Set high in the hills of Southwest Portland, this mid-century home sits on a compact urban lot with sweeping views across the city. The steep terrain shapes everything about the site. At the street, the house meets the road almost directly, with little front yard. Toward the back, the land drops sharply, opening the house to expansive views and natural light.
The renovation, designed by PKA Architecture, unfolded gradually over several years. The goal was clear from the beginning: restore the home’s mid-century character while making it work better for contemporary family life. Rather than focusing only on finishes, the project rethought how the house moves and lives day to day. Circulation, light, and flexibility became the guiding ideas.
The entry was the first space to change. In its original form, the front door felt compressed by the tight hillside setting. PKA introduced a new entry overhang that provides shelter and creates a more defined moment of arrival. A lush vegetative buffer softens the edge between house and street, adding greenery where space for landscaping was limited. The result is a small but meaningful transition from road to home.
Inside, natural light became a central design tool. Windows were expanded in key areas to bring in daylight and capture the wide city views beyond the slope. The new openings shift the atmosphere of the interiors, allowing rooms to feel brighter and more connected to the landscape.
At the center of the house, the kitchen was redesigned as the family hub. Updated cabinetry and fresh finishes give the space a clear, contemporary character while maintaining a warm material palette. It is a place for cooking, gathering, and everyday routines, positioned naturally within the flow of the home.
One of the most impactful changes is a new stair that improves circulation between levels. Carefully integrated into the plan, the stair also incorporates additional storage, solving two challenges at once. Throughout the house, smaller updates continue this practical approach: improved lighting, new cabinetry, and the addition of a lower-level bathroom all help the home function more smoothly.
The design also makes room for the family’s art collection, assembled through years of travel. Walls and niches were arranged to accommodate artwork, allowing the pieces to become part of the architecture rather than decoration added afterward. The home begins to reflect the lives of its occupants as much as its mid-century origins.
Lifestyle additions support that sense of everyday comfort. A compact sauna introduces a quiet space for relaxation, while a flexible home office responds to the evolving ways people live and work today.
At the back of the house, the steep site becomes an advantage. Expanded deck areas and larger windows take full advantage of the panoramic Portland views. Outdoor space feels closely tied to the interiors, extending daily life toward the landscape.
Durable exterior materials were chosen to withstand the Pacific Northwest climate. Together with a refreshed façade, they give the house a renewed presence while ensuring it will age gracefully over time. The result is a careful balance: a mid-century home restored with respect, and gently adapted for the rhythms of contemporary living.
