Community Forge
Freedom Village is a safe, inclusive, and resilient community for people who have been marginalized. Our work centers on a 36-acre cooperative village in Saguache County, Colorado, designed to host up to 50 residents in tiny homes and RVs. Units will be offered at $500 per month with all utilities included. The site will include critical infrastructure such as water, sanitation, power, and internet access, along with shared gathering and support areas.
Together with our partner, Unity Harbour, we're building an off-grid sanctuary for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and displaced families—a place where everyone can live free from fear and systemic exclusion. As Community Forge, we have a designated 5-acre parcel within the village. We are managing the development and intake for our space with full autonomy, ensuring our designs and processes align with the community's shared values of inclusivity and trauma-informed care.
Watch our video walk-through of the property to see the land and our vision for the community.
Are you looking for a safe and supportive place to call home? We are now accepting applications for people interested in joining our vibrant community.
We're seeking individuals and families who share our vision of creating a cooperative and equitable sanctuary. If you're ready to be a part of this unique project, you can learn more and apply to join Community Forge. We're excited to hear from you and build the future together.
Apply to JoinFreedom Village is powered by the generosity of people like you. We've secured the land, but we need your help to build the infrastructure that will make this community a reality.
Your donation goes directly toward essential projects, including installing wells, septic systems, and roads, building accessible housing and emergency shelters, and sustaining our work with care, transparency, and love.
Donate to Freedom VillageEven if you can't join or donate to Freedom Village, you can still support our broader mission:
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We're not just designing a tiny home—we're designing the future of community living. We're launching a contest to find visionary plans for an underground, mixed-use community on our 5-acre parcel.
Inspired by Begich Towers, Whittier, AK, where a single building houses most of the town's essential services, we're seeking designs for a connected underground village. Your design should feature interconnected tiny homes and communal spaces with elements like atriums and underground greenery. The goal is to create a practical, self-contained sanctuary that can house as many people as possible while fostering a close-knit community.
This is your chance to help us shape the future of our community. The contest is open to everyone, regardless of age, background, or skill level. This includes architects, designers, students, hobbyists, and even those who design with tools like The Sims.
All prize stays are subject to the winner(s) adhering to all community rules and agreements.
This program outlines the spatial and functional requirements for a self-sufficient, underground mixed-use community inspired by Begich Towers, Coober Pedy, Australia, Earthship Biotecture, and Montreal's RESO. The total project area is 5 acres (approximately 217,800 square feet).
The hub is a multi-layered structure designed to maximize density, light, and community interaction. The total gross floor area (GFA) for all program elements is approximately 217,800 sqft.
| Program Element | Description | Approx. Total Square Footage | % of Total Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Units | A mix of studio, 1-bedroom, and family units (2-3 bedrooms) designed for dense, livable layouts.
|
130,680 - 152,460 sqft | 60-70% |
| Vertical Farming & Food Production | Integrated hydroponic/aquaponic systems and communal gardens, distributed across floors to ensure fresh food access. Space should also be allocated for animal husbandry.
|
21,780 - 32,670 sqft | 10-15% |
| Retail & Public Services | Clustered for walkability and community interaction. These zones should be no more than a 5-minute walk from any housing unit.
|
32,670 - 43,560 sqft | 15-20% |
| Circulation & Communal Corridors | Wide corridors that double as social spaces, meeting ADA compliance and encouraging interaction.
|
21,780 sqft | 10% |
| Snowmelt Infrastructure | Surfaces and storage for capturing and managing melted snow.
|
5-10% of area | 5-10% |
The design should prioritize functional and social adjacencies to create a cohesive and efficient community.
Contestants are encouraged to integrate Earthship-inspired, off-grid systems. The goal is to achieve year-round comfort (70°F) with minimal environmental impact.
Snow as a Water Source: Breckenridge, CO, and Utah's snow farming initiatives prove the viability of snow storage for summer use. The design must account for long-term storage to cover seasonal gaps.
The Challenge: Colorado's water law is based on "prior appropriation," making it legally complex to collect and store large quantities of water.
Bonus Challenges: Submissions acknowledge this legal hurdle and propose a conceptual strategy for navigating it. This could include demonstrating no harm to senior water rights holders or proposing a plan for augmentation.
Low-Tech: Simple systems like snow fences are cost-effective (often recycled materials).
High-Tech: Cisterns with filtration systems will be a significant cost (~$10K–$20K for 10,000-gallon systems). The design should consider how these costs can be offset by alternative funding models.
Climate Adaptation: Consider snow-resistant goat breeds like Nigerian Dwarf and a plan for supplemental light (UV lamps) for chickens during winter to ensure health and productivity.
Contestants should research these examples to understand the project's vision:
Let's build a hub where snow becomes survival—and goats become neighbors!
Every act of generosity, big or small, creates a ripple effect of change. Don't wait—take action today. Volunteer your time or make a donation to help us build a better tomorrow.