Wygant Residence
Portland, OR
Transforming Spaces, Honoring Heritage, Elevating Wellness…
The project honors the home’s original architecture, blending new additions with a respectful nod to the past. We introduced modern elements that added a touch of whimsy and personality to the exterior, carefully chosen to complement rather than overshadow the existing structure. The result is a design that feels both timeless and distinctly personal to the owners.
Originally built in the 1940s, this cherished home holds decades of history and additions made over the years by previous owners. The owners approached us about adding more space to their home for their growing family, but site constraints and an ADU in the backyard made building up the only option, which would tower over the neighborhood. After assessing the home and discussing their needs, we realized a better solution was to remodel the existing space to better meet their lifestyle. This approach preserved the home's charm, saved costs, and created a functional layout that fits seamlessly into the neighborhood.
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Set against the scenic Willamette River, the property offers breathtaking views. Our mission was to celebrate this natural beauty in the home’s redesign. The original layout, while charming, offered little access to their outdoor spaces and incredible scenic views. We reconfigured the spaces to improve flow, creating a more functional, open interior that allows for seamless movement from room to room. The new open-concept living spaces creates a seamless access to the outdoors, maximizing the home’s potential while catering to the owner’s lifestyle.
Reconfiguring the layout of this home brought unique challenges, especially in our mission to create open, seamless living spaces across the first and second floors. To improve flow, we relocated the staircase to a more central and efficient location, enhancing the connectivity between floors and achieving a modern, open feel throughout.
However, due to the existing layout of the basement, moving the basement stairs wasn’t feasible. Since the basement is used primarily for storage, Harka’s design team devised an innovative solution: a hydraulic hatch in the floor provides access to the basement stairs when needed, while remaining hidden to preserve the openness of the main living areas. This creative approach allowed us to honor the home's character and limitations, while delivering a space that perfectly fits the owner's vision for modern functionality.
We made the most of every corner, uncovering hidden opportunities for storage that blend seamlessly into the home’s aesthetic. One key solution was transforming the typically unused area beneath the staircase into deep, multi-functional storage accessible from the entry, living, and dining rooms. This thoughtful use of space provides practical storage options while maintaining the clean, open feel of the main living areas. By maximizing every inch, we created a home that is as functional as it is beautiful.
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Health and wellness were top priorities, so we incorporated sustainable, non-toxic materials and improved air quality through extensive air sealing. This commitment to eco-conscious design extends to every aspect of the renovation, from energy-efficient windows to natural materials that enhance indoor air quality, creating a healthier living environment for the family.
When the owners sought a healthier, low-maintenance alternative to traditional tile for their bathroom, our interior designer introduced them to tadelakt plaster. This unique, waterproof, and grout-free finish not only meets the need for easy upkeep but also offers a soft, handcrafted aesthetic that elevates the space. With its smooth, natural feel, tadelakt provides a refined, eco-friendly option that perfectly complements the home’s design while supporting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
This renovation reimagines what it means to live in a historical home. By enhancing the scenic views, optimizing the layout, and embedding sustainable practices into the design, we’ve created a space that feels both new and nostalgic, personal and practical. This isn’t just a house; it’s a home that truly works for the family, offering a sanctuary that will continue to evolve with them for years to come.
