Gilbert / Kircher Residence 1 - 1984
". . . I designed a small house and maximized space. Designing vertically three stories facilitated cost savings with less roof and foundation expense, and the structure fit into the site very neatly. I disturbed the unstable soil as little as possible with no land displacement. In fact, only one tree had to be removed during construction."
This house was featured in Sunset Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens when it was built in 1984. Sited on top of an abandoned pumphouse, this woodsy, secluded house is only five minutes from downtown Portland. A small starter house (only 1450 square feet), it utilizes an open plan (middle photo) to maximize the spaces -- they just "feel" larger. The open plan of the main floor makes entertaining easy -- kitchen, dining and living spaces all coexist without borders (so guests can't jam the doorways). Bottom photo: Looking down from the second floor, this atrium/entryway added to the open-ness of each floor and invited the forest in.
	Interior photos by Stephen Cridland
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