Where Town Meets Country UO Design Studio

Community development and affordable housing design in Hood River, Oregon

As an Adjunct Professor in 2008, Alex Salazar led a team of 10 University of Oregon graduate students through a community design workshop process, delivering professional services to The City of Hood River and the Mid-Columbia Housing authority. Students created affordable housing proposals for a 5-acre site overlooking the Columbia River, locating apartments and townhomes on half the land while leaving the other half for a future public park. The course was structured with:

● Readings, lectures and discussions
● Site visits to affordable housing
● Group research projects
● In studio mock community workshop
● Community charrette in Hood River
● Midterm pin up critique of independent design work, with local Portland architects
● Final presentation to City of Hood River staff and stake holders
● Final Report and Public Document