A Treasure Hiding in Plain Sight

While all of my projects have their own unique situations, none rival my recent experience finding “hidden treasure” in the design and permit records of a client’s home. This treasure could have easily been overlooked, but fortunately I learned a long time ago that careful attention to detail could make all the difference in the success or failure of a design project.

So, what was the buried treasure, you are asking? 

While reviewing the early building records, I discovered that none other than Saul Zaik, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most pre-eminent architects, had designed portions of the house when it underwent earlier remodels. “Whaaaat!” This discovery has important and immediate implications for my client and the house, in addition to creating a list of questions. Just a few of the things we needed to discuss included:

1. Will this finding potentially increase the house’s value?
2. We need to be careful to preserve the original architectural design
3. We need to accomplish #2 in a way that both respects the original design, but also retains the initial goal of this renovation in the first place – updating for THIS family.

As you already can tell, I was incredibly excited with my finding and could barely wait to talk with my client. I was even more delighted realizing they were equally, if not more excited, upon hearing their reaction below:

"I couldn’t believe when Nina told us that my gut about the house had been right -- there was something special buried under years of additions. I cannot wait to dig into Zaik’s body of work with Nina and restore it, revitalize it to honor such a seminal Portland designer. It feels like a trust and honor that we lucked into taking on."

Moving forward, we will keep most of my original design plan but with our new information, focus on and protect details of the house that are uniquely Zaik, doing so in a way that both client and the house’s distinctive architect would be proud of.

I hope you had a wonderful summer, and like me are looking forward to the seasonal changes ahead! 

Designing YOU into Your Home

Handelman Studio

Nina@HandelmanStudio.com

503.319.0568

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