Seattle’s lower income communities, particularly in the Central District and Rainier Valley, have endured decades of displacement. Redlining, housing and employment discrimination, and predatory real estate practices have systematically denied many the opportunity to own homes and build wealth. Since the 1970s, families that once thrived in these neighborhoods have been pushed out, losing their homes and the generational wealth that could have provided future stability.

Corvidae Co-op directly addresses these disparities by offering affordable, sustainable homeownership, welcoming back those who have been displaced.

An Innovative Solution for Affordable, Sustainable Living

Corvidae Co-op introduces a new model of shared-equity housing that balances individual and collective ownership. By creatively navigating housing and land use policies, the project consists of 10 co-op residences on two lots within single-family zoning guidelines. In an area where the median home price exceeds $875,000, and single-family homes often surpass $1 million, Corvidae stands out by offering more attainable housing. Instead of constructing two multi-million-dollar homes, the project delivers 10 residences, including four subsidized by the Seattle Office of Housing, with prices starting at $170,000. This model not only keeps purchase prices and living expenses low, but also allows residents to build individual equity while maintaining shared amenities, fostering both personal and community sustainability.

Located in Rainier Valley, just a short walk from the Mount Baker Light Rail Station, Corvidae is 4-Star Built Green certified and designed with sustainability at its core. The project features ten 2-bedroom, 1-bedroom, and studio residences: 6 suites and 4 independent units, averaging 600 square feet each. The co-op design fosters a balance of shared and private spaces to allow for gatherings and shared experiences when desired.

Partnerships Rooted in Equity and Vision

Corvidae is a collaborative effort between Allied8, Frolic, and Green Canopy NODE.

"This project wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of our partners," said Leah from Allied8. "I knew I had a committed team behind me, and that was invaluable. Purpose is what drives buy-in, and every partner brought their passion and expertise to ensure Corvidae Co-op could offer a sustainable, affordable pathway to homeownership."

• Allied8, the architect and co-developer and original visionary investor behind Corvidae, led the design of the project, balancing the needs of individual residents with the collective good. The thoughtful layout of the homes and shared spaces reflects their deep understanding of how architecture can foster community and support equitable living.

• Frolic, co-developer alongside Allied8, brought a unique perspective to the project, ensuring that the co-op model remains financially accessible and replicable across other sites in Seattle. Their co-op model aligned with the project’s goal of creating long-term affordability for future generations.

• Green Canopy NODE, serving as both financial consultant and builder, brought expertise in sustainable development and affordable housing. With a strong commitment to equity and community, Green Canopy NODE ensured that Corvidae was not only financially viable but also met the highest standards of environmental sustainability and social impact.

Other key partners include Urban Black, 1st Security Bank, and Rainier Valley Community Development Fund.

A Replicable Model for the Future of Seattle

Corvidae goes beyond being a standalone project, demonstrating how single-family zoning can be reimagined to create equitable and multigenerational housing across the city. With its shared-equity structure and focus on affordability, Corvidae offers a scalable solution to Seattle’s housing challenges.

"Corvidae Co-op represents everything Green Canopy NODE stands for: sustainability, equity, and community. We’re grateful to have played a role in making this vision a reality, and it’s truly rewarding to see the positive impact it will have on future generations," shared Sam Lai, co-founder of Green Canopy NODE.

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Learn more about Corvidae: https://corvidaeco-op.com/
Partner with Green Canopy NODE on your next project: https://www.greencanopynode.com/development-services

Designed by Schemata Workshop and built by Green Canopy NODE, Sunnyside Village Cohousing is a multigenerational community intended to foster neighborly connection, sustainability, and healthy living.

The Sunnyside Village Cohousing team celebrates groundbreaking

Green Canopy NODE’s Sam Lai, Chief Development Officer and Justin Hooks, Vice President of Construction

SEATTLE, Washington (October 3, 2023) - Sunnyside Village Cohousing, Schemata Workshop, and Green Canopy NODE alongside community members and stakeholders celebrated the groundbreaking of Sunnyside Village this summer . This event marks a significant milestone in the journey towards creating a vibrant and sustainable intentional community located in Marysville, Washington.

Sunnyside Village Cohousing is dedicated to sustainability, intergenerational living, and organic gardening - fostering a more connected way of life. The community, designed by Schemata Workshop and built by Green Canopy NODE, will comprise four-star Built Green cottages, a shared common house, and organic community gardens. Sunnyside Village is currently accepting reservations for homes with a limited number of homes remaining available.

“After many years of effort and planning, it is exciting to see our dream becoming a reality. It is fulfilling our desire to live in a community where no one feels isolated or lonely, where people are friendly and neighborly with each other, and where parents have support for raising their children,” said Jennie Lindberg, co-founder of Sunnyside Village. “We love the skill, caring, attention to detail and professionalism of our team, Green Canopy NODE and Schemata Workshop.”

