Historic Alphabet Catalyst | Alphabet District
- Adrian Rennie
- Apr 2, 2024
- 2 min read
This home is special in a multitude of ways. The interior, the exterior, and the surrounding neighborhood all must be addressed. We’ll boil down its unique attributes to a digestible few. Those attributes we touch on will start from the big picture and dial into the minor - still crucial - details.
Starting with the bigger picture, you must know that this property is what started the movement for the application and inventory process to save historic homes in neighborhoods throughout Portland. In the 1960’s this townhome, along with the ones attached to it were almost obliterated by a wrecking ball. Thanks to two architects and activists, George Crosby “Bing” Sheldon Jr. and Carolyn Sheldon, these townhomes did not get demolished. Without their efforts, the rest of this piece would not exist.
Honing in on the property now, it is important to take note and highlight the way the home is positioned in the neighborhood. Even though the 405 Freeway is only a block away, you can hardly hear it. This phenomenon, often referred to as “sound scoping” or “acoustic zoning” is often strategic. In this case, it appears to be a coincidence. Acoustic zoning caters to different activities around the subject. This is felt when entering the neighborhood. At first, when entering the neighborhood, you DO hear the freeway. Then, once you reach the home, that noise has been dampened by the surrounding buildings and trees. What this does is it prompts the senses to shift from one mode to another. When you get off the freeway and still hear the noise, you are a part of something, mass movement. When you get to the home and your surroundings have changed, you sense tranquility. Simply through sound, your environment has changed. The soundscape is what helps create the first feeling of separation and privacy at the house.
Going into the home now, you’ll notice from the pictures the natural wood, original hardware, and light-filled rooms. These three characteristics come together in such a way that creates a feeling of stillness and calm even in the negative space in the home. All that needs to be said for what creates this feeling is that we work with tangible things, to use what is non-tangible.
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