In September 2005, the Eastern Village Cohousing Condominium (EVC) in Silver Spring, Md., became LEED silver-certified, making it the first LEED-certified cohousing structure. EVC is an adaptive use of an abandoned office building that was transformed into 56 condominium units. Cohousing communities such as EVC are small-scale neighborhoods that provide balance between personal privacy and living amidst people who know and care about each other. EVC attracted many of its residents with the prospect of resource-efficient urban living with friendly neighbors. As a member of the EVC, the presenter has a unique perspective of this community. This presentation will illustrate what a green community can accomplish.

   Learning objectives:

• Develop a connection between green building and cohousing
• Evaluate what an environmentally aware, yet inexperienced, community can accomplish
• Appraise how Eastern Village Cohousing can become a model for green building and operations