Woody Guthrie Place

Project Overview

Woody Guthrie Place is a LEED Platinum–certified mixed-income apartment building located in Portland’s Lents neighborhood. The project draws inspiration from the site’s cultural history—where Woody Guthrie lived briefly in 1941 while writing songs for the Bonneville Power Administration—and translates that legacy into a contemporary residential setting.

The architecture references the form and materiality of a boxcar, expressed through layered textures and durable finishes. The landscape extends this narrative, creating shared outdoor spaces that support community life while reinforcing the project’s strong sense of place.

Design Intent

The design intent was to create outdoor environments that feel welcoming, expressive, and connected to both history and everyday use. Landscape spaces are organized to encourage gathering, rest, and play, while remaining accessible and visually integrated with adjacent indoor community areas. Particular emphasis was placed on creating meaningful experiences for residents of all ages within a compact urban site.

Landscape Strategy

Outdoor amenities include a patio adjacent to the community center, designed as an extension of shared interior space and supported by custom bench seating that offers places to pause, socialize, and observe daily activity. A dedicated nature play area provides young children with opportunities to explore and engage with simple, tactile elements inspired by natural features such as hollowed logs.

Stormwater is treated as a visible and experiential element within the landscape. Rainwater from the roof is directed into a shallow gathering pool before flowing into a natural rock basin, introducing movement, sound, and seasonal variation to the shared spaces. Together, these elements create a layered and engaging landscape that supports sustainability goals while enriching daily life for residents.

Collaborators

Carleton Hart Architecture, Humber Design Group, Walsh Construction

Recognition

LEED Platinum