Architecture in balance: living at the edge of design and nature
3342 SW Fairmount Blvd.
Photography Partners: Luke & Mallory
Styling and Staging: The Good Mod & Vetiver Street
Today in the Studio
Suspended above the city in coveted Council Crest, this custom 1989 residence is more than a home—it’s a feat of engineering. Built in 1989 by Blum/Smith Construction Co. and designed to embrace its dramatic hillside setting, the structure rests on 21 steel piers, each driven as deep as 20 feet into the ground to anchor it to bedrock. The result is a sense of weightlessness—where vaulted ceilings, wide-open spaces, and panoramic southern views create a feeling of floating in the trees. Every room in the 3,146-square-foot layout opens to light and landscape, framing a vista that shifts with the seasons. The airy floor plan includes three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a thoughtfully designed kitchen with generous storage. A rare and remarkable home, where engineering, elegance, and nature live in harmony.
The deck—originally envisioned as a “back yard in the sky”—was fully rebuilt in 2022 with structural plans by James G. Pierson, Inc. and engineering by Grummel Engineering LLC.
Executed by Lux Construction at an investment of nearly $280,000, it now stands as a testament to craftsmanship and integrity, hovering just beyond the glass like an extension of the hillside itself.
“We had an inspector out here for every one of the 21 poles.”
— Wilfried Blum, President, Blum/Smith Construction Co.
The city of Portland closely monitors homes built on steep
sites—especially those relying on pier construction for safety and structural integrity.
“The real key to designing a house on a hillside is to make it
psychologically sturdy. It’s very easy to build it structurally sound.
What we want is for the occupants to feel secure in it.”
As reported by Bill MacKenzie in The Oregonian, “Living on the Edge in Portland: Design Puts Hill and Home in Harmony,” July 30, 1989
Built in
1989
More from the studio
A northwest modern icon, rooted in landscape and legacy
2748 SW Talbot Rd.
Designed in 1968 by architect James Miller as his family home, this Northwest Modern residence is a striking response to a wooded ravine site. Featured in Northwest Magazine in 1969, its split-level design and natural materials embody the quiet innovation of Pacific Northwest modernism.
Read more
1970s statement piece with a cinematic spirit
3103 SW Gale Ave.
Built in 1973, this Southwest Hills home captures the essence of 1970s modernism with wood accents, vaulted ceilings, and vintage details. Spanning three levels, it features forest views, a wraparound deck, and a dedicated screening room once used for professional film viewings. Its deep ties to cinema live on, with original projectors now housed in local theaters and MoMA.
Read more
Where classic beauty meets sweeping mountain and city views
2663 NW Westover Rd.
Above the city’s rhythm, this Kings Heights traditional offers a rare buildable lot, sweeping mountain and skyline views, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Featuring an expansive deck, outdoor kitchen, classic chef’s kitchen, and easy access to Forest Park, NW 23rd, and downtown—this is elevated Portland living at its finest.
Read more
A beautiful classic in the heart of Laurelhurst
444 NE Floral Pl.
Perched on a quiet Laurelhurst street, 444 NE Floral Place is a classic 1911 Craftsman with original details, warm light, and garden views. A front porch and back deck offer easy, relaxed living just blocks from NE Portland’s shops and dining.
Read more
California cool meets Portland modern
7000 SW 63rd Ave.
This renovated 1956 midcentury ranch in Southwest Portland offers California contemporary style with seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Upgraded with over $585K in thoughtful details—like a cedar hot tub, skylit interiors, and lush landscaping—it’s modern living with timeless charm.
Read more
Contemporary Arts & Crafts meets urban living in North Williams
4845 N Williams Ave.
This 1906 Craftsman blends timeless charm with modern ease in one of Portland’s most vibrant neighborhoods. With original details, a light-filled layout, and a private Airbnb suite, it’s a rare find just steps from local favorites like Albina Press and Mississippi Studios.
Read more
A melodic retreat where design, harmony, and nature converge
3909 NW Thurman St.
Set in the trees near Forest Park, this architect-designed home blends nature, community, and creativity. With vaulted ceilings, cedar finishes, and expansive decks, it’s a serene retreat just minutes from the city.
Read more
Alfred Edelman’s mid-century modern cedar sanctuary
3418 NW Thurman St.
This iconic 1969 mid-century modern home on NW Thurman, commissioned by artist Eric Marcoux and designed by architect Alfred Edelman, embodies Portland's modernist architecture and a connection to art and nature.
Read more
Taralyn and Aaron’s eccentric mid-century entertaining haven.
7221 SE Madison St.