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Forming Formed: 2006
Dream Tiger Arts Sanctuary
Northern California?, California,
United States
(Location search is just beginning.)
Fort Bragg, California,
United States
(Near the Mendocino county coast, but a little inland.)
Inspired by Nature
 We intend to create a vibrant artists' live-work community, built from scratch in a reasonably natural setting. We believe that beautiful light-filled eco-wave spaces can be built affordably by their owners using simple methods, and are beginning research on this topic. Peace and quiet, and escape from the rent cycle should be something that anyone with a little nest egg can achieve through sweat equity combined with a bit of inspired guidance.
Taking Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, Japanese traditional homes, and Shigeru Ban as initial inspiration, this will not be a grungy city warehouse scene, but a profoundly aesthetic country retreat. Be prepared to work really hard (really), and make architectural history, after which you will actually have time to make art history, if it matters to you. This will not be a place to pull up a trailer, crack a beer & say you're done. We intend to create experimental architecture.
The principal barrier is the high cost of land, especially in California. Architectural research and finding a suitable location are likely to consume the first year or so, and the search is not limited to California. We invite all suggestions in overcoming this "difficulty at the beginning." You are welcome to join our online discussions.
Our architectural aim is extreme simplicity in the creation of space and light, combined with harmony with the natural environment. Beautiful and affordable housing with a green focus might be an appropriate description.
"Green Building" can be a misleading term. Many examples are simply demonstration palaces, no cheaper to own & operate than conventional construction. They prove nothing but what we already know: The wealthy may live as they wish.
The real goal of an intelligent person should be to own the home outright upon completion, and to have near-zero energy and maintenance costs. In addition, we hope to demonstrate that affordable need not mean small, boring or conventional. We are saying intentional neighborhood, rather than intentional community.
It has been demonstrated again & again that conventional construction methods are ruinously expensive and environmentally destructive. It could easily be argued that the way we live is destroying the planet. Alternatives exist in abundance, and are being explored by ordinary people around the country. Let's stop chasing money to pay astronomical rent and energy bills. It is time to help show the world the way to the future!
  Status: This is an online discussion about possibilities.
Website: http://www.ecotopian.net/community/
Contact:
Dream Tiger
POB 401
Lagunitas, California 94938-0401 United States

Email This Community!
Links:
The Ecotopian: Blog documenting visioning and design process of Dream Tiger
Last Updated:4/3/2008
 
Visitors Accepted
 (The community doesn't exist yet, but you can visit us online.)
Visitor Process: Click on the links in the box at right above.
Population
Adult Members:
15
(just forming, so this is a wild guess)
Child Members:
5
(just forming, so this is a wild guess)
Gender Balance:
50% M 50% F
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
(This ought to be interesting.)
Identified Leader:
No Answer
(More like building consultant.)
Leadership Core Group:
No Answer
(We shall see. There will be some core agreements.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(You will share in community land and infrastructure costs, but your home will be your own.)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
No Answer
(You run your own life. We are not here to save you.)
Labor Contribution:
(At times, labor can be a substitute for money. Everyone has something to contribute.)
Join Fee:
No
(You will be part of a group of investors developing a small intentional neighborhood.)
Regular Fees:
No Answer
(Only your fair share of common costs.)
Land and Buildings
Rural
(Not too remote, though.)
Land Owned By:
Community-controlled land trust
(We need to research this.)
Number of Residences:
12
(Just a guess.)
Cohousing:
Yes
(Basically, yes. We will find out what works best for us.)
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
6-20%
(Can't be too idealistic at this point.)
Share Community Meals:
1-3 times/month
(Not too regimented, but we need to stay in touch.)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Primarily vegetarian
(Flexible, AKA semi-veg.)
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
(No drunks!)
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
(Yuk, really!)
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
No Answer
(Sexuality is not our focus. What you do with your primary partner in private is none of our business.)
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No Answer
(Polyamorists discouraged. We don't need the drama.)
Shared Spiritual Path:
No Answer
(Art and Dreams-Creativity can be a spiritual path for some.)
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Other
(Your spirituality is your business, not ours. We find common ground in creative practices, such as making art and sharing dreams.)
Educational Style(s):
Private school at the community
(This ought to be interesting.)
 
 
Inspired by Nature
Inspired by Dreams
Click an image to see it full size.


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