Archive for the Modern Homes Category
Modern Events – Film Modern Views: A Conversation on Northwest Modern Architecture
This Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 the Architectural Heritage Center will be hosting 2 free showings of the film Modern Views: A Conversation on Northwest Modern Architecture. I had the opportunity to see this film at an AIA event last year and it is full of beautiful NW Regional Style homes from the Pacific NW, mainly the Seattle area.
Showings are at:
6 pm and 7:30 pm
43 minutes
Admission is free
AHC address : 701 SE Grand Avenue Portland, OR 97214
From the Architectural Heritage Centers Website:
A studio/216 film presented by the University of Washington Department of Architecture in the College of Built Environments
Focused mainly on the works of “Northwest School” architects Arne Bystrom, Wendell Lovett, Gene Zema, Ralph Anderson, and Fred Bassetti. The architects discuss how the Pacific Northwest landscape and climate guided their design decisions and choice of building materials.
Pre-register with an email to info@VisitAHC.org and please specify which showing you would like to attend.
For more information on the film or to purchase the DVD, please go to: http://www.modernviewsfilm.com/
Modern Events – Pietro Belluschi Exhibit – Oregon Historical Society
The Architecture and Legacy of Pietro Belluschi - an exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society that will share for the first time, an overview of Pietro Belluschi’s architectural contributions during his long and richly productive career. The exhibit also uses the Belluschi Family archives to share personal mementos from his remarkable life.
Belluschi is one of my favorite local architects whose work I am fortunate enough to be able view and appreciate almost daily in the local churches, commercial buildings and on rare modern home tour occasions, the Belluschi’s own modern home.
The exhibit opens on May 17th, 2012 at the Oregon Historical Society
Museum Hours:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday
Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday
From the Oregon Historical Society website:
Although born in Italy, Pietro Belluschi (1899-1994), became known as the most important architect to have lived and worked in Oregon. He was recognized for being a prominent contributor to a style known as Pacific Northwest Regionalism as well as for mastering modern design innovations. While his buildings and influence can be found throughout the United States, many of his significant works are here in Oregon – including churches, homes and office buildings. Belluschi’s success was not only as an architect, he was also known and respected as a philosopher, educator, collaborator, advisor, and mentor.
There were three major phases in Belluschi’s career, two of which were in Oregon. First as a Northwest regionalist, his work reflected the influences of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Arts and Crafts movement and also Modernism. The next phase began in 1951 when he became Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During this time, in addition to educating and lecturing as Dean, he collaborated on buildings with numerous firms around the country, most all of which were better off with his input and advice.
This exhibit shares, for the first time, an overview of Pietro Belluschi’s architectural contributions during his long and richly productive career. The exhibit also uses the Belluschi Family archives to share personal mementos from his remarkable life.
The Parkbox Rowhouse – Now Available
I am so excited to share our newest exclusive listing. This is a very rare opportunity to own a unique, AIA award winning design in a close in Portland neighborhood. One of the famed Parkbox rowhomes, designed by Corey Martin while heading PATH architecure (currently of THA fame), is now available for purchase. Enjoy custom finishes with the highest regard to detail and aesthetic paired with a site design that connects the residents within to nature in a close in urban area.
Features:
- Designed by Corey Martin of the award winning Path Architecture
- South facing site orientation to maximize winter light, located on north side of Unthank park with sight lines to downtown and the West Hills
- Floor to ceiling commercial grade aluminum windows and sliding glass doors
- Second bedroom with custom floor to ceiling frosted glass sliding wall panels that to open and close off the space
- Custom floating stairs
- Custom built in shelving work station
- Custom cabinetry throughout
- Custom glass mosaic and subway tile in kitchen and master bath
- Custom skylight - Architectural Specialties
- Membrane roof with rooftop access
- See the homes website for more details 435 N Shaver
- RMLS 12009164
If you are interested in purchasing this home, please contact Marisa Swenson to schedule a tour 971.285.7955.
Publications and Awards
- 2009 AIA Award for Craftsmanship and Built Merit – PATH
- featured on the 2009 11xDesign modern home tour
- featured on the 2010 Street of Eames modern home tour
- Portland Monthly Houses that Make History
- Oregon Home Feature
- Residential Architect
Parkbox
New Rummer Listing – Modern Homes Portland Exclusive -SALE PENDING
UPDATE 4/19/2012 – SALE PENDING
Very rare opportunity to own a Rummer built home in the Royal Woodlands neighborhood. There were only a small handful of Rummer homes ever built in this wonderful neighborhood in the early 60′s and have remained quite elusive.
