Over the years Owen Gabbert, LLC has completed many projects in collaboration with the owners of Andina, a highly acclaimed Peruvian restaurant in the Pearl District, who also own the building, making improvements for the business and building shell. These projects vary from improvements to bathroom finishes and the primary kitchen all the way to a full seismic upgrade of the upper two floors and the addition of a third floor within the building envelope. Most notably, all these projects had to be completed with limited to no impact on the business operations. Kitchen upgrades and expansions have been completed in shutdowns of less than a week while seismic work, including an overhaul of the private dining space, was completed over a number of months, as lunch and dinner service continued uninterrupted. Concurrently, the private dining room of Tupai was rethought to accommodate new structural supports and refreshed to bring new energy into the space. Our team relocated their large walk-in cooler to the basement level to create new office space in the underutilized second floor. Most recently, we have built a structure for guests to dine outdoors throughout the year.

Architect: Emerick Architects
Engineer: BK Engineers
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

As part of the continuing effort to develop and build innovative, urban, infill housing, Owen Gabbert, LLC completed a coliving project in North Portland. Located on a 2800 sf lot with an existing 1890s single family home, the property was acquired to develop the small portion of land to the East of the original home. The new 4000 sf duplex functions in concert with the existing house to form a 16 bedroom community run by OpenDoor, a coliving operator and frequent collaborator. The community consists of 4 bedrooms in the original home and 12 bedrooms with a mix of shared and private bathrooms in the new duplex. The new building has a beautiful, modern design with an entire open floor of dedicated fully furnished common space – including a large communal kitchen, dining and living spaces.

Located on a dead end street next to the I-5 freeway, this project reflects a willingness to tackle challenging sites with significant constraints - both as a builder and a developer. Rather than bemoaning those challenges, the team embraced them from the outset, developing a site responsive design that maximizes the building size within the available space. To maximize usable space, create room for a terrace, and orient the building towards desirable views, the team pursued a modern take on the city’s oriel window standard allowing the building to cantilever over the street. The building’s 3rd floor pivots from the floors below to create a dynamic architectural element that engages with the dead end street, and creates a visual impact when seen while driving on the freeway or crossing over it on Skidmore Street. The completed project features an unusual siding detail made of prefinished cedar in a reverse board and batten style and a unique cornice design to satisfy the requirements of the city’s community design standards.

Designer: Beebe Skidmore Architects
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Development Team: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Engineer: Allstructure Engineering
Photographer: Lincoln Barbour Studio

This 1969 mid-century home designed by William Fletcher in SW Portland had a single owner prior to being purchased by our clients, who engaged Owen Gabbert LLC to restore and revive aged and damaged finishes and to add a few modern touches, while being careful not to destroy the integrity of the original design.

The project encompassed three-bathroom remodels, doors and window repair and replacement, new lighting, and restoration of damaged surfaces. Painstaking effort was taken to restore aged and damaged finishes in the kitchen, while non original tile flooring and a fireplace surround were removed and replaced with wood floors and trim to match the original detailing. Due to a combination of age, weather, older detailing and deferred maintenance, siding, beams, and windows at various locations had to be replaced.

The team utilized new made-to-order Heath Ceramics tiles for the bathrooms, staying true to the original material selection. Some pieces were even restored while accommodating a tub-to-shower conversion. One of the most noteworthy design elements of the home are the massive south facing door and window assemblies, with built-in doors and pocket screens. With several pieces of glass spanning 8’ by 12’, the team carefully tackled the onerous task and successfully repaired the frame and glazing in place.

No mid-century modern home would be complete without an indoor-outdoor connection. To expand the existing visual connection to the great room and main bedroom, new IPE decks were added, complementing the minimalist, clean exterior lines. Each deck included a solid vertical wood screen to conceal framing for a solution that minimized the addition, rather than compete with the original design elements.

Through conscientious pre-planning and high-quality craftsmanship, the final product blends seamlessly with the original build. In the end, the owners now enjoy a meticulously restored Fletcher home.

