Royal II is the second in a series of homes developed and designed by the Architect on a wooded, steeply sloped site within Forest Park, one of the largest forested urban reserves in the United States. The studio, along with associated partners, owns nine residentially zoned parcels of land overlooking a portion of the 5,000-acre woodland sitting west of downtown Portland, which boasts a rich system of hiking trails and creeks. The design for the development began with a simple thesis: create an opportunity to live among the trees without sacrificing the conveniences of urban life.
Through siting and material selection, the design team sought to sustain an experience of seclusion and privacy while still providing easy access to the amenities of the city. Located within minutes of downtown and less than 500 feet from the renowned Wildwood Trail, Royal II accomplishes both.
The ongoing aesthetic vision for the development is to create a collection of homes unified in materiality and design ethos, but distinct in floor plans and overall execution. The homes are meant to read as iterations on a theme, connected by a unifying thread.
Upon approach, Royal II presents a modest profile, featuring muted colors and a simple material palette of dark steel, concrete and glass. The entrance level conceals the bulk of the house, which steps down the slope in terraced levels. The cantilevered main living areas and the sloped site reduce the home’s footprint, minimizing disturbances to the ecosystem on the ground.
Royal II was designed to make the most of a spectacular landscape without unduly compromising either the architecture or the environment. At every turn, the design team sought to prioritize the existing beauty of the site. Expansive glazing fully exposes the rooms to their environs. Extensive daylighting studies and skylights allow morning rays into all bedrooms, which are carefully oriented to the east. Throughout the day, kitchen and living areas are flooded with southern light, while the deciduous canopy tempers the hot summer sun.
Serving as both Architect and Developer allowed the studio to push the limits of design and limit creative compromises. Wallpaper Magazine has dubbed the project “inspiring and forward-thinking” and “a cut above the conventional speculative development.” As an ongoing project, the development is meant to grow organically, resulting in a unified design that evolves over time.
Category:Private HomesYear:2023Location:Portland, Oregon, USAArchitects:William / Kaven ArchitectureLead Architects:Daniel Kaven, Trevor William Lewis, Mike Perso, Joel Dickson, Natalie GaryetDesign Team: Daniel Kaven, Trevor William Lewis, Mike Perso, Joel Dickson, Natalie GaryetContractor:Metcalf Design & Construction, Portland, ORClient: WKL LLCPhotographer: Jeremy Bittermann / JBSA