The homes owners have taken excellent care of the home keeping many original details in tact while providing modern updates.
Details:
- Built in 1962
- 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms
- Open living room that flows to dining room
- Family room off of kitchen with glass doors to the atrium
- Updated kitchen and bathrooms
- Vaulted, exposed post and beam ceiling throughout the living space
- Fireplace in living room
- Floor to ceiling windows along entire back of home
- Sliding glass doors to the backyard patio
- Indoor, covered atrium allows natural light to flow throughout the center of the home into the living spaces
- Interior clerestory windows between the kitchen and living space allows natural light in while keeping the spaces separate
- Landscaped, low maintenance yard
- Fully fenced, private yard
- Single car garage, covered carport and off street parking pad
- Air conditioning
- Forced air gas heat
- Priced at $415,000
This preview listing is currently available through Modern Homes Portland and not yet to the general public please contact Marisa Swenson at Modern Homes Portland to schedule a showing – marisa@m-homes.net – 971.285.7955
Additional details:
Oregonian Features Modern Homes Portland in Mid-Century Modern Article
Modern Homes Portland was just featured in the Oregonian in an article about the Concordia Birkemeier mid century listing (which is sale pending!):
“One of the most prolific midcentury proponents was Ken Birkemeier, who designed and built dozens of city homes, particularly in Northeast Portland neighborhoods. Some of his hallmark touches include Roman brick facades (using longer, narrower bricks), spacious rooms, large front windows and stylized round “oculus” windows. Many of his modern homes featured a combination of rooflines.
For sale at 7005 N.E. 29th Ave. in the Concordia neighborhood is one such Birkemeier, built in 1956. Focused on two fireplaces, one that faces the living room and the other the dining room, the home is a striking example of Birkemeier’s mantra of the hearth as the heart of the home.
“The owner is an interior designer,” said listing agent Swenson, “and the home has been tastefully updated while retaining its period details. It has lots of natural honey-blonde wood built-ins, beamed vaulted ceilings on the main floor and a built-in entry planter. The kitchen has been updated with custom cabinets and Pratt and Larson tile, and the lower level, which was a bar, is nearly a completely separate living quarters; it just needs a stove.
“Birkemeier was a creative builder who designed and built high-quality homes with character,” she said. “These homes rarely go on the market.”
Priced at $424,900, the 3,216-square-foot home has four bedrooms and three baths. It will be open Sunday, March 11, from 1 to 4 p.m.”
Read the entire story here
Modern Home Events – Save the Date 2012 Tours
A couple of 2012 tour dates to add to the calendar now and we will keep you posted on when tickets will be available:
The Historic Preservation League of Oregon is hosting it’s 2nd annual Rummer home tour. This years tour will be in the Bohmann Park neighborhood where there are more than a handful of wonderful Rummer designs.
Save the date for June 2nd from 10am – 4pm, when tickets are available they can be purchased on the HPLO website.
AHC Kitchen Revival Tour
The Architectural Heritage Center is hosting it’s 14th annual Kitchen Revival Tour. Tour some of the most amazing original intact kitchens and some that have been carefully renovated to reflect the homes original condition and architectural style.
Save the date for – Saturday, April 14th, 2012 from 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Ticket Cost: AHC Members – $20 General Public – $25
Architectural Heritage Center Lecture – Prairie Style Architecture in Portland
The prairie style was made quite popular by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright between 1893 – 1920. The basic design elements: low pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, strong horizontal lines, open floor plans, clerestory windows are still being used by modern architects today. Architects and builders in Portland were influenced by the popular midwest design and began designing and building prairie style homes in neighborhoods such as Irvington, Laurelhurst and the West Hills of Portland in the early 1900′s.
On March 24th, the Architectural Heritage Center in Portland will host a lecture by AHC Education Committee member Eric Wheeler who has studied the prairie style of architecture in Portland. Wheeler will discuss the connections between Portland and Mid West architects to help connect how the style made it to the NW.
Details from the AHC website:
“The Prairie School was as much an aesthetic movement as an architectural style. Promoting the Arts and Crafts values of simplicity, utility and beauty; the Prairie Style began in the Midwest and spread across the U.S., influencing a generation of architects around the world. During the height of its popularity, between 1910 and 1930, several regional architects, applied design principles first articulated by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago, to their own communities and clients in the Pacific Northwest. This presentation will highlight the Prairie Style buildings in Portland and explore the similarities and differences with other regional manifestations of the Prairie School. Architectural historian, tour guide, and AHC Education Committee member, Eric Wheeler, has studied the Prairie School for several years, most recently connecting the dots between Prairie School architects that worked both in the Midwest and in the Portland area.”
