White River Farm
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date: 2020 - present
Team: El Dorado Architects
Project Description:
White River Farm is a beloved multi-generational family property and former farmstead along the White River in Indianapolis. The original landscape was designed by Jens Jensen in the 1920s. The late 19th-century 400-acre working farm was slowly developed into a neighborhood for residents looking for country estates in a natural setting to escape the city. Working with the current owner, the property’s incredible history has been documented and a proposed landscape framework plan has been developed. The landscape plans includes a meadow, ravines, pond, farm and orchards. Additionally, the plan integrates the existing collection of barns and cottages for a new creative artists residency program. The planning process has focused on preserving the property's historic character and honoring the legacy of the landscape while enhancing the environmental stewardship of the property. Goals include enhanced adaptation for climate change, increased ecological health, and sensitive integration of new, contemporary social and cultural creative programming.