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West Slope
West Slope
Portland, OR, United States
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Other Projects by Ground Workshop
West Slope
Portland, OR, United States
Firm
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2023
SIZE
10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft
BUDGET
$100K - 500K
“Home” reflects not only who we are, but also our relationship to community and context. Located in Portland, Oregon, West Slope embodies this dynamic relationship through the reimagining of a mid-century Saul Zaik residence. What began as a master plan for new owners evolved into a phased redesign of the property’s front yard—transforming a car-dominated landscape into one that reconnects house, garden, and street.
Originally built in 1954, the home exudes Northwest modernism, yet 1970s renovations had replaced its openness with clipped boxwoods and a pull-through motor court, severing its link to nature. Undoing these ad-hoc alterations and restoring a dialogue between architecture and landscape became the project’s guiding principle.
Driven by the owners’ wish to create a multifunctional, community-facing space, the new design transforms the front setback into a garden of connection and retreat. Sliding bands of crushed stone and planting reinterpret modernism’s brick forecourt, while low weathered steel walls define the perimeter without enclosing it. River birches and ornamental grasses bring vertical rhythm and movement, and pollinator-friendly perennials add warmth and seasonality. A board-form concrete wall with a cedar bench forms a modern “front porch,” inviting casual interaction with the neighborhood. Along the corner lot, shou sugi ban wood screens and moveable furnishings create quiet niches and an edible garden that engages the senses.
West Slope explores the balance between privacy and participation—between being part of a community and preserving individuality. Slipped planes of planting and stone establish a sense of wander, weaving moments for play, reflection, and conversation. The drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plant palette sustains pollinators and reduces water use while enriching the sensory experience throughout the seasons.
Materiality is intentionally minimal: concrete, stone, and steel form the backbone, with crushed stone paths capturing the sound of movement and inviting informal play. The restrained palette and human-scaled detailing mirror the home’s architectural heritage while introducing a contemporary softness.
Sustainability is embedded throughout. Seventy-two percent of impervious surface was removed, replaced with permeable materials to enhance on-site stormwater management. High-efficiency irrigation and LED lighting support long-term resilience.
Through careful de-paving and design restraint, West Slope redefines the modern front yard as both a threshold and a gathering space—a landscape that celebrates daily life, community, and the quiet joy of connection to nature.
Originally built in 1954, the home exudes Northwest modernism, yet 1970s renovations had replaced its openness with clipped boxwoods and a pull-through motor court, severing its link to nature. Undoing these ad-hoc alterations and restoring a dialogue between architecture and landscape became the project’s guiding principle.
Driven by the owners’ wish to create a multifunctional, community-facing space, the new design transforms the front setback into a garden of connection and retreat. Sliding bands of crushed stone and planting reinterpret modernism’s brick forecourt, while low weathered steel walls define the perimeter without enclosing it. River birches and ornamental grasses bring vertical rhythm and movement, and pollinator-friendly perennials add warmth and seasonality. A board-form concrete wall with a cedar bench forms a modern “front porch,” inviting casual interaction with the neighborhood. Along the corner lot, shou sugi ban wood screens and moveable furnishings create quiet niches and an edible garden that engages the senses.
West Slope explores the balance between privacy and participation—between being part of a community and preserving individuality. Slipped planes of planting and stone establish a sense of wander, weaving moments for play, reflection, and conversation. The drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plant palette sustains pollinators and reduces water use while enriching the sensory experience throughout the seasons.
Materiality is intentionally minimal: concrete, stone, and steel form the backbone, with crushed stone paths capturing the sound of movement and inviting informal play. The restrained palette and human-scaled detailing mirror the home’s architectural heritage while introducing a contemporary softness.
Sustainability is embedded throughout. Seventy-two percent of impervious surface was removed, replaced with permeable materials to enhance on-site stormwater management. High-efficiency irrigation and LED lighting support long-term resilience.
Through careful de-paving and design restraint, West Slope redefines the modern front yard as both a threshold and a gathering space—a landscape that celebrates daily life, community, and the quiet joy of connection to nature.
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