Planting the Seeds for an Urban CoHousing MicroVillage in Winston Salem

This project embraces the power of collaboration, equitable living and community practices grounded in a new way of listening with care to one another.

Vision

We are planting seeds for an intergenerational residential microvillage in Winston Salem!

Picture a diverse mix of owners, renters and rent to owners. We will each have our own private small house or private suite in a co-living home, and cooperate on additional resources. Grounded in a commitment to exceptional communication and mutual aid, we can co-create a way of being at home, work and play that is connected and sustainable.

Designing and Planning

This plan (not final) shows a model for subdividing the 7.4 acre property that currently has 1 house into 5 separate plots for housing and shared land.

1 lot will be a "cottage court" with 7 homes of mixed size
2 residential lots will be co-living homes+ADUs, mainly for single folks, where each person has their own space and the house shares common spaces.
The existing home will be expanded a little and used as a shared resource.

We will all share over 3 acres of field and forest to cultivate into growing food, rewilding, being good neighbors with the species that belong here.

What are we building?

House Style: Mix of unit sizes and affordability tiers to support diversity in ages stages and economies
Style: Homey, earthy, sustainable sturdy “right sized” homes.
Land Use: Permaculture design to maximize people and place connections; minimize driveways and garages, reclaiming space for shared areas.
Shared Resources Art studio, gardens, and sustainable features (e.g., solar, water reclamation). After housing, we will construct a multi-use "barndominium" with event space, outdoor glamping areas - available for shared use daycare/homeschool during the day, dances/meetings in the evenings and events on the weekends.

Timeline

Winter 2025-2026

Civil Engineering and permits to subdivide the land - an essential step for housing permits.
Design: Triage which projects to start first, break ground and get building!
Land-work to prepare for housing, gardens and food forest. Remove invasive species and begin soil building
Community Care - Book Club, Fire Circles, Vision Boarding, other opportunities to participate in the pre-build "dream and seed" phases
Community Operations - Development and acceptance of foundational community operations guidelines
Financial & Legal Model research

COMING SOON

PERMITS: Based on sketch plan meeting feedback, revise plans, draw up formal civil engineering and permit applications. Depending on need for special variances, approval of plans will take 2 - 5 MONTHS.

Past Milestones

February 2025 Property acquired, Existing Conditions and Cul de Sac subdivision concepts drawings completed by Allied Land Survey and Design

Throughout 2025 Weekly or biweekly "Village Dreamer" calls to dream together, learn things, provide feedback on designs

February-May 2025 House improvements to existing single family farmhouse; first residents move into sin

March 2025 Sketch Plan Meeting with City to get feedback on subdivision plan

Spring-Summer 2025 Landmates begin field work, planting, solar installation to irrigate from the creek

July 2025 Design Kick Off Meeting, Formal Survey completed

September 2025 First conceptual drawings provided based on zone review completed by Root Down Design & Communitecture

Fall 2025 Iterative design based on conceptual drawings, dreamer input

Fall 2025 Monday Radical Book Cub begins

October 2025 Application for grant to create fiber/dyes garden, First formal Dreamers Fire Gathering Event

November 2025 Sketch Plan Meeting with City to get feedback on new masterplan - advice is to generate a subdivision application that includes a comprehensive residential infrastructure plan. This will likely take civil engineers 2-4 months to complete

November 2025 First formal Friends Gathering event

What is a Sketch Plan Meeting?

At any stage, City Planners will allow a sketch plan meeting to provide feedback on the designs. We use this to refine and prepare to formal permit applications with the city. It is a free service supported by the planning department to reduce delays in permitting process.

Land

The property is 7.46 acres in Winston Salem off Jonestown road. It has fields, forest, a farmhouse and 2 other buildings. It is in a suburban area of the city that is being taken over and developed with high density single family homes. It is at the end of a road, abutting some flood land that will likely stay un-developed, a set of agricultural lots, and urban multifamily developments.
The plan is to develop housing and parking near the road, build a common house and short term stay buildings in the back, and leave a remaining 3(ish) acres open to gardens and other shared amenities.

Seed Team & Landmates

Founding Investor (& current resident): Rayellen Kishbach, Winston Salem - I have been inspired by, learning and practicing community skills for a long time, including living in cohousing, creating community gathering places, and participating in and facilitiating circles and retreats. The initial spark for Olamina Commons is mine, and I'm looking forward to sharing the process.

Village Historian (& future resident): Kay Endress, Winston Salem

Village Elder (& Jack Of All Trades, seasonal resident): Ray Kishbach

Dinosaur Village Mom (& future resident): Becka Stone

Land Projects Team: Taylor Marshall, Mason Stevens, Riley Oaks, Taeya Boi-Doku

Community Operations Manager: Chloe Buzzotta Whole Systems Network - Ecovillage Consultant and Strategist

Her passions lie in community building for a greener and just Earth. She has taught and spoken globally at ecovillage/ permaculture events. Chloe is a pivotal voice within the Ecovillage movement involvement. She and her wife are currently residing in North Carolina where they are building community, growing food, and facilitating grassroots activism.

Leonie Brien, collaborator

For 30 years she grew up in a thriving community. She has realized the importance of recreating these idyllic spaces. She has hosted countless eco-engagements and has visited ecovillages internationally. She has a passion for supporting the local food movement and is working with Chloe to continue to build intentional communities.

Realtor: Donna Claytor, Coldwell Banker - I'm a single mom with a passion for life and a genuine love for helping people. Whether it was the children I inspired as a coach and physical education teacher or the lives I impact today as a leading real estate professional. I enjoy traveling, reading and following my daughter as she plays collegiate basketball. My dream is to make every moment count for you during your real estate experience. When you work with me toward the sale or purchase of your home, you can count on me to be there for you every step of the way with sound guidance and personal support.

Design Team

Mark Lakeman, founder of Communitecture Architecture and the City Repair Project
Vale Larson-Brasted, Architect Communitecture
April Magill, Executive Director Root Down Building Collective
Rayellen Kishbach, Instigator Olamina Homes (Working title)

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