A Simple Guide to How Locus Communis Works (& how it differs from Land-Pool)

In the Beginning...

At PetitHaus, everything we do starts with one simple philosophy:

If you own land, it becomes easier to afford housing.

Once you have land, you can decide what to build, when to build, and how to build, whether in stages, with different materials, or at a pace that matches your income. This principle powers both Land-Pool (our co-ownership model) and Locus Communis (our model community housing initiative).

But while they share the same DNA, the scale, flexibility, and outcomes of the two models are very different.

Watch the video below for a detailed breakdown; it includes images and illustrations. The video makes more sense if you've actually gone through the Locus Communis presentation.

‍Explore more details, and even download the Locus Communis proposal (worth tens of millions) for free.

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Land-Pool: The Starting Point (Small-Scale Shared Ownership)

How it works:

• 4–6 people pool resources to jointly buy a single plot of land (say 500–1,000 sqm).
  
• Each co-owner gets a fractional share of that land, with the freedom to use their portion as they wish.
  
• This makes prime land, which would normally be out of reach, more affordable by spreading the cost.
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Key features:

• Best suited for small groups (friends, colleagues, family).
• Works within one plot.
• Flexibility for each owner to build incrementally, at their own pace, budget, and style.

Think of Land-Pool as a “first-level affordability hack,” a practical way to break into land ownership without the full financial burden.

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Locus Communis: The Bigger Vision (Community-Powered Living)

Where Land-Pool works for one plot and a handful of people, Locus Communis scales up the idea to an entire neighbourhood.

How it works:

• 30–50 families (depending on zoning and density rules of the area) come together to jointly acquire one acre of land (or more).
  
• The land is fully titled, planned, and designed collectively.
  
• Infrastructure (roads, drainage, utilities, waste, etc.) is installed upfront, using the “site-and-services” model.
  
• Then, individuals build their homes incrementally within the shared community framework.
  
  

Two Housing Options:

1. 1. Terraced (flats, duplexes, or townhouses in a row arrangement) Housing:
   
   • Each person owns a horizontal unit (like traditional row housing).
   • Flexibility to design and build at your own pace.
   • Each home may look different since owners can customize.

1. 2. Mixed Housing (apartments of 1–3 bedrooms):
   
   • Vertical stacking of units on the same land footprint.
   • Owners can buy into different stages: foundation, carcass, or finishing.
   • Costs are shared proportionally by unit size (a 2-bedroom costs more than a 1-bedroom).
   • Builds affordability by translating land value across multiple floors.

Unique Advantages:

• Scale: Spreads land and infrastructure costs across 30–50 families instead of just 4–6.
• Community: Shared courtyards, play areas, and amenities create vibrant, supportive neighborhoods.
• Flexibility: Terraces allow individuality; mixed housing requires uniformity but enables cheaper entry.
• Revenue potential: Communities can monetize shared spaces (e.g., renting sports grounds or halls).

Think of Locus Communis as the “next-level evolution” of building a planned, affordable, sustainable community together.

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How They’re Similar

• Both are rooted in shared ownership: spreading cost across multiple people.
• Both allow incremental building: start small, expand as finances improve.
• Both unlock access to prime land that would otherwise be unaffordable.
  
  

How They’re Different

Feature                      Land-Pool                   Locus Communis

Scale                          4–6 families                   30–50 families

Land Size                  1 plot                              1 acre (≈8 plots) or more
                                  (≈500–1,000 sqm)

Housing                    Individual terraced         Terraces & Mixed
Type                          builds                             Housing (planned layouts)

Flexibility                  Full freedom to              Terraces = flexible
                                  design & build                Mixed Housing = follow uniform design

Community              Minimal (limited              Shared amenities, courtyards,
Features                    to small compound)       gardens, sports/play areas

Cost                            Shared across                Spread wider, with
Distribution              4–6 people                     additional options for affordability

Outcome                   4-6 Individual                 A full-fledged model
                                  homes on a plot              neighbourhood

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Why Both Matter For Solving The Housing Crisis

In Lagos, where land prices skyrocket faster than incomes can grow, the old dream of buying a plot and building alone is increasingly unrealistic. ‍

• Land-Pool is for those who want a quick, low-barrier entry into land ownership
• Locus Communis is for larger groups ready to go further, not just to own land, but to build dignified, affordable homes within a thriving community.

Together, they form a pipeline for owning high-quality homes (on a budget) where:
- Individuals can start small with Land-Pool.
- Communities can scale up into a sustainable lifestyle with Locus Communis.

In summary: Both make land ownership possible. Both make homeownership sustainable.

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