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We have a passion for clarity— transforming complex conditions into spaces of elemental beauty and enduring value.

We work with our clients and partners to solve problems, reveal insights, and create inviting architecture for every place and purpose.


Claybourne Commons




Location:
Portland, Oregon

Type:
Multi-Family

Size:
20 Row Houses

Owner:
Anlon Construction

Status:
Completed 2017
Claybourne Commons consists of twenty-row houses (four rows of five) that occupy a half-city block in southeast Portland. Each dwelling has a simple, iconic form and is distinguished from its neighbor through detail and color. The challenge of this project was to create a cost-effective row house that is both compact and spacious in feeling. Several simple yet effective strategies were used to achieve this.

To gain the maximum sense of spaciousness, the second-floor living area occupies the entire building footprint with tall windows placed symmetrically on either end of the room. The kitchen, conceived as a freestanding wooden box, is placed off-center and visually floats within the room. The stairs are discretely tucked behind this wooden box. Each dwelling has its sense of autonomy.

Between the units, a continuous roof and wall gives the impression that each dwelling is self-contained, lightly touching but independent from its neighbor. The dwellings alternate in color from charcoal to white providing singularity to each unit.