Brasada Ranch, a 1,800-acre luxury outdoor and golf community located in Central Oregon recently earned its second LEED gold rating. The development’s 17,000-square-foot Ranch House headquarters that houses guest suites, a restaurant and the community’s administrative offices has received a LEED gold certification.

The Ranch House was built with reclaimed wood from the nearby Ochoco lumber mill. Artifacts from the 75-year-old mill have been integrated into the Ranch House’s décor, along with lava rock and native material featured in the stonework.

Other environmental designs that helped the Ranch House earn its LEED gold rating include the roof that is made with durable 100 percent recycled materials and a unique permeable paver system in the parking area that allows for rain water to soak into the ground instead of running off the roof to other areas of the property.

The Ranch House, as well as all of Brasada Ranch’s core community buildings are heated and cooled by a high-tech, ground-source lake-loop system that is tied to the pond on the ranch’s private championship golf course. The system is 60 percent more efficient when compared with traditional systems for heating and cooling.

Last year, Brasada Ranch became the first newly constructed destination resort in the country to receive a gold rating when the Discovery Center, the 8,300-square-foot centerpiece structure of the community was LEED certified.

Gated golf communities are an important component of the Active Adult Retirement real estate market, which is currently one of the fastest growing real estate market segments, even in the current down market. For many boomers 55 and over, nothing says “active” like golf, and retiring to a community with an award winning golf course in your back yard (literally) is a dream come true proposition for retirement. Considering how many boomers are entering retirement every day, it’s easy to understand why the demand remains steady, while other new home markets are still struggling.

So, what exactly makes a gated golf community truly special? Most would argue that it starts with a top notch golf course. But that is not the only defining requirement. “Gated” implies several things, primarily the concepts of security, and exclusivity. Other factors include spacious, well designed homes, quality construction, and a wide range of desirable amenities to round out the picture. And of course, let’s not forget location. All of these factors are very important to look for in a quality gated golf community.