Situated on a narrow lot in Northwest Portland’s Alphabet District, the four-story Skyview residence maximizes panoramic views of Portland’s tallest buildings, five of the city’s bridges and several of the Cascade Mountains’ most iconic peaks, including Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.
Inverting the typical residential program, Skyview’s primary living quarters, entertainment spaces and kitchen are located on the top floor, where unobstructed views become the backdrop for floor-to-ceiling glass walls that part at the corners. The 30-foot elevation, accessible via a commercial elevator or a walnut staircase, raises everyday living above the power lines and traffic noise of a bustling neighborhood. A rooftop water feature borders the top-floor living area to further mitigate noise. Structured with a core of board-formed concrete, Skyview is clad in glazed terracotta, lending a classic character to a distinctly modern home. Large swaths of transparency at every level reveal a warm interior featuring continuous matching walnut veneer.
In the master spa, a free-standing bathtub sits atop a bed of river rocks backed by a solid-slab Calacatta marble wall. The bath area opens onto a rooftop with an outdoor shower surrounded by lush foliage for privacy. Skyview’s ground level houses a custom-designed art studio complete with a CNC machine.
Throughout the design process, the design team contended with complex zoning setbacks and height restrictions, as well as the unique contextual character of the neighborhood, which comprises programs ranging from residential to multi-family to industrial. To address the client’s desire for a peaceful, natural respite in a growing neighborhood, Skyview blends the indoors and the outdoors at every turn.
Category:Private HomesYear:2020Location:Portland, Oregon, USAArchitects:William Kaven Architecture Lead Architect: Daniel Kaven and Trevor William LewisDesign Team: Michael Perso, Katy Krider, Joel Dickson, and Lauren BruniContractor:IBuildPdxPhotographer: Jeremy Bittermann / JBSA
