The Campsite at Shield Ranch
​This SITES Gold-certified project is the new home for Camp El Ranchito, a scholarship-based overnight nature immersion camp. Situated within Shield Ranch—6,400-acre nationally designated historic district and protected ranchland that comprises 10% of the Barton Creek watershed—the campsite exemplifies innovation and environmental stewardship.

Completely off-grid, the campsite features the first public water system in Texas approved by TCEQ to rely exclusively on rainwater. The ecological sensitivity of the site guided a meticulous ground-truthing process, ensuring all elements protect the oak-juniper woodland, karst limestone geology, and natural overland water flow.
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Project features include a mile of trails, eleven screened sleeping shelters, and an open-air pavilion wrapped in natural cedar stays, accessible via a pedestrian bridge woven through the tree canopy. All structures are thoughtfully nestled within the mature oak-juniper woodland on the hillside, enhancing an immersive and respectful nature experience.

Location:  Bee Caves, Texas
Size:  14 Acres
Client:  Shield Ranch Foundation
Scope:  Ecological design and restoration,  SITES consultant
​Completion: 2022
Project team:  ​Andersson Wise, Ten Eyck Landscape Architecture, WGI, Architectural Engineers Collaborative, Hill & Wilkinson, Asterisk Design
Awards:  AN's 2023 Best of Design Award in Commercial-Hospitality; 2022 Austin Green Award; 2022 SITES Gold