Charles Durrett, a cohousing pioneer, coined the term in 1985, inspired by Danish "living communities." With Kathryn McCamant, he authored Creating Cohousing, one of 16 books, including One Life, Live It!. His firm, The Cohousing Company, designed over 55 cohousing communities, like Muir Commons, North America’s first.

A Cal Poly architecture graduate, he studied at the University of Copenhagen and Royal Academy. Durrett’s work, featured in Time and The New York Times, earned the UN’s World Habitat Award and NAHB’s Silver Achievement Award. A global lecturer, he met Iceland’s President, presenting his book.

He designs sustainable communities for families, seniors, children, and neurodivergent individuals, blending neurodiversity, affordable housing, and participatory design.