When: Saturday March 24th, 2012 from 10am-12pm
Cost: $10 members, $18 non-members
Where: The Architectural Heritage Center 701 SE Grand Portland, OR
Register Here
Concordia Mid Century Birkemeier Design – New on Market
7005 NE 29th Portland, OR 97211
This is a rare opportunity to own an original Birkemeier mid century home in immaculate condition. The home has been tastefully updated by the designer owner keeping in tact the period details while enhancing the modern aesthetic and conveniences. These homes rarely go on market and this is a great example of one that has been updated while keeping the details that make the Birkemeiers highly sought after homes. Original, natural wood beamed vaulted ceilings greet you as you enter the main floor living space. The slightly curved edges on each of the beams are a clear indication that you are in a Birkemeier original. A creative builder that enjoyed designing and building high quality homes each with original characteristics and details. Large fireplaces in both the living room and around the corner into the dining room remind us that the hearth is indeed the center and heart of the home.
Features:
- 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths
- 2,916 sq ft
- Vaulted Natural Beamed Ceiling in the Front Room
- 2 Fireplaces
- Double Car Garage
- Full Finished Basement with Full Bar (Will Easily Convert to a 2nd Full Kitchen)
- Updated Kitchen and Baths with Custom Designer Tiles and Finishes
- Landscaped Backyard with Large Patio for Outdoor Entertaining
- Roman Brick Facade with Unique Birkemeier Detailing
- Located in the popular Concordia neighborhood
- More Photos and Details at the Concordia Birkemeier Site
Concordia Birkemeier
No listings found
Concordia Birkemeier
No listings found
Contact Marisa Swenson at Modern Homes Portland to schedule a showing – marisa@m-homes.net – 971.285.7955
Modern Events – Documentary: Eames – the Architect and the Painter
It’s almost here, the Eames documentary by Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey! Playing here in Portland November 25th – December 1st at the Clinton Street Theater, showings at 7 and 9pm.
About the film:
The husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames are widely regarded as America’s most important designers. Perhaps best remembered for their mid-century plywood and fiberglass furniture, the Eames Office also created a mind-bending variety of other products, from splints for wounded military during World War II, to photography, interiors, multi-media exhibits, graphics, games, films and toys. But their personal lives and influence on significant events in American life – from the development of modernism, to the rise of the computer age – has been less widely understood. Narrated by James Franco, Eames: The Architect and the Painter is the first film since their death dedicated to these creative geniuses and their work.
Check out the trailer:
Modern Sustainable Design – The 50/10 Houses
Matthew Daby of MODaby Designs and I have had handfuls of conversations over the past couple of years about where to find/ how to build a highly efficient home that captures the modern aesthetic through materials used and intelligent design that are accessible to buyers.
Recently, Matthew has been working with local builder Cellar Ridge and through their collaboration have birthed the 50/10 houses project. These homes are designed with the goal of being extremely efficient (50% more efficient than Oregon code requires), affordable, aesthetically pleasing and produced with sustainable materials where it makes sense.
The team has set up the system so that the buyer can choose their interior floor plan based on their needs. The design is flexible and can be easily altered to meet livability needs and can be built on very narrow lots or wider lots. The buyer then chooses the exterior look that they want, Matthew has designed 6 options that range from contemporary modern to a classic home design.
Slideshow of the exterior designs:
You can view the floor plans at the 50/10 website here.
Additional features that make these homes so efficient:
- Heat Recovery Ventilator
- Compact Flourescent or LED Lighting
- No VOC Interior Paint Finish
- Low Flow Fixtures
- Natural Wool Carpeting, Marmoleum, and Tile
- Air Sealing at Framing Gaps and Cracks
- Energy Star Rated Appliances
- Bamboo Flooring
- Roof Design Oriented for Solar Panel Application
- Overhanging Eaves Designed for Weather Protection and to Shade Summer Sun
- Windows Oriented for the Most Solar Gain, Daylight and Views
- High Efficiency Heat Pump
- High Efficiency Water Heater
- Earth Advantage Certified
Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a 50/10 house :
Marisa Swenson 971-285-7955
marisa@m-homes.net
















