Manny Berholz's Walden of Aurora
Walden includes Walden Golf and Tennis Courts, Inn Walden, Spa Walden, Club Walden
A few years back I watched an interview of Mikhail Kalashnikov on the History Channel. Mikhail Kalashnikov is the designer of the famous (and also the infamous since it is also used by terrorists) AK-47 (stands for Automatic Kalashnikov 1947) rifle also known as the Kalashnikov. The main advantages of the Kalashnikov rifle are its simple design, compact size, ease of maintenance, reliability and ruggedness. I recall Mikhail Kalashnikov saying in this interview “Whatever is simple, is useful“.
When I learned from Robert Rosencrans, Managing Partner of Inn Walden that the design philosophy of Manny Berholz, the maverick behind Walden is, Simplify…….Simplify……..Simplify, my thoughts connected to the interview with one of the famous Russian designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov.
Walden of Aurora, Ohio
When I drove into the Walden planned community the first time, I was immediately impressed with its beauty and uniqueness. Walden is nothing like a typical tract developments that have become so common during the past few decades. Walden of Aurora is magnificent. I have not seen a better planned community than Walden of Aurora. If you are an architect or an engineer, I highly recommend that you drive through this planned community. Walden is the optimum blend of functionality and beauty.
Walden homes are situated in the landscape in a way that allows the best natural views and maximum privacy as well. Our homes are efficient, functional spaces that are environmentally sound as well as architecturally beautiful. Our designs are spacious and open, and we’ve included large windows that allow in lots of light as well as dramatic, scenic views of the Walden landscape. Using building materials from the region, we’ve made our communities contextually appropriate, too. Source: Walden
Walden is modeled after the planned community of Reston, Virginia. One of the major characteristics that makes it unique is that its housing units are expandable. This means that there is no lot line boundary as in a fee simple lot. One draws the boundary after you build the home. Read more about Walden philosophy here.
According to Gabe Lefebvre, President of Walden Association, Walden encompasses 525 acres and consists of 530 condominiums, 15 condiminium associations and 88 single family homes. This development has public and private streets. Prices for homes range from 250k to 1 million dollars. Utilities are located underground. Gabe Lefebvre said what he likes the most about living in Walden is the degree of control one has over one’s activities; one could do anything or nothing and be equally pleased about living in Walden.
I am a Civil Engineer from Louisiana State University. The compound word, Americaneer, is a combination of the words, American and Engineer.
Interesting analogy between an AK and Walden. One is peaceful and one is …not! lol. The community sounds beautiful.
You are right Carole, the Walden development is beautiful. I think what Walden and AK-47 share is the simplicity in design. Simplicity is also one of the ten principles of Google and its quoted below:
I appreciate your optimism about Cleveland, we need this. Thank you.
Walden is one of the best communities here in Greater Cleveland. It’s one of the best kept secrets, too. Inspiring is the philosophy of simplicity, elegance, peaceful co-existence of beautiful nature and sophisticated lifestyle. I can talk and talk about Walden and Walden Farms. I’m also very proud to participate in marketing of one of the last buildable lots in Walden Farms.
Very glad that you wrote about this wonderful place!