The 1,625-square-foot home was conceived as a serene, light-filled retreat within the city—modern in spirit yet deeply respectful of its traditional neighborhood context and the original home that it replaced. Re-use of the existing foundation helped reduce costs while also allowing for a wider footprint than current zoning regulations would otherwise allow, creating a connection between the new home and its predecessor. The design sought to balance the clients’ desire for a modern, open and light-filled home with a sense of local belonging in its neighborhood context.

The exterior expression and materiality pay homage to the Pacific Northwest’s timber craft and building vernacular, with a simple gabled form clad in locally harvested Port Orford cedar siding allowed to weather naturally with time. The front porch, while modern in form, allows for the traditional connection between the home and active pedestrian street. The landscape is composed of primarily native and low-maintenance plantings that further connects the home to its place through sunny natural gardens. The interior spaces are designed around a series of narrow perimeter skylights capturing the region’s shifting light and atmosphere, while allowing for privacy from closely spaced neighboring homes on either side. The bright, light-washed walls are contrasted by dark-stained wooden cabinetry, echoing the sense of craft and tactility of the exterior.

Architecture: Drew Shawver Architecture + Design
Construction: Treebird Construction
Landscape Architecture: Supernature

Photography
Kevin Scott.