Embracing Connection Through Design

Sunnyside Village Cohousing is not just a residential development; it's a blueprint for a more connected way of life, thoughtfully intended to combat postmodern loneliness. Designed by architectural firm Schemata Workshop, Sunnyside Village has been meticulously planned to cultivate neighborly connections and nurture an affinity for nature.

Sunnyside Village will offer 32 independent cottages, complemented conveniently located clustered parking designed to minimize the project's ecological footprint. At its heart lies a common house, housing home offices, a children's playroom, and a communal kitchen, among other amenities. What sets Sunnyside Village apart is its extensive outdoor green spaces, featuring a community garden, orchard, and berry patch. These spaces are envisioned as hubs for forging connections and fostering social capital, with harvested organic produce contributing to weekly communal meals shared by residents.

“Cohousing is different from other types of housing, not by the physical form, but rather by the intentionality of the residents to live collaboratively and interdependently,” said Grace Kim, Principal Architect at Schemata Workshop. “Many of us learned through the pandemic that complete independence was isolating and lonely. Cohousing offers resilient neighborhoods where people are more socially connected- resulting in longer lives for those who chose this housing option.”

Partnerships for Sustainability

The shared commitment to sustainability and a deeper sense of community unites Schemata Workshop, Sunnyside Village Cohousing, and Green Canopy NODE in this transformative project. The collective partnership signifies an effort to make better decisions for the community and the planet.

“It’s been a pleasure working shoulder to shoulder with the brilliant people at Sunnyside community and Schemata Workshop in such an inspirational project. Our aggressive social, environmental, and financial goals would not have come to fruition without deep trust and healthy communication facilitated by Karen Gimnig, our process consultant.”

Green Canopy NODE brings its depth of consulting expertise to the development, contributing to conceptual design, risk analysis, and facilitating the community in realizing its vision, in addition to general contracting services to bring the project to life.

Integrated Development Solutions

Green Canopy NODE offers comprehensive development solutions, supporting developer clients engaged in multi-unit residential projects at every stage of the development journey. From pre-development to architecture, construction management, and consulting, Green Canopy NODE is committed to building sustainable homes faster to meet clients’ financial, social, and environmental goals.

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About Sunnyside Village Cohousing: Sunnyside Village is a cohousing community with a strong focus on its organic garden. Residents will live in 32 cottages and share ownership in a Common House for community activities and some shared meals. Members own their home and the lot it is built on. As a forming community, their mission is to create a cohousing community of diverse people who share vision and values – solidarity, sustainability, and democracy.

About Schemata Workshop: Schemata Workshop is an architecture and urban design practice that empowers people and their communities. The firm values community, equity, and sustainability. Their team approaches each project with the goal of creating resilient communities. They design with integrity, believing in honest, expressive use of materials, and always preferring local resources and production.

About Green Canopy NODE: Green Canopy NODE is a mission-driven construction technology, real estate development, and fund management company. Over its history, it has sought to embrace the innovation required to change the current paradigm of housing development and deliver on its commitment to help regenerate communities and environments. The company works with its clients and investors to develop high-performing, deep green, all-electric, and healthy housing.

For more information about SVC please contact:
jennie@sunnysidevillagecohousing.com

For information about developing similar communities, contact:
developmentservices@greencanopynode.com

Together, we can build the future of housing - Our partnership with Grow Community was featured in the New York Times in the article Energy-Efficient Isn’t Enough, So Homes Go ‘Net Zero’ as a project incorporating all-electric, Net Zero Ready technology. Read more about our Bainbridge Island partnership here.

SEATTLE, Washington (May 6, 2021) - Green Canopy and Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County (Habitat) are pleased to announce a partnership to design a 17-unit affordable multifamily housing development in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. The 4-star Built Green project, located near Cal Anderson Park, features one- and two-bedroom units to be sold to households making at or below 80 percent area median income. The collaboration will bridge affordability and sustainability and fill a gap in the housing market for low-income individuals, couples, and smaller families.

Combining a land trust model with permanent affordability requirements, Habitat lowers barriers to homeownership. Habitat’s homeownership model creates opportunities for those who may not otherwise have access to owning a home and enables them to build equity and obtain security and stability. In Seattle, population growth, low inventory and market price appreciations have prevented first-time homebuyers from being able to afford to live within the urban center and create wealth through equity in ownership.

“We have identified a significant gap in the housing market for those who can’t afford to build equity in the city that they live and work in,” said Patrick Sullivan, Director of Real Estate Development at Habitat. “Typically, affordable housing options are located outside of city centers and further from jobs and other amenities. We are excited to offer these homes to hard-working and deserving people who would otherwise be priced out of the area.”

