A new way of living

[padding] [If you are unable to view this message correctly, click here]( [padding] [Homed header] [spacer] [padding] Hi {NAME}, Imagine living in a little village, with common land, a pond, a town hall, and a communal vege garden. Imagine it’s surrounded by native bush that grows right up to the little houses. And, imagine the people who live there all moved to the village with a common purpose: To live in harmony with nature and each other, and to repair the wilderness. Sounds pretty nice, doesn't it? I was lucky to be given a tour of just such a place this week, when I visited the [Lotus Eco Village in Paraparaumu.]( The thing about Lotus that stood out to me the most, was the sound of the birds. I’ve never heard korimako so loud or close before outside of the Zealandia wildlife reserve in Wellington. The sun was beating down on Kāpiti, but we were often strolling in the shade of tall kanuka trees that were planted in the gully 40 years ago by the community’s ethical and spiritual founder, yoga teacher Eric Doornekamp. It reminded me of Auckland’s Earthsong community, although it had its own tone and feel, very different from that lovely place. One thing co-housing eco-communities are often confused with are communes, but they’re not that at all. They’re intentional communities, [dedicated to connecting with the land and each other.]( It’s how we used to live, before we all got too into our own heads. I’m not sure if co-housing is for me - I’m a tad too introverted for that lifestyle - but I love the spirit that infused the Lotus, and I’ll be thinking about the peace and calm there for a long time to come, I reckon. Have you sent us your test pot competition entry yet? We’re running a competition with our friends at Resene to find the [best and most inspiring home mural painted using Resene test pots.]( You could win a $500 Resene paint voucher and a $500 Prezzy card, but you’ve got to be in to win. There’s only a couple of weeks left so get your murals in now! [padding] [Kylie Klein-Nixon] [padding] Kylie Klein-Nixon [padding] Senior Homed Reporter [padding] [spacer] [padding] Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.]( [spacer] # [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][separator] [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Lotus eco-village]( [spacer] One for all and all for one [spacer] Lotus eco-village is a co-housing project on the Kāpiti coast for “like-minded people”, but it isn’t about group-think, it’s about coming together to make a difference in the world. It’s ‘think global, act local’ in action. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][An artist's sketch of the brutalist home.]( [spacer] Brutal or necessary? You decide [spacer] [Roger Walker once said:](  "A city is a library of buildings. All sizes and styles.” But did he have inexpensive, functional - and ugly - homes like this in mind? [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [Privacy Info]( [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Barbara Parkinson outside of her home.]( [spacer] Leak-free nightmare [spacer] Austin and Barbara Parkinson’s plans to downsize have been turned upside down due to the stigma attached to houses with polystyrene cladding. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][The old school building.]( [spacer] Schooled on reno [spacer] This Nelson architectural icon has been converted from offices, into a charming home - saving the building for another 100-plus years. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [Privacy Info]( [spacer] [Privacy Info]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][A lush backyard.]( [spacer] Jungle in the CBD [spacer] It was a jungle that convinced Miriam to put down roots in Auckland. Not the rainforests of West Auckland, but the lush green subtropical planting at 125 Newton Rd, Eden Terrace, in Auckland Central. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][A modern, concrete home on a hill.]( [spacer] Concrete palace [spacer] It looks like it has been clad in weathered timber but, due to the concrete’s durability, it will last hopefully as long as the Roman Pantheon (125AD). [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [Privacy Info]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [padding] [spacer][Support Stuff]( [Discover more at Homed]( [padding] [spacer] You are receiving this email because you are a opted in to receive the Stuff Homed newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand [spacer] [padding]