This hilltop property with an existing degraded 1960’s home had not taken advantage of the 360 degree surrounding views and opportunities for outdoor living. We took the lead from a soon-to-be-retired Portland executive to strategize a masterplan for construction of a studio, pool house and main residence, phased over a four year period.

Outdoor living in Southern Oregon is exemplified in this first phase by creating extended outdoor living spaces framed by the structures. The smaller shop building of 450 SF and the conversion of a 550 SF garage to a pool house were designed to create a “courtyard” pool area that framed foothill views to the south while maintaining a connection to the future residence to the north. Glass garage doors in both structures were utilized to open the bar seating area to the pool and fire pit. This has been the client’s retreat space on weekends as well as a place to be during the construction of the main house.

Furthering the theme with the master plan on the property, we designed the main residence to communicate with the outdoor space and pool area by placing 20 foot bifolding doors on the south and north side of the great room. This linear exposure to the south created a passive solar opportunity as well as a view through this space from the garden area and pool. The residence has a concrete slab on grade with hydronic radiant heating and a ductless system in the ceilings for cooling. Additionally, a heat recovery ventilator aids as a source of clean, filtered air as a strategy for mitigating occasional wildfire smoke.

The overall indoor/outdoor quality of this 2,300 SF home creates a sense of expansiveness yet, due to the interrelationship of the defined spaces, the scale of intimacy is not compromised.

Featured on cover & in Oregon Home magazine, Summer 2020
Awarded Oregon Home 2018 Structure + Style Award for Architectural Design.

Contractor: Conscious Construction
Landscape Architect: Laurie Sager & Associates Landscape Architects Inc.