In 2009 Horseshoe Farm launched its first enhanced independent living housing program for women, recognizing the importance of housing to their mission of improving the quality of life of vulnerable adults in the community. In 2017 Horseshoe Farm launched a second home and has since provided stable, supportive, and compassionate housing to more than forty women. Rural Studio and Project Horseshoe Farm partnered to develop additional, much-needed enhanced independent living housing for adults in the community. The project, completed in 2020, addresses the need for both independent living and communal spaces for local, vulnerable women.
As a two-phase project, the team designed a master plan for five living units and an indoor community space. The team completed phase one which included three independent living units and a covered outdoor communal space shared by both homes on the site. Phase two will be re-addressed by a second student team within the next three to five years.
The design provides a physical environment to address mental, physical,emotional wellness and social wellness. It does this by creating space that is manageable, bright, private, surrounded by nature, and easily personalized. The home provides a flexible lifestyle for the women, allowing them to choose how much daily interaction they want. The living units encourage growth of independence with the full inclusion of a kitchen, dining area, bathroom, sleeping area, ample storage, entrance nook, and a private back porch.
Horseshoe Farm believes that by integrating such housing with other support such as transportation, companionship, and help navigating the often complex healthcare and social services systems, they can provide a humane and cost effective model to help support the growing numbers of adults seeking these wraparound services to maintain their independence and quality of life.
