The attached 600 sqft two story ADU replaces a preexisting garage. Stylistically the ADU integrates seamlessly into the 1920 English Tudor home.

High quality finishes and attention to details made this project a real success. Finishes included are; fir windows and trim, fir doors, solid brass hardware, oak floors and staircase, wrought iron baluster, polished concrete floors, built-in book case, tiled bathroom and kitchen.

This ADU also utilizes green building materials and energy efficient systems which include:

FSC certified framing lumber

Formaldehyde free plywood

Double air barrier

High efficiency mini-split heat pump for heating and cooling

On-demand water heater

Energy Recovery Ventilator for fresh interior air

Energy star rated appliances

The 1,400 square foot basement build out included; interior parking, a large bedroom with double closets, bathroom with laundry, food storage area with a built-in wine wall and an etching studio for the resident artist.

Many years ago the crawl space had been partially excavated thereby creating a dangerous situation in which the foundation was undermined and in danger of collapse. This created a precarious condition in which the new retaining wall had to be built in multiple phases to ensure the existing foundation remained undisturbed.  The infamous "dirt room" was excavated and structurally reinforced through large retaining walls. The additional space created became the etching studio.

This house was entirely rebuilt. The foundation had dramatically settled and the existing floor plan underutilized a significant portion of the house.  

A geotechnical engineer was brought on board. The back of the house was lifted and the foundation was reinforced with grouted tie backs and small diameter piles driven into the bedrock.      

The floor plan was re-conceived.  The basement was built out and the house was converted from a one bedroom and one half bathroom house to a three bedroom two bathrooms house. 

Design

The Maywood residence, "Twin Firs," is located in the northwest hills and is poised between the road and the hillside. The floor plan, living spaces, windows, and light were designed to take advantage of the forested view and ambience while mitigating the proximity of the road. The house includes:

Gourmet kitchen 

Vaulted dining/living room space with large skylights

Walk-in closet and direct deck access from master bedroom

On-demand water heater

Walk-in shower

Custom built-ins and cabinetry

Natural bamboo strand floors

Large deck

Two car garage

This ADU located on a residential street off of Hawthorne Ave offers its inhabitants a dignified place to live close to a wide array of amenities.

The two bedroom ADU was designed and built to bringing in light and fresh air while mitigating moisture and sound intrusion. Windows were cut into the foundation with egress wells for light. An Energy Recovery Ventilation unit was installed for fresh air. A vapor barrier, rigid insulation, air barrier assembly for the walls coupled with an under slab drainage and sump pump worked to mitigate water. A double layer ceiling hung from iso clips and decoupled from walls helped to cut down on sound transmission.

These considerations and systems were essential in making this basement ADU a great place to habitat and enjoy.

Often, old Portland homes exceed in their craftsmanship but lack in structural integrity.  This hundred year old house’s porch had disintegrated and sagged. It lacked a proper foundation, posts and structural connections.   In order to correct the settling, we removed the porch and lifted the corners of the house and leveled the dormer.  The architectural details where preserved and improved upon.

The Norwegian sauna was commissioned by a couple living in Portland to help alleviate the Pacific Northwest's cold, dark, long winters.  It is a place to sweat and reinvigorate. 

A private outdoor shower and changing area is tucked between the house and sauna.  The sauna's inside includes of two levels of cedar benches, a bucket, a ladle and Finlandia heating element. 

Design

The sauna is an integral part of a small back yard. The subtle structure is tucked behind bamboo and is diffused with an open rain screen exterior.  The green roof blends in with the garden elements of the backyard and increases botanical diversity.  

This project blends various architectural elements to create a great outdoor space. It consists of a FSC cedar deck with built-in benches, table, shelving, BBQ and food preparation area. 

Design

A translucent polycarbonate roof structure shelters the outdoor living area and provides a light and airy living space.  The area functions as a fair weather extension of the house to eat dinner and relax. 

This is a quintessential place to dry and store wood to heat the house. Large sliding barn doors provide ample access. Screened siding allows air movement for thoroughly drying wood. Doors on either end of the shed provide separate access to gardening tools and a place to sit.

The green roof provides habitat for a summers growth of Black Eyed Susans and an autumn blanket of succulents. The roof also provides an ideal location for the apiarist's bee hives. 

Furniture projects in descending order include:

Adjustable bread rack with baguette basket - maple.  Made for a grocery store installation

Built-in closets with drawers and shelving for a Victorian residence

Vertical adjustable filer - mahogany and cherry

Dining room table - floating bubinga hardwood slab on a blackened steel frame

Japanese coffee table- spalted hickory and maple

Detail of a hanging cabinet- Douglas fir

This southeast Portland bungalow was built in 1914.  It had since fallen into disrepair.  The project included restoration of the house to its former detailing while modernizing the floor plan and energy efficiency.   Some of the houses features include:

Insulation of exterior walls, attic and vaulted ceiling.

Replacement of single pane windows with new Marvin mixed grain windows

Installation of clear fir casework and moulding

Restoration of five panel doors and hardware

Use of of School House lighting fixtures and shades

Installation of a Jotul free standing wood burning stove

Raising the upstairs head height

Addition of operable skylights 

Refinished wood floors

Replacement of siding with period appropriate cedar siding

This regal northeast Portland house included only two bedrooms.  The space was cramped for a family of four.   Before deciding, ultimately, to sell their house, we explored transformation of the  house to increase the space and to meet their needs. 

Design

The main addition was created by extending one of the existing twin gables. On the ground floor an office space, bathroom and laundry area were added as part of the addition. The kitchen, located on the ground floor, was expanded with a wrap around shed roof.  A deck with benches was designed to create a break out space for the kitchen and office. It provides an outdoor eating space and access to a hot tub. The new master bedroom resides on the second story with back yard views.

Attic build out

This schematic proposal looked at building out an unfinished existing attic space. It entailed the addition of two dormers to create space for a bathroom, office and flex space.