Atelier Waechter

CAPE COD

DATA

Awards: AIA Portland 2010 Merit Award

Completion Date: August 15th, 2010

Project Type: Residential Renovation

Square Footage: 1400

Owner: Lola Oyibo & Eric Boardman

Address: 3965 N Gantenbein Ave., Portland, OR

Architect: Atelier Waechter, Portland, OR

Builder: Prutting and Co.

Structural Engineer: Munzing Structural Engineering

Photographer: Sally Schoolmaster

The task of this project was to transform an existing 1947 single story Cape Cod style house into a compact and functional 1,400 sq.ft. modern dwelling. Each level of the new house has a distinct character to meet the needs of the new inhabitants.

FIRST FLOOR: The first floor living space is now one open room with living, dining and kitchen areas. Offset from the center of this room is a wooden box that contains “servant” spaces (stairs, powder room and storage). To go upstairs one literally steps into this wooden box creating a dramatic threshold between the main living space and the more private bedroom area above.

SECOND FLOOR: The original Cape Cod roof was removed and a second floor was added for bedrooms. In stark contrast to the first floor, the spatial order is comprised of 4 rooms organized around the central stair. The mood is quiet and calm through the scale of the rooms and the soft texture of the carpeting.

ROOF TERRACE: The open floor plan of the first floor reappears at the rooftop terrace. The diagram, once again, is a single room with a box “floating” off center. This time, however, the room perimeter consists of parapet walls which afford sweeping views of the neighborhood and distant mountains.