The client bought this oversized lot and existing 1920s house with the goal of building a new small house and renting out the existing 750 s.f. house as an accessory dwelling unit. They wanted an open shared courtyard/entry, that allowed the existing house to be fully visible from the street, and they needed an enclosed garage for their river raft, so that it was always ready for their frequent weekend rafting trips. The clients wanted a classic Craftsman bungalow, so the primary challenge was to create a skinny house that was true to the horizontal vocabulary of the style. Other requirements included a front porch, sideyard facing entry, wheelchair accessibility, a sleeping porch, and solar PV. The lot to the south had tall firs which necessitated orienting the PV panel array to west. The walls will be 2x6 framing with horizontal 2x2 furring to create a 7-1/2” cavity with blown-in high density cellulose insulation. Heating will be in-floor radiant from an air-to-water heat pump.

The owners of this nursery in Portland's southwest hills wanted an office and a unique retreat for themselves and their employees. While working for another architect, Brint Riggs designed this tower to blend with the existing buildings and surrounding landscape and to meet the needs of the owners for an office space that is also a peaceful place to unwind.

This large home just west of Banks Oregon has a stunning hilltop view towards the coastal mountains. The existing house and garage, except the finished basement, where gutted, then expanded to create a more harmoniousness design that allowed visual connection toward both the western vista and the landscape surrounding the house. The inspiration for the copula and simple board and batten siding came from local turn of the century barns and houses. The HVAC system is heat pump forced air and all of the ducting is contained within the building envelope (no attic ducting). The walls were thickened to 7-1/2” and have an extremely tight exterior weather barrier and rainscreen siding system system.

This detached accessory dwelling unit has been featured in the City of Portland's Build it Green! and in the Self Guided Accessory Dwelling open house tours. The Earth Advantage rated home incorporates 8” deep double-stud walls, in-floor radiant heat, and a heat recovery ventilator. The primary challenges were a very tight construction budget and the pre-2016 ADU land use codes, which where far more onerous than they are today. The 799-square-foot home feels spacious despite its small size due to cathedral ceilings and an open floor plan. The site was mostly shaded from deciduous trees to the south, negating PV solar panels as an option, but we did take advantage of the leafless winter trees by placing the majority the windows on its southern walls for solar gain.

This 1909 house had almost no improvements made to it since it was built. The new owners set goals to be completed in four phases, including, preserving and improving the historic character, high energy efficiency, and a basement ADU. The first two phases included replacing the foundation, creating a full basement, then adding an addition to the rear. Currently, it’s in its 3rd phase of improvement: expanding the front dormer and renovating the entire house. The final phase will be creating a new garage/art studio. Energy conserving upgrades include: a ground source heat pump that provides both domestic hot water and heating; 6kw PV panel array; a drain water heat recovery system; 8” double stud walls with high density insulation; a heat recovery ventilation system; in-floor hydronic heating; and extra thick integrated concrete form (ICF) basement walls.

This 800 square foot light filled one-bedroom ADU is an Airbnb when the retired owners are not in town and receives a 100% five star rating from guests. The exterior detailing compliments the existing 1906 house and the interior also has traditional finishes, but the plan is thoroughly modern. Privacy is maximized by having windows only to the east and west, with the front facing windows placed higher to enhance visual separation from the street. Heating is provided by in-floor hydronics and the upstairs bedroom has a ducted mini-split air conditioner. Walls are 7” deep with blown-in high density cellulose insulation and the roof shape is optimized for future PV panels with an east-west oriented gable.

Go to Airbnb Gorgeous Laurelhurst 2 bed home! Walk Score 93! to see more.

This porch addition and kitchen remodel in Ladd’s Addition remain true to the character of the 1920s home while embracing the lifestyle of its very 21st-century owners.

This kitchen remodel was designed for a newly married couple, who wanted a conservative yet beautiful kitchen with plenty of storage. We incorporated wood surfaces in rich colors, together with a carmelized bamboo floor.

The owner of this Tudor-style home wanted to convert an unused attic space into a master suite, including a new bathroom. The design incorporated new front and back dormers and a small side dormer, resulting in a light, open space. The addition complements the home's Tudor style.