Posts Tagged ‘Affordable Housing’

Olympia Crest II

Olympia, Washington

This affordable housing project for the Thurston County Housing Authority included a special storm water spillway that moved through the walkway and between the parking and the buildings and finally terminating at a Rainwater Celebration Plaza.  This feature created a unique opportunity to incorporate native plantings for a naturalized landscape.  The Client was committed to this special feature which has gained praise and will be incorporated into their next project Littlerock Housing in Tumwater, WA.

Vista Court Senior Living Facility

Vancouver, Washington

Vista Court a Senior Housing project for the Vancouver Housing Authority was completed in the winter of 2011.  The entire project encircles a very old London Plane tree while allowing the residents to walk to the surrounding neighborhood and take pause at the many benches placed for viewing the new landscaped grounds.  Van Vista an existing high rise senior apartment tower is directly adjacent to the new Vista Court building.

Nuevo Amanecer

Woodburn, Oregon


Humboldt Gardens

Portland, Oregon


Humboldt Gardens was a Hope VI, affordable housing project for the Housing Authority of Portland, which included a mixed use building that achieved LEED Silver certification from the USGBC.

As Landscape Architect we collaborated with the Civil Engineer to develop an award winning approach to a Green Street treatment for stormwater.  The plantings for the Green Street used water tolerant plants and swale seed mix in the swales  with more residential plant selections by the walkways leading into the units. The combination of the lawn and swale grass  panels as they move through the front yard and shrub beds allows easy maintenance by mowing both.

The project’s sustainable design elements including permeable paving, soft stormwater swales, a green street, a community pocket park and garden seating courtyards.  The landscaping approach throughout the project was child tough, low maintenance and complementary to a residential neighborhood.

Humboldt Gardens was recognized by the 2009 City of Portland BEST Awards as the winner of the Green Building for New construction/Major renovation.

The Mews

Vancouver, Washington


For this 24-unit affordable-housing project, we designed an exterior courtyard and gardens that are typical for high-end developments.  Decorative walls and a central water feature are in the spotlight of the residents’ views, and the layout invites for a leisurely walk through the site.