Ironhorse Lodge is a low-income housing development for seniors located in the high desert of Central Oregon.

Challenge: Work with developers to integrate water harvesting, food production and habitat enhancement into a more conventional layout of buildings, parking lots and pathways.

Solution: Move parking and place gardens in the best sun locations, accentuate solar microclimate South of the buildings for plantings and social space, create water harvesting landscape and rainwater collection cisterns to meet irrigation needs, and create gathering areas throughout the site for residents to socialize. Plan alternative water treatment facility that feeds small nursery enterprise for residents.

Lead designer: Andrew Millison.

High Desert Low-income Housing Development #2

Central Oregon USA