Where: Willsonville, Oregon

When: 2017-2021

Role: Architectural Designer (as part of PSU’s Center for Public Interest Design)

Partners: Clackamas County, Catholic

Charities, Communitecture, City Repair, the Village

Coalition, Lease Crutcher Lewis, Portland State

University School of Architecture, the Center for Public

Interest Design, partners in the City of Portland and

Multnomah County.

Photos/Graphic Credit: Portland State University

The Clackamas County Veterans Village is a transitional shelter community for veterans providing 30 sleeping pods. The village is the result of a collaboration between Clackamas County, Catholic Charities, Communitecture, City Repair, the Village Coalition, Lease Crutcher Lewis, Portland State University School of Architecture, the Center for Public Interest Design, partners in the City of Portland and Multnomah County, and others.

In partnership with Communitecture, I supported the site plan design for the village, arranging sleeping pods into clusters to enhance a sense of community and limit the alienation generated by rigid grids. Shared facilities include a large kitchen, bathrooms and showers, laundry, a TV lounge and meeting space where veterans can talk with their caseworkers and other service providers. In October 2018, the veterans moved into their new community and began receiving individualized services, including skills-based training. I have continued to work with the Clackamas County Veterans Village on place-making efforts, occupancy evaluation, and the addition of new pods.