Track Record

Projects we've launched

Principals of Openworld Villages have had founding roles in –

White Lotus Eco Spa Retreat

Located on a 21 acre site in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains, this project features innovative residential quarters, meeting spaces, meditation/wellness areas, outdoor spa and recreation areas, and organic farming/agritourism attractions.  Explore the White Lotus gallery and video here.

The Quarries EcoVillage

This 350 acre development in Schuyler, Virginia, includes scenic forest trails and ponds formed in a former soapstone quarry. Explore the photo gallery of The Quarries EcoVillage here.

projects we've helped

Principals of Openworld Villages have also helped in planning:

United States

Ecovillage Charlottesville  (Charlottesville, Virginia).  A new urban intentional community is forming on a wooded 6.5 acre site in Albemarle County, with site master planning and affordable eco-dwelling architectural design by Openworld Villages Vice President Fred Oesch. 

The Van Clief Nature Area (Scottsville, Virginia).  The Town of Scottsville has engaged Fred Oesch to develop a master plan for improvements to a nature area to attract visitors and help in revitalizing retail and residential neighborhoods.

Grandin Gardens (Roanoke, Virginia). A multi-use facility promoting urban sustainability, welcoming neighbors, and sound environmental practices. Openworld Villages Vice President Fred Oesch also has provided master site planning and architectural design for a new branch of the project, a rural intentional community in Bedford, Virginia, including a Community Center and eco-dwellings. 

Acorn Community (Mineral, Virginia). Openworld Villages Vice President Fred Oesch has provided master planning and architectural design of new 5,000 square foot multi-use commercial and residential facility supporting an organic seed industry. The Acorn Community is egalitarian, consensus-based intentional community based on a culture of positive communication, compassion, consent, and sustainability, in a setting free of hierarchy and coercion. 

abroad

Surfsong Cottages by the Sea (Delices, Dominica). Located on Dominica's Southeastern Atlantic seashore, the Surfsong resort was a premier eco-destination in the Caribbean for health retreats, weddings, or special events. Lodging cottages, a common kitchen cottage, seaside dining pavilion, oceanfront swimming pool, and tropical courtyards made Surfsong a preferred site for health retreats, weddings, or special events. Architectural design, construction management, and onsite property management systems were prepared by Openworld Villages Vice President Fred Oesch.

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

Principals of Openworld Villages also have published widely on opportunities to revitalize struggling areas by improving business climates for investors and entrepreneurs, and applying learning innovations that make it possible for students and jobseekers to succeed.  Check our Resources section for more on articles and other publications relating to sustainable communities – and the policies, strategies, and practices to help them grow.