Event Description

Community is more important now than ever, as is the demand for innovative strategies for affordability. New developments are taking into account not just where people want to live, but reimagining how. Establishing healthy cohousing communities allows for supportive inclusive environments, provides a sense of community and a reduction of carbon footprints.

Working as their own developer, Bay State Commons Cohousing in Malden, is an innovative 30-unit cohousing community and is the first of its type under Malden’s newly created Cohousing Zoning Ordinance. Because cohousing diverges from the typical developmental model, every phase and scale of the design process needed to work for the residents – the client entity.

The BSA Client Conversation series is focused around quarterly themes, spotlighting clients with not only their projects, but their strategies for managing change through development and investment during these complex times. Conversations will span a range of market sectors, and provide insight into the capabilities and skills clients look for when selecting a design team.

Sessions will be hosted by Carole Wedge FAIA LEED AP. Programs will take place the second Tuesday of every month and will be presented in different formats—from panel discussions to interviews, virtual tours and more.

Anda French and Bay State Commons will discuss the finance and zoning complexities, sustainable strategies and also the misled assumptions about these communities and the possibilities to re-imagine future housing development and the client.