transparency, and resident participation—can transform a housing project from an isolating apartment complex into a vibrant, supportive neighborhood.

Charles and Nazin also discuss why resident involvement in design is so often overlooked in nonprofit housing, despite evidence that it improves outcomes, strengthens community ownership, and can even reduce long-term management costs.

The conversation expands beyond architecture to policy, exploring how interdisciplinary thinking, community participation, and better design practices could reshape the future of affordable housing for older adults.

If housing is more than just shelter, what does it take to design places where people truly belong?

This episode offers insights for architects, planners, policymakers, and anyone interested in building healthier, more connected communities.

Mentioned in this episode:

A Solution to Homelessness in Your Town by Charles Durrett, AIA

Nazin’s dissertation

Tinggården

Planning and Managing Housing for the Elderly by M. P. Lawton

For more info visit www.cohousingco.com or our linktr.ee

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