Southwest Mid-Century

While our clients were immediately captivated by the wooded, double-lot midcentury that sprawled over nearly an acre in SW Portland, the structure itself needed a lot of cosmetic work before it could feel like home. THESIS was brought in and a lengthy, top-to-bottom planning phase ensued, focusing intently on every aspect of the home’s interior and exterior. The clients, who were highly engaged and curious about the process of renovation planning and execution, asked THESIS to carefully design the home with particular focus on not just aesthetic, but livability, long term maintenance, and durability. As such, a pallette of finishes emerged that was at once elegant and extremely durable – from large format porcelain terrazzo tile to specific sheens of paint, every surface was designed to live with and weather its environment. In addition, thermal and acoustic comfort were highly important to the clients, who practice hobbies such as metal and leather work; both requiring specific design considerations for light, ventilation and noise. On the exterior of the home, the design rectified one of the most regretted aspects of the original construction – a lack of proper connection with the beautiful native landscape. In the place of an existing bay window, a new pair of French doors was installed to address a large new patio overlooking the wooded hillside, covered by a 4-season aluminum and acrylic roof and shielded from the street by a sculptural concrete wall. The wall was designed with dual purpose – marking and signaling the main entrance to the home as well as creating a delineation between front and back/ public and private that previously was missing.

photos: 22 pages
construction: taylor smith

Location

portland, or

Size

1,863 square feet

Scope

remodel

Project Inspiration

warm
colorful
mid-century ranch