Sequoia Mental Health Services & Spruce Place Apartments

Centralizing mental health care in Washington County

The Sequoia Mental Health Services and Spruce Place Apartments provides wrap-around care in a central location. Spruce Place is a subsidized affordable housing facility for people in need of supportive mental health care. It has 15 apartment homes and a community connectivity center. Sequoia Mental Health Services is the clinical and administrative services center for its non-profit namesake, offering spaces for each function this organization serves in Washington County. While the residential and clinical and office portions are separate facilities, they share common site amenities, including a shared entry courtyard, landscaping, open space, site access, and parking.

Client
Sequoia Mental Health Services

Location
Beaverton, OR

Size
14,500 sf

Year
2011

Entry gravel garden area with reused wood benches and landscaping

Sequoia Mental Health Services believes that people with mental health care needs deserve accessible services that support living meaningfully and independently in the community. The non-profit provides transitional housing that is rooted in compassion and respect for its residents and focuses on supporting each individual’s unique needs.

site plan of site showing supportive housing, treatment, and plaza — Make it stand out

The development combines a mental health clinic, administrative offices, and apartment homes into one location, offering multiple aspects of needed care in one place.

Visitors enter the office and clinic through a landscaped courtyard plaza. The plaza has seating and lush greenery, offering nature as a calming transition space into the building. The lobby is inviting and features warm woods, natural tones and textures, and ample daylight. This facility has flexible spaces that can be used for community and group events, dedicated conference rooms, and staff-only administration and break rooms.

Waiting area with bent wooden chairs and two story feature wood wall

Exterior win windows with sunshades at an angle — Architectural features like geometric window shades on the exterior add personality.

Spruce Place Apartments has 15 apartment homes designed with care and consideration for residents. The building uses clean lines and a calming palette to create a comforting space to come home to.

Runnel carries water from building to landscaping on site

While not specifically pursuing LEED certification, sustainable features such as on-site stormwater retention, rain gardens, drought-tolerant plantings, high-efficiency VRV mechanical systems, high-performance thermally broken windows, energy star rated appliances, and low VOC materials, were included as part of the design.