William / Kaven Architecture has conceived this striking modern dream house that’s tucked into a forested hillside of Portland, Oregon’s Forest Park neighborhood. This sensational neighborhood is one of the largest urban forests in the United States and is so ideal to be close to a city center but feel like you are living in the middle of nowhere.
This two-story structure was designed so that its inhabitants could reside amongst the mature-growth trees that surround the dwelling. Immersed in the natural terrain, the dwelling provides floor-to-ceiling views of the woodlands, while large terraces allow the occupants to maximize their time enjoying nature.
This spectacular dwelling encompasses 3,815 square feet of living space (4,352 with the garage), boasting four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. There is also an additional 735 square feet of outdoor living space on the terraces. Note: The black facade is non-combustible siding from the Aspyre Collection by James Hardie (to help comply with local fire regulations).
Enter through a dramatic foyer with clerestory windows into the main living area, which features white oak floors with dark walnut inlay borders, a substantial wood-burning hearth, and a kitchen lined with custom-designed, handcrafted oak cabinetry.
Floor-to-ceiling glass and wall-to-wall sliding doors seamlessly extend the living spaces into the forestscape and giving way to expansive terraces and unobstructed views of the natural flora cascading down to the valley floor.
What We Love: This modern dream house offers its inhabitants a private, forested living experience just minutes from downtown Portland. Encouraging indoor/outdoor living, the forest is drawn into the home through expansive walls of glazing and large terraces. The expansive floor plan offers plenty of private nooks to enjoy the ever-changing forested landscape. Submerged and cantilevered into the hillside this dramatic two-story home beautifully integrates into its wooded setting.
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Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other amazing home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Oregon: A black cladding house in Oregon blends in seamlessly with nature and This modern contemporary home offers inviting warmth in Oregon.
Above: The kitchen features handcrafted oak cabinetry. A pair of skylights flood this space with daylight.
Throughout the day, the kitchen and living areas are flooded with southern light, while the deciduous canopy perennially exposes the diffuse winter sky and tempers the hot summer sun.
On warm nights, slide open the 13’ pocketed wall off the kitchen and dine beside a Juliet balcony overlooking dense greenery and deep ravines. Or, on winter nights, huddle beside the central hearth.
Above: Notice the dark walnut inlays on the oak floor, providing an elegant way to define the living spaces in an open-concept floor plan.
This incredible residence is a rare gem set into forested acreage less than 500 feet from the renowned Wildwood Trail, boasting sweeping exterior terraces and balconies overlooking a lush wooded expanse.
Above: The entryway of the home features clerestory windows, flooding the space with natural light. The Tom Dixon pendant lights add a sculptural element over the staircase. This leads to the lower level of the dwelling, where the private bedroom spaces are situated.
Above: Morning rays reach into all bedrooms, which are carefully oriented to optimize eastern exposure. A wrap-around terrace provides a private outdoor retreat surrounded by breathtaking forest views.
This cleverly designed modern dwelling cantilevers far above the forest floor among the reaches of Douglas fir and vine maple. The property is encircled by a vast network of hiking trails.
PHOTOGRAPHER Jeremy Bittermann / JBSA
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