Through this partnership, Green Canopy and Habitat for Humanity serve as a model for aligning for-profit and nonprofit organizations to develop market-rate land, while accelerating access to affordable, sustainable homes.

“We believe the partnership between Habitat and Green Canopy will set a new standard for homebuilding,” said Brett D’Antonio, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County. “Through private non-profit partnerships we are able to deliver more affordable housing units than we could alone.”

Known for its innovative, highly energy efficient urban infill homes in Seattle and Portland, Green Canopy specializes in unparalleled cost control and project management without compromising on sustainability.

“It is oftentimes a trade-off between sustainable or affordable when it comes to housing,” said Sam Lai, Green Canopy’s cofounder. “We are passionate about unlocking the potential impact of combining our expertise in green building and cost control with Habitat’s expertise in offering homes at a price point that increases accessibility.”

Green Canopy’s stringent green building standards result in homes that are not only better for the environment, but also better for residents’ health. Homeowner’s indoor air quality is improved by using all-electric appliances, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) products and materials, and through systems like the Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), which bring fresh, filtered air into the homes. Furthermore, the end product simply costs less to operate on a monthly basis than a comparable code-built home.

“Providing all-electric, sustainable, and healthy homes at affordable price points provides a better alternative to the current paradigm of housing,” said Susan Fairchild, Director of Impact at Green Canopy. “Through partnership and collaboration, we believe we can democratize sustainable homes so in time, people at every income level can live in more sustainable and healthy homes.”

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About Green Canopy: Green Canopy is an award-winning urban infill developer and homebuilder specializing in high performing, deep green, all-electric healthy homes. Their mission is to build relationships, businesses, and homes that help regenerate communities and environments. The team at Green Canopy offers development and general contracting services to third party investors, developers, and investment property owners.

About Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County: Habitat SKC is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, renovating and preserving homes, advocating for fair and just housing policies, and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

For more information, please contact:
Susan Fairchild, Green Canopy Director of Impact and Investor Relations
susan@greencanopynode.com

Sam Lai, Green Canopy Cofounder
developmentservices@greencanopynode.com

SEATTLE, Washington (February 3, 2021) - Green Canopy and the Grow Community have announced their partnership to build the third and final phase of the Bainbridge Island development project.

Grow Community was established in 2012 with the goal of creating a sustainable, intergenerational community intended to support the health and longevity of its residents. The development, featuring 119 homes and a community center, is located minutes from the ferry dock in the town center of Bainbridge Island and is designed to be a Net Zero neighborhood with the ability to use solar panels to provide 100% of the energy needed to power each home.

Phase 3 of the Grow Community will bookend the project, with a focus on townhomes that reflect the rest of Grow’s intentional sustainable, healthy, and community-based lifestyle. Jonathan Davis, the architect and resident of Phase 1, will be returning to design the final phase of the Grow Community.

“People move here intentionally because they believe in the vision and the values of the community. It’s amazing to see the connections made here and it has been comforting for residents to know there are others around to support them as needed,” said Davis. “I am honored to finish out the design for the Grow Community. And I’m excited to be able to work with Green Canopy to do so.”

The collaboration from Green Canopy and the Grow Community signifies a dual commitment to building resilient and sustainable communities. Green Canopy is known for building deep green and Net Zero Energy homes ranging from single-family homes to multi-unit projects, and its proprietary project development platform allows for unparalleled cost control and project management.

“What is exciting about this project is the alignment of values – this project aligns with our mission. It’s humbling to be welcomed into the Grow community as a development partner with so much of the way already paved before us” said Sam Lai, Green Canopy’s co-founder.

The Grow Community is the first One Planet neighborhood in the United States. The One Planet framework guides the design of Net Zero Energy neighborhoods as places where people can reduce their overall carbon footprint while living healthier and reducing costs. The program focuses not just on environmental impacts, but also on economic and social sustainability.

“Founding partners John and Ed Ellis have been instrumental in the completion of this project,” said Grow resident and original development team member Marja Williams. “Without them, this community would have never been as successful as it is today.”

“I’m eager to see this project finished in a way that I can be proud of. Much of the work that we’ve done with the Grow Community was meant to inspire others, and I think we’ve been successful in that,” said Ed Ellis.

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About Green Canopy: Green Canopy is an award-winning urban infill developer and homebuilder specializing in high performing, deep green, all-electric healthy homes. Their mission is to build relationships, businesses, and homes that help regenerate communities and environments. The team at Green Canopy offers development and general contracting services to third party investors, developers, and investment property owners.

About Grow Community: Grow Community is an urban One Planet neighborhood on Bainbridge Island, just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. With beautifully designed solar-powered homes, shared community gardens and clean transportation options, Grow allows all generations to enjoy a high-quality and healthy lifestyle.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Fairchild, Green Canopy Director of Impact and Investor Relations