Casa Zimbabwe

While every other BSC house was a preexisting structure eventually converted into a co-op, in 1966 the Ridge Project, now Casa Zimbabwe, was built with the intent of a housing a living space, BSC office and the badly needed large kitchen and warehouse. A University Student Cooperative Association (now BSC) fund raising pamphlet stated that: The one abiding principle in the whole architectural design of Ridge Project has been to build a unit reflecting individuality and freedom, the antithesis of many dormitories. The disadvantages of other dorms, uniformity, regimentation of activities and general impersonality of buildings, have been avoided. The Ridge Project actively promotes diversity, freedom and variety of activities, and a small-scale residential environment. In the early spring of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic CZ instituted a self quarantine and no visitors policy. There were approximately 50 members living in the house during that period. ==Members==

The residents and boarders of CZ are the members of the cooperative, with fee of approximately $7,700 for 2020 academic school year, covering full room and board. Like in other houses each member is required to provide a five-hour work shift. Council meetings are held every week, members gather to discuss house business with decisions made through majority votes. Members of CZ often refer to themselves as "Czars." ==Design and construction==

While other BSC houses were preexisting structures, like apartment buildings and hotels, Casa Zimbabwe is unique in that it was built with intent of being used as a cooperative living space. A court yard lays in between Ridge house, administrative section and the east and west wings. Both of the wings' roofs are also common spaces. Forty solar panels were added to them in 1979 to supply hot water. CZ was temporary closed for seismic retrofitting in the spring of 2007. An elevator was also installed to make the building more wheelchair accessible. File:Casa Zimbabwe front 2010-04 1.JPG File:Casa Zimbabwe wing & Central Kitchen.JPG File:Casa Zimbabwe from North Gate 2005-03.JPG File:Casa Zimbabwe & Ridge House front 1.JPG File:Casa Zimbabwe common space.jpg|Common space 2011 File:Casa Zimbabwe sectional diagram.jpg|Sectional diagram File:Casa Zimbabwe schematic roof plan.jpg|Schematic roof plan ==Notes==