Project credits:
Original architect: Saul Zaik
Renovating architect: SHED Architecture & Design
Project team: Prentis Hale, Robert Arlt
Contractor: Purch and Holding
Structural engineer: Grummel Engineering
Originally designed in the 1960s by Saul Zaik, an American architect, the Portland House was renovated by the Seattle design firm SHED Architecture & Design. The house is in a forest overlooking Mount Hood in Portland, Oregon.
In 2024, the Mori House was brought into the new era. The renovations amplified Zaik’s designs while also keeping the client’s modern minimalism in consideration.
The Original Design
The Mori House was designed by Zaik for his friend and next-door neighbour, the interior designer Howard Hermanson. The house, featuring an elevated deck, was designed to be situated on a steep slope, the entrance to which followed the path down the hill. The house, surrounded by views of the forest on the north side, is a nod to the Pacific Northwest regional style which emphasized the integration of landscape with light and the use of natural materials.
“We inherited a great and unique structure, and the primary driver for the project engaged the principle of addition through subtraction,” Robert Arlt, architect at SHED Architecture & Design, told Dezeen.
New Design Approach
The design of the 3,725 sq ft house revolves around a skylight which is located at the peak of the hip roof. “The house had accumulated many layers of finishes, separated kitchen and living spaces, small bathrooms, and a tight spiral stair connected the walkout basement and loft under the large skylight which inhibited circulation, natural light, and views. Given the task to reconfigure the circulation, remove the loft, and maximize natural light, the question we kept coming back to during the design investigation was how do we do that so the central skylight can organize and impact every space in the home?” Arlt said.
Considering the focus on the skylight was the main feature of the renovation, the design team shifted the function of the space to the perimeter of the plan. There is a clear distinction between public and private areas, achieved by reconfiguring the spiral staircase to a single-turn staircase pushed along the south-side entry.
“This allowed detailed interventions to engage the existing structure, including the slat screen wrapping the stairwell and primary suite hall to filter the light to the north spaces outside the core,” the team said, which added that it emphasized the house’s structural nail-laminated wood.
The outdoor deck space utilization increased as a result of the renovation. It opened up the lower level, particularly the basement level, to the outside in two directions. The inherently natural material palette provides the perfect connection with the natural surroundings. The volcanic stone countertops and stone tiles correspond with the cedar, ash, and vertical-grain fir finishes.
The Renovated Themes
Skylight – integrated Home Design: Using the skylight as the central design element allows the interior space to be illuminated with natural light, positioning the design on the cusps of sustainable architecture.
Minimalist Renovations: The renovations emphasized simplicity and functionality, retaining the essence of the design and adding minimalist renovations to bring in the modernist tastes of the client. This tendency to design without excess reflects an expanding preference for essentialist environments.
Nature – connected Living Space: The connection of architecture with nature offers a sense of calm and wellness which appeals to the resident’s need for greener living conditions.
“The single biggest sustainable aspect of the project is the reuse of the building,” the team said.
“Other features include the skylight and other large openings negate the need for artificial lighting and new dense pack insulation throughout, efficient windows, and a new furnace also reduce energy demand.”
References:
Duong, A. (2025) Skylight-centric home renovations, TrendHunter.com. Available at: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portland-house-renovation (Accessed: 03 May 2025).
Mazade, K. (2025) Shed Architecture & Design Centres Portland house renovation around skylight, SHED Architecture & Design centres Portland house renovation around skylight. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2025/04/24/shed-portland-house-renovation-skylight (Accessed: 03 May 2025).