Interior Design: Hether Dunn Design

Exterior Design: MFA | Architecture and Planning

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

Photographers: Spin

It started as a soap factory. Some 60+ years later, this commercial, concrete cube sat unkempt, rotting, and in desperate need of repair. Yet it had a spirit to it, a space well suited for work. So when frequent collaborator Beebe Skidmore Architects invited us to work on this adaptive reuse project—for their own firm— we excitedly agreed, but we had our work cut out for us.

Rather than compete with the existing structure, the approach was respectful of the building’s historical context, while renovating for safety and function as a modern-day office. What was once utility-based construction would become the design inspiration and serve as a reflection of the firm’s architectural approach. That meant preserving and highlighting original features like Douglas Fir rafters with shiplap decking. We opted to replicate the original design and replace the rot from a former roof failure with reclaimed fir from the same era and recurbed the skylights with the material, as well, instead of using new material, concealing, and sheetrocking. Lighting conduit was carefully routed above the roof deck to limit visual clutter on the ceiling, reinforcing the minimalist, utilitarian approach.

Below, large carriage doors and mirrors applied to the plumbing core maintain visual openness. Despite alignment issues, we accurately sited pour-in-place floor boxes within a new heated floor slab and installed insulated perimeter walls faced with homasote to double as pin-up space.

The project, which took home an AIA Oregon Citation Award, reflects high execution of simple exposed details within an imperfect structure. The result is a beautiful, industrial space that both respects its historic roots and reflects the firm’s vision and work.

Architect: Beebe Skidmore Architects
General Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Structural Engineer: Grummel Engineering
Photographer: Jeremy Bittermann / JBSA

On a corner lot in Northeast Portland, the Rodney Street Remodel presents itself impressively with a symmetrical all-brick façade. A keen eye will observe a texture and variation atypical of classic brick structures. The uniformity and balance of the building’s Prairie-style bones are juxtaposed with the clinker bricks that encase the home. Contemporary brick manufacturers no longer produce clinker bricks, which meant salvaging and carefully reinstalling the original bricks, while enhancing and reinforcing the structural integrity of the home and accommodating the kitchen addition.

Beyond the threshold of the front door, many original details are preserved. The multipiece oak base trim and crown molding, as well as the large French rail pocket doors were kept in place and protected through construction. To reconfigure the interior circulation and open the flow between floors, the stairway was relocated and rebuilt while a new large skylight illuminates the central core from above. Modernizations, such as two additional bathrooms and a new kitchen addition bring the 1924 home into the 21st century. The blue cabinetry of the kitchen adds depth and contrasts the old and new wood finishes.

To accommodate additional modern living programming, a porch on the main floor was converted into an enclosed home office and the unfinished basement was waterproofed to become a finished space. It now caters to the homeowner’s active lifestyles with a home gym, yoga space, rec room and sauna - each family member finds room for their own means to restoration.

The project also involved a comprehensive redesign of the landscape, including a new deck connected to an elevated covered “cabana”. The CLT roof with wood-wrapped steel columns creates a year-round outdoor space adjacent to the kitchen addition. Additional outdoor living is found on the rebuilt and refurbished patio off the master bedroom - a peaceful refuge with views into the tree-filled neighborhood.

Designer: Lever Architecture
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Engineer: SCE Engineers
Landscape Design: Lango Hansen
Photographer: Jeremy Bittermann

Remodels take many shapes and forms for various reasons. To meet the needs of the clients, this project became a remodel in the most extreme form. The existing foundation, along with the main floor structure and some of the walls were salvaged and upgraded. The second floor, previously a converted attic, had be upgraded to be habitable and to integrate the large beams that allow that floor to cantilever out from the area below.

By the time the design was finalized, not much remained of the original home, allowing for consistency of finishes across the house. New prefinished Oak floors run through all the rooms, except for bathrooms, which all have new tile floors and contemporary fixtures. White windows and doors are trimless with sheetrock returns and a very minimal base to keep the inside details as clean and simple as possible.

