Common House

The most exciting aspect of cohousing is people coming together in community, and our Lodge is built to facilitate interaction. The heart of Wolf Creek Lodgeis its Common House. Located at the center of the lodge, it is easily accessible by elevator or walkways from all of the private homes. Its 4,000 square feet serve as an extended, multifunctional addition to each member’s home.

One of the most enjoyable activities of cohousing is coming together for meals. The group has decided to have five common meals a week, and attendance will be optional. We have learned that in all cohousing groups, common meals soon become the most popular opportunity to socialize. The thoughtfully designed, roomy kitchen in the Common House facilitate ease and economy of movement for two or more chefs as they prepare and serve their delicious meals.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the large dining room. This room is designed to be used for many activities in addition to dining. Here people can dance, have parties, exercise, practice yoga, hold meetings, dialog with guest speakers, or engage in a myriad of activities we probably haven’t thought of yet.

The dining room is open on to our spacious patio terrace where outdoor tables provide an inviting place for eating outside. The terrace offers an expansive view of the property and, at night, provides the perfect place for star gazing. Below this is a series of terraced areas beautifully landscaped with flowers, trees, vegetables and paths, one of which leads to a hot tub. All together, there is over 8,500 square feet of decks and terraces from which we enjoy our beautiful grounds.

The Common House sitting room shares a gas fireplace with the dining room. Here people gather to talk, play games, read, watch TV, do crafts, or just relax. There is room for engaging with other people or enjoying being alone, depending on one’s preference at the moment. The sitting room is a cozy place, inviting, comfortable and tastefully furnished.

We have a coffee bar off the kitchen where people gather for espresso or tea and informal conversation. Here, as everywhere, members can plan group activities such as kayaking, walking, and hiking, or impulsively decide to go to a movie or play, or just hang out.

The Common House also offer boxes for mail delivery, a laundry room, an office, storage space, and a multi-purpose room. One of the great advantages to cohousing is the opportunity to share such things as laundry soap, maintenance and garden tools, copy machine, printer, fax, and such, reducing the need for multiple purchases of things that can easily be shared.