Welcome to 5/25 Alva Street, a modern three-bedroom home within Dunedin's award-winning Toiora Cohousing development.
Designed by Architype, Toiora received a 2023 Southern Architecture Award in the multi-unit housing category. The judges highlighted the thoughtful layout and design, along with the development's approach to environmentally conscious, community-focused living.
Toiora consists of 24 homes on approximately 5,000m² (+/-) of land at the former High Street School site. Developed by the residents themselves, the community has been thoughtfully designed with a focus on energy efficiency, shared facilities and connected neighbourhood living.
One of the unique aspects of this property is its ownership structure. Held on a unit title, the property provides the privacy and independence of your own home, along with shared ownership of the communal areas. All the additional facilities are there for residents to enjoy, rather than being spaces they need to share within their own homes.
Inside, the home has a modern open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, with easy access to the outdoor deck and raised garden beds. The kitchen provides plenty of storage, and there are three bedrooms with two of them having two built in wardrobes each.
There is also a modern bathroom, a separate toilet, a second toilet downstairs and a cleverly tucked-away laundry. Storage is well covered, with additional space under the stairs and a large attic space for all the extras.
One of the home's biggest advantages is its energy-efficient Passive House design, making it exceptionally comfortable throughout the year. The construction combines triple glazing, high levels of insulation and an airtight building envelope to minimise heat loss. Each home also has its own mechanical heat-recovery ventilation system, which brings in fresh, filtered air while recovering warmth from the outgoing air. Together, these features help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with very little additional heating required, a real advantage during Dunedin's colder months.
Outside, the homes are arranged around a sheltered central green space. Residents have access to generous shared lawns, vegetable gardens and fantastic children's play areas, rather than each property being limited to its own small section.
The common house provides additional space for shared meals, gatherings and activities, with a communal kitchen, dining and living spaces, meeting space and an office. There is also a workshop and shared guest accommodation with bathroom facilities for visiting family and friends.
Other facilities include a communal laundry, sauna and bicycle storage, along with electric vehicle charging facilities within the development. These shared amenities provide additional convenience and facilities beyond what you would ordinarily have in your own home.
Another important part of life at Toiora is the sense of community. Residents are involved in shared decision-making and contribute to the running of the neighbourhood, with shared meals and regular activities providing opportunities to connect. It's a great balance of community involvement while still enjoying the privacy and independence of your own home.
For buyers looking for an energy-efficient three-bedroom home with access to extensive shared facilities and an established community, 5/25 Alva Street offers something quite different from a conventional townhouse.
Get in touch to arrange a viewing and have a look at both the home and the wider development.
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