The Cohousing Summit: Seattle is a one-day gathering for anyone drawn to deeper connection – whether you live in community, are working to create one, or are simply curious about new models of living well together. The summit explores how cohousing and other community-rooted housing approaches can strengthen belonging, expand housing options, and support people across all stages of life.

With interactive breakout sessions, thoughtful conversations, and plenty of time to connect, the day is designed to offer both practical learning and a strong sense of community. The summit is co-chaired by Grace Kim—renowned architect, TED speaker, and co-founder of Schemata Workshop—and Mike Mariano, co-owner of Schemata Workshop. Grace and Mike are also founding members of Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing, a mulitgenerational community in the heart of Seattle. The event will also feature optional tours of Seattle-area communities before and after the summit.

What to Expect:

Practical skills and inspiration for everyone on the community journey—from dreamers and community builders to long-time communitarians and established communities.

• Sessions designed for both forming and existing communities
• Expert panels exploring cohousing, pocket neighborhoods, co-ops, and more
• 12 breakout sessions with actionable tools and real-world insights
• Meaningful connection with community builders, professionals, and curious newcomers
• Optional local community tours on May 14, 15, and 17

Standard Registration Rates:

General Registration: $175
CohoUS Member Rate*: $130
Student Rate (for actively enrolled students): $75
* Make sure you’re logged in to access the member rate. Not a member yet? Join CohoUS to save even more

Schedule At-A-Glance:

9:00am – 10:00am: Registration + Connections
10:00am – 11:30am: Plenary Programming
11:30am – 12:45pm: Lunch Break
1:00 – 4:30pm: Breakouts
4:30 – 6:00pm: Closing Reception
6:00pm: Optional Dine Arounds 

Program Highlights:

Detailed schedule will be released in April.

We are bringing together residents, professionals, and emerging community builders from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond for a day of learning, connection, and real-world insight. Designed for dreamers, forming groups, long-time communitarians, and professionals, the program weaves together inspiration and practical tools across the full lifecycle of community-rooted housing.

The day opens with a plenary conversation moderated by KUOW’s Joshua McNichols, featuring leaders behind some of Seattle’s most compelling models: Chad Dale of Shared Roof, a mixed-use, family-oriented collaborative housing community in Phinney Ridge; Senait Brown of House of Mkeka, an intergenerational, Black-led pocket neighborhood rooted in culture, autonomy, and collective care; and Grace Kim of Schemata Workshop and Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing (CHUC), a nationally recognized example of urban cohousing designed to foster daily connection. Together, they’ll ground the day in real-world perspectives on how community takes shape across different models.

From there, the program explores what it takes to create and sustain these communities. You’ll hear from leading architects, developers, and community leaders on designing for connection and navigating the development process, alongside forming groups actively bringing new communities to life. Sessions also highlight pathways to affordability through models like community land trusts, cooperatives, and co-buying, while residents share what daily life in community really looks like, from shared meals to mutual support.

We’ll also dive into the human side of community building, with conversations on group process, decision making, and working through challenges, as well as how communities effectively tell their story and attract new members. Throughout the day, you’ll encounter innovative approaches expanding the field, including pocket neighborhoods and other emerging models that are reshaping how we live together.