Definition
Charles Durrett is an American architect, urban planner, and author who is widely recognized as a pioneer of the cohousing movement in the United States.
Overview
Durrett co‑founded The Cohousing Company, a design and consulting firm dedicated to planning and building cohousing communities, in 1999. Together with architect Kathryn McCamant, he introduced the concept of cohousing—originating in Denmark—to North America through a series of built projects and publications. Their collaborative work includes the seminal book Co‑housing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves (2000), which has become a foundational text for practitioners and scholars.
Durrett has designed or consulted on dozens of cohousing developments across the United States, ranging from family‑oriented villages to senior cohousing communities. He has also authored The Senior Cohousing Handbook (2010) and contributed to other works on intentional communities and sustainable living. His advocacy emphasizes shared resources, participatory decision‑making, and environmentally responsible design.
Etymology/Origin
- Charles is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning “free man.”
- Durrett is an English surname of uncertain precise origin; it may be a variant of “Durrett” or “Durretts,” historically associated with families in the United Kingdom.
Accurate information about Durrett’s family background and the linguistic development of his surname is not confirmed in publicly available encyclopedic sources.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Professional focus | Architecture and urban planning with a specialization in cohousing design and community development. |
| Key publications | Co‑housing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves (co‑author, 2000); The Senior Cohousing Handbook (co‑author, 2010). |
| Major projects | Design and consulting on numerous U.S. cohousing sites, including the first American cohousing community in Ithaca, New York (1991) and multiple senior cohousing villages. |
| Design principles | Emphasis on shared communal spaces, resident participation in governance, ecological sustainability, and the integration of private and collective housing units. |
| Recognition | Frequently cited as a leading authority on cohousing; his work is referenced in academic studies on intentional communities and sustainable housing. |
| Affiliations | Co‑founder of The Cohousing Company; collaborator with Kathryn McCamant; speaker at conferences on urban design and community building. |
Related Topics
- Cohousing – A form of intentional community that combines private homes with shared facilities, originating in Denmark.
- Intentional communities – Planned residential communities designed around shared values.
- Senior cohousing – Cohousing models tailored to the needs of older adults.
- Kathryn McCamant – Architect and co‑author who worked closely with Durrett on introducing cohousing to North America.
- The Cohousing Company – The design and consulting firm co‑founded by Durrett.
- Sustainable architecture – Architectural practice aimed at minimizing environmental impact, a principle reflected in many of Durrett’s projects.
Note: While Charles Durrett is a well‑documented figure within the cohousing field, certain biographical details such as his exact birth date and early personal history are not widely published in reliable encyclopedic sources.