Enso Village
Healdsburg, CA
A wellness-centered senior community rooted in Zen, Quaker values, and ecological design
Rooted in the principles of Zen Buddhism and Quakerism, Enso Village is a senior living community designed to foster mindfulness, connection, and environmental harmony. Spanning 16 acres in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, the project integrates architecture and landscape in service of whole-person wellness. Gates Studio’s landscape design plays a central role in cultivating indoor-outdoor experiences that support active and contemplative aging. A series of intention-specific courtyards, tea gardens, walking trails, and native plantings encourage both quiet reflection and vibrant community life. From the Zendo to memory care to shared meadows, every outdoor space is thoughtfully shaped to promote healing, engagement, and ecological stewardship.
The design was completed in 2021, and the facility opened its doors in October 2023.
Awards
2025 PCBC Gold Nugget Design Awards - Grand Award,
Best Age-Qualified Senior Living Community
2021 PCBC Gold Nugget Design Awards - Grand Award, Senior Housing
2021 North Bay Business Journal -
Excellence in Construction Award
Key Considerations
Ecological IntegrityEnso Village integrates sustainable strategies into the landscape, including biofiltration zones, native plantings, and habitat-supporting measures. These elements are restorative to the local ecosystem and promote long-term environmental health.
Mindful DesignGuided by Zen and Quaker values, the landscape favors simplicity, purpose, and natural movement. Winding paths, shaded alcoves, and framed views offer a balance of openness and quiet retreat, supporting both contemplation and connection.
The project team worked closely with the local community to create a landscape that reflects its unique needs and identity. Shared spaces encourage intergenerational connections and cultural exchange, while the use of local materials and native plants honors Northern California’s rich heritage.
Rooted in CommunityProject Details
An alfresco dining area frames the edges of the Zendo Courtyard, offering residents serene views of the meditative space.
Enso's community garden allows residents to grow produce to provide directly to the on-site restaurant, creating a more sustainable food system.
The Meadows, the campus' premier living location, is bifurcated by a seasonal creek that feeds into a bioretention basin.