DecoHousing Denmark
A showcase strata-titled ecovillage in the heart of Denmark, Western Australia
Our Shared Spaces
Common House
A common house is a key concept of cohousing. Our expansive 118 sqm hempcrete common house serves as a hub for group dinners, community gatherings and celebrations, film screenings, house concerts and meetings. It features a spacious communal kitchen, a laundry, a theatre area and a dedicated guestroom for visiting friends and helpers. We also have an onsite co-op with local bulk olive oil and eco-friendly cleaning products.
Gardens and Outdoor Spaces
While each dwelling has its own small private courtyard, most of our outdoor spaces are shared. We have extensive and productive permaculture garden and orchards along with ten lovely chickens that fertilise our fruit trees and supply us with daily eggs. Anyone can plant freely in the common gardens, and the produce is available to all. We share responsibility for the gardens, with each member having their own patch to water, and come together for monthly busy bees for weeding, pruning, mulching and planting.We also have a communal firepit and play equipment for the kids, including a fantastic community-built nature playground!
Integrated Energy System
We generate nearly all of our own energy via an integrated rooftop solar panel and battery storage system. Our energy consumption is significantly reduced through carefully planned passive solar design, 9-star rated houses and efficient appliances such as induction stovetops and hot water heat pumps. Dedicated EV chargers draw from excess solar energy generated during the day then switch to the main grid for night-time charging.
To ensure a constant supply of renewable energy, we have designed the village so that the total energy produced over a year is greater than the total energy consumes. ​During cloudy periods, any shortfall in energy will be provided by Denmark's community windfarm via Western Power.​​
​Denmark Solar and Renewable (DSR) Energy was contracted to install our energy system. For more information about DSR Energy, go to https://dsrenergy.com.au/
The Denmark Community Windfarm (DCW) was one of the first community-owned windfarms in Australia and currently produces around 40% of the town's energy needs from two wind turbines located on the cliffs at Wilson Head. The windfarm is set to double its capacity in the near future.
Deco cofounder and director Paul Llewellyn is also the director of the DCW. Through its Sustainable Living Fund, DCW also provided a grant for our innovative data metering and communications control system.​
For more information about the DCW:
Workshop and other spaces
Our communal workshop is a place to build, repair and tinker! It is well stocked with a range of tools and equipment and is available to all owners and residents. Sharing resources makes economic sense and saves space for households. We also have shared bicycle and garden sheds.
