Sacred Garden Urban Village Community
Community Housing
Return to the Home Page of the Village Community
/ Visit the Gardens / Visit
the Chapel and Meeting House
Here find...
Designing Community - An introduction
Introduction to the idea of community by design. Origins of the vision
etc
Sofia's intro blurb goes in here.
Menu / Return to the Home Page
of the Village Community
The concept of thresholds of invitation
In designing our commmunity, the principle of invitation is paramount.
Invitation is the principle which enables both respectful connection and
desired solitude to occur within the context of community.
In the built environment, this shows up as thresholds of privacy, begining
with the defined but permeable boundary of the community within the surrounding
neighbourhood, progressing through communal outdoor and indoor spaces,
to enclosed garden spaces and clustered housing, to each individual's private
room, courtyard or balcony.
In community culture this shows up as clearly defined boundaries, for
example, there is a clearly defined process by which newcomers can become
more deeply involved in the life of the community, with the steps along
the way clearly signposted. Hopefully this minimises the potential for
confusion and conflict present in every social context. Everyone
knows where they and others stand and can clearly see what commitments
and acceptances are required to move further in or out of the 'hub' of
things. Feeling safe and fulfilled is a constant background
issue for anyone that has grown up in a Western culture. Negotiating
a working balance between personal and collective responsibility for an
individual's growth and wellbeing with the community is an ongoing process.
Ultimately, as individuals work to reclaim their sense of personal empowerment,
everyone benefits.
Menu / Return to the Home Page
of the Village Community
The Built Environment
The original vision for the Village Community included some detail about
the nature of the built environment. Refer to the document "Connection,
Solitude and Reverence - Towards an Urban Village Community" for
an overview of these.
Work is in progress on developing the architectural design briefs for
the Village Community, pending the acquisition of land somewhere in the
Perth metropolitan area. Anyone interested in contributing should
contact Zdenka Underwood.
Menu / Return to the Home Page
of the Village Community
Towards a Cultural Transformation
What's dreamt about the culture of the Village Community...
"... the journey of a shift from a culture
basedon materialism, domination and ownership
to a culture wherereverant relationships and spirit
are central "
We are dreaming of a way of life where the sacred has
been restored to the centre of our existence..
Some elements of our envisioned way of being together include:
-
community meditations
-
celebrations - rituals, circle dancing, seasonal festivals
-
recognition of the various cycles and thresholds in our lives - eg. couplings,
partings, births, deaths...
-
having a personal commitment to a spiritual journey, whatever that looks
like to each of us, and to our own ongoing growth as human beings
-
small groups for 'journeying together' spiritually / as members of this
community
-
making contributions towards society in general - being active and/or supporting
the activists in our communty
-
choosing an annual focus - a project or 'cause' to which community members
are invited to contribute
In addition to the ongoing work of planning for the community, the "Core
Group" currently meet periodically for meditation, and the occasional social
dinner. Other elements of the community culture are still under development.
Anyone with energy to contribute to this process, and/or to the planning
and coordination of social events for the extended 'community of interest',
should contact Wendy, Sofia
or Ruth.
Go to menu / Return to the Home
Page of the Village Community
Legal and Financial Structures
An Incorporated Association has been formed as a stepping stone to the
establishment of the community. Membership is by application.
Work is in progress to design the appropriate legal and financial structures
to enable the purchase of land and the building of the village.
For further information contact the Legal and Finances working
group [Douglas, Christopher].
Go to menu / Return to the Home
Page of the Village Community