Artists Home & Workshop

Project Description: Art-Inspired Home Renovation in Portland’s Cully Neighborhood

Located in Portland’s vibrant Cully Neighborhood, this project is a transformative renovation of a classic 1950s ranch home, designed to reflect the artistic spirit and lifestyle of its owner. The client, a renowned sculptor and expert gardener, has used this property as both a home and an art studio for several decades. His deep connection to the landscape and the creative process played a crucial role in shaping the vision for this renovation, which seeks to merge the art of sculpture with the art of living.

Design Concept and Artistic Integration:

The renovation is centered around creating a seamless connection between the interior spaces and the surrounding landscape, which the client views as an extension of his sculptural work. The design introduces two strong north-south axes, connecting key areas of the home: the kitchen with the entry and the living spaces with the office and bedroom. This concept, inspired by the French architectural term "enfilade" or "on the line," creates a flowing, circular movement through the home, transforming it into a living art gallery.

A significant aspect of the renovation is the integration of a new carving workshop, attached to the existing home. The workshop is designed to be versatile, opening up to the outdoors during the warmer months, while providing a comfortable, sheltered space for working in colder weather. This space also allows for the easy transportation of large wood pieces, which the client frequently uses in his sculptural work.

Renovation and Modernization:

The existing home, with its cloistered floor plan, is being opened up and reconfigured to create a more free-flowing and connected environment. The project reclaims the existing garage space to create a spacious, modern kitchen, repositioning the front door to where the original kitchen once stood, establishing a more formal and inviting entry. The rear office space is opened up and connected to the new kitchen and workshop, allowing for a circular flow around the central stairs, enhancing the home's functionality and accessibility.

Throughout the home, walls and surfaces are being refreshed and redesigned to serve as a backdrop for the client’s artwork, creating a space that is both a personal residence and a gallery. The architecture is intentionally simple and subservient to the art, allowing the client’s creations and the surrounding landscape to take center stage.