4335 SW Altadena Av
West Hills Original
Located in the close-in west hills above SW Dosch and Hamilton with a view of the valley and coast range, this house from the early fifties continues to offer the essence of a modernism that equally embraced and valued practicality, livability, and esthetics. Its plan, lines, finishes, and detailing embody the modernist approach and achieve the effect of elegant simplicity which, for those responsible for its execution know, is anything but simple to achieve. The house also appears to be an example of modernism as an approachable and affordable style.
An extant set of blueprints for this house has a tag from the City of Portland Bureau of Buildings dated 1951. There is no architect's title block or name on the plans; a heating layout page, done in a different hand than the other sheets, states "heating layout for Mr and Mrs Jack Marshal residence."
The original plans show the house with three bedrooms and a bathroom in a wing on the north side of the house. The living dining and kitchen areas with another full bath are situated in the south section of the house with the double garage. This is the current configuration of the house. But it is interesting that the house was built in two stages: the south section of the house was built first with the living, dining, kitchen, bath and garage--effectively creating a "studio" house without a bedroom. The assumption is that this was what the original owners could afford starting out.
Another set of plans titled "Addition to Residence for Mr and Mrs Jack Marshal" has the City of Portland Bureau of Buildings stamp dated 1956; this set of drawings bears the stamp of the firm Sundeleaf, Hagestad & Peace Architects--the firm Richard Sundeleaf formed in 1955. Sundeleaf was a well known and accomplished local architect whose career spanned many years (the twenties into the eighties) and whose work, whether commercial or residential, was always forward looking. The firm's 1956 version of the bedroom wing has been changed from the original configuration to include a master bedroom with a dressing room and separate bathroom.
Overall, this is a very well done house with tight and crisp detailing throughout. Proportions are pleasing and the ceiling plane throughout the house (clear cedar) is particularly well done, providing a sense of unity and flow to the whole. The house seems wonderfully efficient, with a good amount of well thought out storage: one has to wonder if this is a result of the original configuration as a studio and a mindset to make the most of the space at hand. Heat is in-floor radiant. The west wall of the house is virtually all glass and takes full advantage of the view. A wonderful brick terrace and wood deck run the length of the house on this side with doors to the outside from the dining and living areas.
- 2138 square feet
- one level living
- 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms
- 10,000 sq ft lot with valley and coast range views
- schools: Reike, Gray and Wilson
- double garage
- in floor hydronic radiant heat
- property taxes $5450
- bob zaikoski realtor and broker specializing in architectural properties
- 503 381-3115 | bob@portlandmodern.com |
