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The architect and owners were in sync on every aspect of the design, including the desire for shou sugi ban siding. “I had been interested in shou sugi ban for a long time,” Herrmann says. “These Japanese cypress boards have been charred, wire-brushed, stained, and oiled. We did a lot of testing to come up with the right dark grey color; it changes in the light.”
The architect and owners were in sync on every aspect of the design, including the desire for shou sugi ban siding. “I had been interested in shou sugi ban for a long time,” Herrmann says. “These Japanese cypress boards have been charred, wire-brushed, stained, and oiled. We did a lot of testing to come up with the right dark grey color; it changes in the light.”
Board-formed concrete provides a pleasing but not overly decorative finish for the backside of the lower level. The living room volume and concrete terrace sit atop the garage.
Board-formed concrete provides a pleasing but not overly decorative finish for the backside of the lower level. The living room volume and concrete terrace sit atop the garage.
In Portland, Oregon, Jeff Kovel of Skylab Architecture designed a house for Kaja and Kristopher Taft using HOMB triangular modules he developed with Method Homes. HOMB also features a super-insulated building skin and a highly efficient mechanical system. Kovel designed the living room’s sofa as well.
In Portland, Oregon, Jeff Kovel of Skylab Architecture designed a house for Kaja and Kristopher Taft using HOMB triangular modules he developed with Method Homes. HOMB also features a super-insulated building skin and a highly efficient mechanical system. Kovel designed the living room’s sofa as well.
Taft Residence Floor Plan A Open Studio B Bedroom C Bathroom D Mezzanine E Laundry F Master Closet G Master Bathroom H Master Bedroom I Shed J Planter K Entry L Bar M Powder Room N Dining Area O Living Area P Kitchen Q Mud Room R Utility S Den T Carport
Taft Residence Floor Plan A Open Studio B Bedroom C Bathroom D Mezzanine E Laundry F Master Closet G Master Bathroom H Master Bedroom I Shed J Planter K Entry L Bar M Powder Room N Dining Area O Living Area P Kitchen Q Mud Room R Utility S Den T Carport
The master bedroom is perched above the kitchen. Kovel designed the landscaping with Kitty Davis of LandCurrent and Glenn Nardelli of Pistils Landscape Design + Build.
The master bedroom is perched above the kitchen. Kovel designed the landscaping with Kitty Davis of LandCurrent and Glenn Nardelli of Pistils Landscape Design + Build.
“My favorite spot is the kitchen,” says Kaja Taft of the prefab home she shares with her family in Portland. “I can stand in it and cook and converse with everyone.” The space overlooks the back yard. The white-oak cabinetry is by HOMB and the countertops are Caesarstone. A hood by Faber is above a Dacor range.
“My favorite spot is the kitchen,” says Kaja Taft of the prefab home she shares with her family in Portland. “I can stand in it and cook and converse with everyone.” The space overlooks the back yard. The white-oak cabinetry is by HOMB and the countertops are Caesarstone. A hood by Faber is above a Dacor range.
The Hansgrohe sinks are paired with Duravit faucets.
The Hansgrohe sinks are paired with Duravit faucets.
Hexagonal tiles made by the Portland Cement Company continue the pattern in the bathroom, where the architect designed low drawers and cabinets that are easy for Luna to reach.
Hexagonal tiles made by the Portland Cement Company continue the pattern in the bathroom, where the architect designed low drawers and cabinets that are easy for Luna to reach.
The core of the glass-enclosed spiral stair is a hexagon, a reference to the moments in the floor plan in which six triangular modules are joined together to form the shape.
The core of the glass-enclosed spiral stair is a hexagon, a reference to the moments in the floor plan in which six triangular modules are joined together to form the shape.
“There was nothing here. Eight hours later, there was a house made out of triangles," says resident Kaja Taft.
“There was nothing here. Eight hours later, there was a house made out of triangles," says resident Kaja Taft.
“There are floor-to-ceiling windows in almost every room,” says Kaja Taft of her prefab home in Portland. “Light was a big part of why we loved this design.” With so much light comes the need to block it out at times, especially in the children’s rooms. Though the couple invested in solar shades and blackout curtains by Mari Design, “They still get up at 5:30,” Kaja says with a laugh. As in all the bedrooms, the carpet tiles are from Flor.
“There are floor-to-ceiling windows in almost every room,” says Kaja Taft of her prefab home in Portland. “Light was a big part of why we loved this design.” With so much light comes the need to block it out at times, especially in the children’s rooms. Though the couple invested in solar shades and blackout curtains by Mari Design, “They still get up at 5:30,” Kaja says with a laugh. As in all the bedrooms, the carpet tiles are from Flor.
The couple’s son, Rio, pauses on the mezzanine, which leads to the bedrooms.
The couple’s son, Rio, pauses on the mezzanine, which leads to the bedrooms.
The house's triangle pattern is also visible in the skylight hovering over the double-height main space. The ceiling beams are designed to resemble a honeycomb..
The house's triangle pattern is also visible in the skylight hovering over the double-height main space. The ceiling beams are designed to resemble a honeycomb..
The triangle is the home’s leitmotiv, appearing in the cantilevered bedroom module and the steps approaching the entrance.
The triangle is the home’s leitmotiv, appearing in the cantilevered bedroom module and the steps approaching the entrance.
The client needed a spot to work from home, so Astrain designed this angled desk that works with the quirky geometry of the home. "When the client saw it being installed, she liked it so much she wanted more of them, and asked for another by her bed and by the entrance," says Astrain.
The client needed a spot to work from home, so Astrain designed this angled desk that works with the quirky geometry of the home. "When the client saw it being installed, she liked it so much she wanted more of them, and asked for another by her bed and by the entrance," says Astrain.
The backsplash and counters look like marble but are actually hardworking quartz. A drop in the counter gives breathing room to the window. The soothing, mint shade of paint is Little Greene Aquamarine Deep.
The backsplash and counters look like marble but are actually hardworking quartz. A drop in the counter gives breathing room to the window. The soothing, mint shade of paint is Little Greene Aquamarine Deep.
In the kitchen, bespoke plywood panels wrap IKEA cabinet inserts for a high-end feel on a budget. "The kitchen is a collection of very intricate details," says Astrain, who fitted the space down to the last available millimeter. The space benefits from two windows now, thanks to the relocated dining area.
In the kitchen, bespoke plywood panels wrap IKEA cabinet inserts for a high-end feel on a budget. "The kitchen is a collection of very intricate details," says Astrain, who fitted the space down to the last available millimeter. The space benefits from two windows now, thanks to the relocated dining area.