Building Community with Sustainable Design

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Note: We are currently updating this website to better represent our current status as an operational cohousing community. Please excuse the out-of-date or inconsistent information during the changeover.

Community

Stellulata Cohousing is a small cooperative residential community in North Canberra. Three couples live in self-contained units and share additional facilities. We collaborate in community tasks and decision making. We support each other by sharing resources and knowledge. We manage our shared resources prudently to keep our costs low and minimise our ecological footprint. Read more about cohousing and our Community.

Design

Where possible, cohousing residents participate in the design of the community so that it meets their needs. We worked with a great architect to ensure the physical layout and orientation of the buildings encourage a sense of community and social interactions. We focussed on sustainability throughout the design. Passive solar design principles were employed including insulation, thermal mass, double-glazing, shading, and natural cross-ventilation. The buildings include photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with battery storage, high-efficiency electric appliances for hot water, heating and lighting, plus rainwater harvesting. Meet the founders in 2019 as they discuss the sustainable design with our architect (4-minute video below) or read more about our Design.

History

In 2018, the ACT Government selected our proposal as a Demonstration Housing Project to test whether the model will be suitable more generally in the Canberra community. There was no funding but we received advice during the lengthy review and approval process. In late 2023 Alliance Building Group - ACT began construction. In March 2025 we moved into our beautiful home, with great appreciation for the excellent work of many people. See our Acknowledgements page or read more about our History.

Stellulata Cohousing - Discussing the Design

4 minutes of interviews with the Stellulata Team in 2019 discussing the design of their cohousing community

Contact and Latest News

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News Updates
ABC News comes to visit
ABC News comes to visit

We are finally settled in our new home. This is how the ABC saw it.

Moving in
Moving in

Yes, we have moved in but it's still a building site.

How did you decide...
How did you decide...

Even before we move in to our new home, (it’s real close now), people have been asking, “How did you decide…?”

Close but not complete
Close but not complete

At the end of 2024, the construction of Stellulata Cohousing has progressed a long way but is not complete. Thank you to all those who have followed our story and supported our efforts.

Warming to HVAC
Warming to HVAC

Who knew air conditioning could be so complicated? We have learned a lot during this project and that includes an appreciation of HVAC – heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

SW Oval 20240507_135656.jpg
Locked Up!

After some rain and other minor delays, our building is at lock-up stage. We are delighted to see the wonderful design features emerging from the construction activity.

Our Solar Power Design
Our Solar Power Design

Choosing a solar power system was always a key decision for us. This is how we approached it and decided to select Solargain to provide our solar energy solution.

Halfway through Construction
Halfway through Construction

Stellulata Cohousing construction is halfway through a 12-month program and we are still on budget and on schedule.

Concrete slab finished
Concrete slab finished

As promised, Alliance Building Group has managed to get the Stellulata Cohousing project out of the ground before the summer holidays.

We are dedicated to minimising our carbon footprint through innovative approaches in construction. Here is how we approached the problems with concrete.

Month One of Construction
Month One of Construction

Construction of the Stellulata Cohousing building is moving quickly now. Of course, “getting out of the ground” appears to be a slow process but we are optimistic that the concrete slab will be poured before the Christmas.