Our Journey | DecoHousing Denmark

Our Journey

DecoHousing was created by a small group of people collaborating to build simple, beautiful and sustainable homes with shared spaces and facilities. We created Deco Living Pty Ltd to develop our $4.9 million co-housing project alongside local architects, builders, earthmovers and other professionals, turning a 6,000 square meter patch of sand into a truly sustainable community. We took occupancy on 1 September 2018.

The Group Begins

Tired of mowing lawns and raking leaves on their 'dream' rural block 6 km outside of Denmark, local social worker Pamela Rumble and environmental planner Paul Llewellyn launched a vision statement calling for expressions of interest in a collaborative cohousing project. People got in touch, and the DecoHousing Group was born. Rather than building individual houses on separate blocks, group members collaborated to build a people-friendly, local neighbourhood comprising 12 strata-titled households, a substantial common house and shared facilitates. Management consultant Donald Clarke and accountant Ary Clarke came on board and established a development company, Deco Living Pty Ltd (DLPL), to design, build and construct the cohousing project. With a billboard at the project entrance off Mt Shadforth Rd, the project was unveiled. The group then shared its vision with others at open days and events.

Planning

DLPL spent months assessing the suitability and feasability of land in Denmark. Planning was overseen by project manager Paul Llewellyn, who led a skilled project and design team with expertise in corporate and project management, financial analysis, community development and project administration. The team undertook financial modelling, surveying and detailed geotechnical investigations. Lot 11 Mt Shadforth Rd, zoned Residential R20, was eventually chosen for the project. The roughly square block slopes gently from Wattle Way down to Millars Creek and has an 8m-wide easement to Mt Shadforth Rd. Its sunny location was perfect for passive solar houses and terraced gardens, and its moderate topography and proximity to Denmark's CBD lent itself to higher density development and walkability in urban precincts, in line with the WA Government's Liveable Neighbourhoods Community Design Code.

Solar, battery and hot water systems

DSR Energy is a Denmark-based power systems consultancy and was contracted to install our solar, battery and hot water systems. Find out more at https://dsrenergy.com.au/

Project manager Paul Llewellyn

Paul is an environmental planning and management consultant with over 30 years' experience. His knowledge of economics and planning has enabled him to develop community-scale enterprises, including the Denmark Community Windfarm. Paul co-founded the WA Greens party and has served as convenor, policy coordinator and member of parliament. He has worked in government and private enterprise in the areas of planning, policy development and project management.

Architects

Tom Stevens and Laurence Cuthbert of H&H Architects were recruited to design the project. H&H Architects focuses on socially and environmentally sustainable house design. Find out more at https://www.hharchitects.com.au/

Financial Support

To ensure adequate financial risk management and fund the construction of unallocated units, DLPL applied to Social Enterprise Finance Australia (SEFA) for a grant of $1.2 million. SEFA was established in 2011 and aims to lead the development of social impact lending in Australia using innovative solutions to build a stronger and more dynamic social enterprise sector. It is committed to fostering positive community, Indigenous and environmental impact while achieving financial returns.

Find out more about SEFA at https://sefa.com.au/

The Construction

On 15 March 2016, 23 months after purchasing the land, we were ready to turn the first sod and start cutting terraces for the sand pads. Our senior community elder Rhona was given the honour of breaking ground before handing it over to the earthmoving contractor. Then it was fencing up and cutting away of turf, spoil and clay in preparation for sand.

In mid-October 2016, after a tender process drawing bids throughout the south-west, DLPL appointed AK Homes to construct the project. Hempcrete was integral to the construction of Deco. Hempcrete is a unique, highly sustainable biocomposite building material (a blend of hemp and lime-based binder) with excellent thermal and acoustic properties. Additionally, hempcrete is produced primarily from renewable resources and sequesters approximately 110 kg of carbon dioxide per cubic meter.

Naturally, the community helped out with the build!