El Dorado’s design for Parrott Creek Child and Family Services in Oregon is a finalist in the 8th annual GRAY Awards, in the On the Boards breakout category. The project aims to enhance residential treatment for highly traumatized youth by creating modern, trauma-informed buildings that double the facility’s capacity to care for up to 40 youth.
The expansion, funded by private and public sources, addresses the pressing need for such services in Oregon. By working with local and national experts, Parrott Creek seeks to redefine the care provided to system-involved youth, emphasizing diversity and inclusivity.
The project integrates a trauma-informed design approach, using the setting to create a connection with nature. This approach is designed to create a culturally inclusive environment, including a “Land Back” initiative for Indigenous communities.
Collaborative efforts with organizations like Your Street Your Voice, University of Oregon, and Harvard Graduate School of Design demonstrate a commitment to equity-centered design principles. The design team, led by David Dowell, Daniel Renner, and Sophie Hong, among others, has worked to create a space that honors the Indigenous peoples’ ancestral lands.
They have brought together a range of collaborators, including Walsh Construction, Adre, Agency Setting & Planning, and Fowler Interior Design. The design team has also worked with experts in lighting, structural engineering, and environmental graphics to create an inclusive design.
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El Dorado, the architecture firm behind the design, is an integrated practice based in Kansas City, MO, and Portland, OR. It has a reputation for combining frugality and pragmatism with a commitment to community-driven design, and has expanded widely to work on projects nationwide and overseas.
The project’s focus on trauma-informed design and cultural inclusivity reflects a growing recognition of the need for more sensitive and supportive approaches to youth treatment. By creating a space that prioritizes healing and connection, Parrott Creek Child and Family Services aims to provide a model for other treatment facilities to follow.
As the project moves forward, it is likely to have a significant impact on the lives of the youth it serves. The use of natural light, open spaces, and culturally sensitive design elements is intended to create a sense of calm and well-being, and to support the recovery and growth of the young people who will be using the facility.
El Dorado’s design has been recognized for its innovative approach to creating a supportive environment for youth. The project’s success will depend on its ability to provide a sense of calm and well-being for its residents.
It is a significant step forward in the field of youth treatment.
