Located on the site of the old High Street School, at the corner of High and Alva Sts, Toiora Cohousing is home to about 50 adults and children. They live in 24 units of varying sizes, the design of which was led by residents Tim Ross and Maria Callau.
Resident Anne Thomson said after nearly two years’ occupancy, the community was flourishing, with landscaping and gardens, a former school building repurposed as a common house and a central lawn at its heart.
Residents could often be found there, drinking coffee with their neighbours while keeping an eye on children playing, or enjoying barbecues and picnics.
Jessica Ross and husband James own a two-storey, four-bedroom unit, where they live with their children Grace (4) and Lucy (2).
James’ parents also live at Toiora, enabling the family to maintain close contact.
"This is the first home we have owned, and we feel very lucky to be living in a brand-new place, built to such a high standard," Mrs Ross said.
"It is great for the children to have their grandparents nearby, and to be growing up mingling with people of so many different age groups — it’s very freeing.
"The children all hang out and play together — it’s like an old-fashioned neighbourhood."
Mrs Thomson lives in a two-storey unit with husband Ian and daughter Moira, and has been involved in the Toiora concept since the beginning.
"At Toiora Cohousing everyone knows their neighbours, and if anyone is short of a pinch of nutmeg for dessert or a tool for a DIY project there are plenty of people to ask," she said.
And proving the concept that "many hands make light work", the neighbours find projects — from creating gardens to putting up pergolas or digging a sandpit — surprisingly quick to achieve.
"We get a lot done."
Tenants Kennedy and Nick Hope moved to Dunedin from Ireland with their son Lachlan (4) last August. Nick works at Dunedin Hospital, and had found Toiora a friendly and welcoming place.
"Coming in, we have immediately felt part of things," Mrs Hope said.
"It has been just so nice — we have found an instant community and instant friends."
At 84 years, Janet Yiakmis is the oldest resident at Toiora and loved living in her rented one-bedroom unit.
A surrogate grandmother to many of the children on-site, she had many young visitors, and enjoyed looking out over the playground at the centre of the site.
"I have always lived where there are lots of people, so the mix of people here is a big plus for me," she said.
"People have been very kind, I was well looked after when I had Covid, and the children are just lovely," Ms Yiakmis said.
All were impressed by the energy efficient construction of the Toiora units, which were built on the passive house (passivhaus) principle, with a complete thermal envelope, triple glazing, and heat recovery system.
The homes maintain a constant comfortable temperature throughout, without the need for heating, and are very quiet.
Power bills are low.
Mrs Ross said living closely with about 50 people, with many varying opinions and ideas, could have its challenges, but that it had helped her to develop her interpersonal skills.
"I have learned more patience, tolerance and openness — I feel I have really grown living here."
- The Toiora Cohousing open day will be held this Saturday, March 18, from 11am-3pm. The communal areas will be opened up for people to explore, and light refreshments will be provided.
Those who want to learn more about co-housing are welcome to attend 30-minute presentations at 11.30am and 2pm.
