| Nubanusit Neighborhood and Farm is a co-housing ecovillage in Peterborough, NH. Half the homes have been sold and are occupied. The neighborhood consists of 29 environmentally designed homes, a Common House, professional office space, a working farm and woodlands with walking trails. A single-family home in the neighborhood has been awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)Platinum Certification from the US Green Building Council. The other home types (duplex, and 4-unit building) are registered for LEED Platinum certification. The entire neighborhood is heated by a central wood-pellet boiler plant. No fossil fuels are used on-site. The homes use less than half the energy and water of standard houses. Infrastructure (plumbing and pipes) are installed in each building for future solar collectors for hot water.
The architect-designed homes are built in a tradtional New England farmhouse style, with red cedar shakes and porches with natural cedar posts.
The neighborhood is located on 70 acres on Steele Road along the Nubanusit River, with nearly one mile of river frontage, about a one mile walk from downtown Peterborough.
The Neighborhood has both an in-town feel and a rural character. The homes are clustered on a small portion of the land adjacent to the river, farm fields and woodlands. It is pedestrian friendly, with all vehicular traffic limited to the parking area at the periphery of the neighborhood. Residents may use golf and garden carts as needed.
The Farm consists of fields for pasture, hay, vegetables and fruits. The biodynamically managed farm will also include an apiary, a small dairy, and other farm animals. There is an on-site pond for swimming and skating.
Peterborough is a town of 6,000 located in the beautiful Monadnock region of southwest NH. The town is a vibrant arts & cultural center, and is home to the MacDowell Colony. There are good public and private schools, including Waldorf daycare, preschools, elementary schools, and a highschool in the area. | |
Population Adult Members: 20 (14 of 29 households - -final number undetermined) Child Members: 7 (14 of 29 households - final number undetermined) Non-member Residents: (none) Open to new adults: Yes (forming, 29 households - undetermined) Open to new children: Yes (forming, 29 households - undetermined) Gender Balance: 60% F (14 of 29 households - final number undetermined) (14 of 29 households - final number undetermined) Open to which gender(s): All genders welcome Ethnic Diversity: 40% identify as 'people of color' | Government Decision Making: By consensus (varying decision making methods employed depending on the situation) Leadership Core Group: Yes (Steerting Committee, elected annually) | Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: | Land and Buildings Rural Area: 70 acres (28.3 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 29 (7 single family, 7 duplexes, 2 fourplexes) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: over 50% Share Community Meals: (TBD) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally | Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Shared Spiritual Path: No Which Spiritual Path(s): Ecumenical (includes "all religions") Educational Style(s): Public schooled (TBD) | |
