THE AVA
Living In Natural Rhythm
The Ava is an affordable housing community in Eugene, Oregon developed by Community Development Partners. Located within a landscape shaped by river corridors, tree canopy, and migratory bird routes, the project presented a meaningful opportunity to explore how the rhythms of the natural world can influence the rhythms of everyday life.
We helped define the community’s placemaking strategy, establishing a narrative that positions nature not simply as scenery, but as a grounding presence that supports connection, belonging, and wellbeing. From there, we translated that thinking into a visual identity system designed to live comfortably across environmental graphics, communications, and the evolving life of the property.
The result is a brand that reflects the calm, cyclical qualities of the natural world while reinforcing the idea that community, like nature, flourishes through shared rhythms and connection.
STRATEGY & CREATIVE DIRECTION
Our work began with a placemaking strategy designed to guide how the community would take shape over time. We developed a set of essential beliefs centered on the idea that stronger connections to the natural world can support healthier rhythms of life and more meaningful connections between neighbors.
These principles has established a shared framework for the project team, helping guide ongoing decisions across architecture, landscape, and the evolving character of the community.
Alongside this strategic foundation, we defined the creative direction for the place itself — establishing a soft, nature-forward aesthetic that balances durability, warmth, and restraint. The resulting visual identity extends these ideas through a flexible system of marks, patterns, and motifs designed to move comfortably between the physical environment and the community’s communications.
Positioning & brand foundation
Placemaking strategy
Visual identity system
Creative direction
Brand standards
Our Role
Below is a selection of pages from the brand standards created for The Ava, demonstrating the visual system and guiding principles behind the identity.
ELEVATING THE CORE IDEA
The Ava tagline reflects the belief that connection to the natural world helps establish the rhythms that allow people and communities to thrive. Inspired by the natural history of the site and the surrounding landscape, the idea recognizes that when life moves in closer alignment with nature, connection to each other follows naturally.
IN THEIR WORDS
"When CDP acquired The Ava, it was a fully entitled, permitted and designed development. Our team lacked the "why" behind the prior design decisions and the institutional knowledge a developer gains by working through these key milestones.
Tuo went above and beyond, collaborating with the design team and interviewing key community stakeholders to unearth the story so far, and providing CDP with a backdrop to help inform creative decision-making.
For a development that CDP adopted in a later phase, we truly feel like we were there from day one, and thanks to Tuo, our team is fully equipped to help nurture The Ava into meeting the needs of the community."
Thomas Eldridge, Senior Development Manager, Community Development Partners
