An ecologically- and socially-sustainable residential and learning complex designed to meet the housing needs of Berea College students, principally those who are married or single parents, in a manner that supports their academic, labor and family responsibilities.

In addition to 32 new units of family housing and a new state-of-the-art child development and daycare center, the complex includes a commons house, a Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SENS) demonstration house and site and landscaping features such as vegetable gardens, fruit trees, a greenhouse and a wetland.

Stringent performance goals for the Ecovillage include: reduction of energy use by 75%; generation of 10% of the Ecovillage’s electricity on-site from renewable sources; reduction of per capita water use by 75%; treatment of sewage and wastewater on-site to swimmable quality, and recycling, reusing or composting at least 50% of waste. To accomplish these and other goals, the Ecovillage incorporates a wide range of "green design" elements including passive solar heating, photovoltaic panels and wind-powered electrical generators. On-site treatment of waste is accomplished using composting toilets and a ‘living machine," which converts sewage to swimmable quality water. Roof-top capture of rainwater contributes to irrigation and production of fruits and vegetables in local gardens and greenhouses.

The SENS House is the residence of four student directors and the education and research focal point for sustainable living for the campus. A faculty member and six students have opportunities for experiential education in sustainable living and are responsible for performance monitoring and some maintenance for the entire Ecovillage as well as the SENS house.