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“We believe that meaningful personal connections are the primary building blocks of healthy people and strong, resilient communities.”
Driftwood Village’s entrance breezeway leads into the central courtyard, an open west-facing gem behind the front facade of the building.
The courtyard (almost 4000 square feet) is the central meeting place, visible from all levels. In addition to people coming and going as they go about their days, you may see neighbours dining alfresco, the youngest residents in a safe outdoor play area, and older children returning from Wagg Creek via the back stairs and lower garden area.
Off the main courtyard, the common house (over 1200 square feet) is the heart of the community. With an enormous kitchen and large dining room, there is space for everything from shared meals to private parties, after school snacks to evening cocktails, concerts to crafts. In addition, near the community mailbox, the lounge overlooks the dining room, for those who prefer a little separation from the main event.
3D floor plan of Driftwood’s common kitchen, dining room and lounge
“With life getting busier and busier these days, I can’t wait to share some of the responsibility of cooking with my awesome community of neighbours!”
Drone view of Chesterfield Avenue and West 21st Street from the height of Driftwood’s rooftop garden
On the 3000 square foot rooftop deck of the main building, Driftwood Village residents share a community garden with extra space for casual seating to enjoy views in all directions, from the Lions Gate Bridge, to the North Shore mountains, to the City of North Vancouver skyline.
The two smaller buildings on the western half of the site are pre-wired for solar panels.
Example of community rooftop garden
“The community garden is a real highlight for me. I’m looking forward to gardening with children of all ages, and grateful that my kids can learn from the other community elders and veggie gardeners.”
Located on the 5th floor, the multipurpose room (500 square feet) is available for smaller gatherings, exercising or craft projects. The attached deck (almost 400 square feet) has southwest exposure with views of the city and water, perfect for relaxing in the summer or enjoying a community wine tasting.
3D floor plan of Driftwood’s multipurpose room and deck
Drone view to the west from the height of Driftwood’s multipurpose room
3D floor plan of Driftwood’s indoor playroom
The indoor playroom (240 square feet) is safe for all ages, and is a natural place for growing children to gain independence. Located across the courtyard from the common house, adults appreciate the auditory separation after a common meal, as they converse while kids play together.
“I can practice my handstands anywhere — especially in the playroom at Driftwood!”
3D floor plan of Driftwood’s guest suite
Residents share access to the two-bedroom guest suite (300 square feet) on the third floor, which provides guests with privacy and space to retreat. In addition, the guest rooms can double as work spaces, when residents need a quiet space for a conference call or online meeting.
“We are able to live in a smaller, more affordable unit because of the suite for out-of-town guests, and because our boys can goof around in the shared playroom. ”
3D floor plan of Driftwood’s common laundry
All homes in Driftwood Village have washer/dryer hookups, but there is also a shared laundry room off the courtyard with 3 sets of full-size machines (and hookups for a 4th set if needed). This flexibility allows each household to choose which laundry system will work best for their family.
“There are so many things in our daily lives that we don’t need to own individually, and we can help maintain collectively: laundry room, car share, toys and tools...”
Is parking and storage available at Driftwood Village Cohousing?
Usually, the underground level doesn’t get prime attention from most developers. But when the future residents of a building are involved in design, they consider all aspects of living in the building. Is there space for a workshop? What about bike parking and maintenance? What if the size of my vehicle changes? How can we get enough storage? Driftwood Village residents know the less glamorous side of the building has been well thought out.
“We have a large group of passionate cyclists. They’ve inspired me to purchase an e-bike and I’ve started cycling again after a 15 year hiatus!”
A 500 square foot workshop provides space for woodworking, bike maintenance and other projects.
Each household has a 4x6’ storage locker. There is additional space for shared community storage (e.g. extra chairs or camping coolers).
Bike parking is provided in two rooms, and allocated with an understanding of different bicycle types and access needs.
Chargers are available for electric vehicles, as well as for e-bikes in the bike rooms.
There are 3 visitor parking stalls in the underground parkade.
Parking is available for those who need it. Parking is held as common property, so the allocation of spaces can be revisited if needed, based on different vehicles or household needs.
Example of bike storage
Example of community workshop
“I can’t wait to trade handyman skills or time in the workshop building custom products in exchange for good home cooking!”
Rear view of the west side of Driftwood Village, showing access to the parkade from the rear lane
designed to be social
Every part of Driftwood Village was designed to foster social interactions between neighbours - both planned and spontaneous - while protecting individual and household privacy. In addition to the architectural features listed below, learn more about our multigenerational community and how we work together.
Example of outdoor walkways
outdoor walkways
With a five-storey building, an elevator is a necessity. But an elevator doesn’t need to open to a boring closed-off hallway! In Driftwood Village, covered outdoor walkways give all residents a view of the courtyard as they go to and from their homes.
Example of kitchen sink facing courtyard
layout of private homes
All homes open to the central courtyard, and where possible, the kitchen sinks face the courtyard, allowing residents the chance to see what’s happening in their community. As much as possible, the private zones of the home (e.g. living room and bedrooms) are oriented away from the courtyard.
Example of community update board
community mailroom
The mailroom is the inevitable logistics centre of any multi-family development. In Driftwood Village, it’s located in the common house, so you may see a neighbour, smell the common meal cooking, get invited on a hike, or check out the newest game for tweens.
Example of shared workspace
space to work, space to relax
Driftwood Village recognizes the real life involves changing your focus from time to time. Sometimes you’re running to take an online meeting in the guest suite, sometimes you want to visit with a neighbour over a cuppa - and when you live in a cohousing community, your neighbours understand.