A new addition, to facilitate a larger kitchen and new mudroom, extends towards the rear of the property. The continuous roof line slopes away from the main house and steps down toward the very rear to accommodate a storage space. The new kitchen was designed to the specifications of the owner, an avid chef, but it does not trade appearance for function – custom painted inset cabinetry is capped by a honed Caesarstone countertop with a stainless, multifunction sink, and a matching hood surround floats above the cooktop.

The exterior bears little semblance to the original cottage. It is boldly modern, but not imposing, as the building maintains the two story vernacular of the neighborhood. The second story, by virtue of the structural upgrades outlined above, floats out from the corners with massive windows into each of the upstairs bedrooms. Large sections of glazing contrast with the natural, stained, vertical cedar siding, which provides texture and balance to the overall composition.

In the end, creative reuse of existing elements, not as clearly exhibited as in other remodels, revived a house that by all other measures would appear to be brand new and perfectly built to the needs and vision of the clients.

Architect: Beebe Skidmore Architects
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Jeremy Bittermann

In older houses, it’s common to see a living history of the home and its occupants through the small conversions of porches, attics, and basements into habitable spaces. Over 100+ years old, the Trumbull House exhibited a patchwork of several eras of expansion or alteration, resulting in a layout that sacrificed form to meet the needs of the previous owners.

The primary objective for the remodel was to reset the spaces into a cohesive and functional home for the owners’ growing family, visiting friends, and loved ones. Ivon Street Studio’s design adds just 42 square feet of space, but the expansion allowed the team to redesign the kitchen and master bathroom, creating new access points and connection to the expansive backyard and the new patio. Shifting the staircases to the basement and the upstairs harmonizes the vertical circulation and re-configuring the entire 2nd story with a rebuilt dormer bathroom yields purposeful yet still playful spaces.

The homeowners wanted a home with a functional beauty, marrying their Scandinavian rooted aesthetic with finishes that complimented the original Craftsman elements. New and existing Douglas fir floors and doors received a lye treatment to echo the light color palette found throughout. In the kitchen, the floorboards and joists of the ceiling above were left exposed to show the original bones of the home. The custom, flush, inset cabinetry in the kitchen as well as built-ins in the master bedroom and upstairs napping nook are a nod to the original millwork that remains. A large oak island with maple top anchors life in the kitchen, while a custom soda water tap at the sink blends with the unlacquered brass and chrome elements found throughout the home.

The finished home imparts the priorities and personalities of the homeowners in a space that feels both grounded in the past and ready for the decades of life to be lived.

Designer: Ivon Street Studio
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Schoolhouse

Less than a block from vibrant Mississippi Avenue in the Boise neighborhood is the The Village, Portland’s first purpose built co-living Community. Partnering with operator OpenDoor, OGLLC completed this project in the fall of 2019. A primary goal in the development process of the Michigan co-living community was the creation of communal spaces and sharing resources to lower the per-unit cost of construction – less private space, but more space overall. In turn, these considerations translate into comfortable units at below apartment rent with a dynamic, neighborly living experience. All residents of the co-living community share the four buildings and a connecting outdoor space. As part of the development, the original building on the property, a unique 1890 Craftsman, was renovated to function as a common area featuring an oversized kitchen with two sets of appliances and an expanded dining room to accommodate a collection of large, common tables for small informal uses or large community dinners. Sharing space and developing relationships is at the core of coliving - making the original home the heart of the Community. The three newly constructed buildings fill out the lot and take on the typology of a classic “house” shape with a simple form and gabled roof. The smaller kitchen spaces within these auxiliary households allow residents to interface within their micro-community, but equal access to the other buildings encourages broader interaction, while exposed wood details and floor to ceiling windows create a connection to the outdoors and the surrounding neighborhood.

Architect: Polyphon Architecture & Design

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

Photographer: Built Photo

Our Beech Haus ADU clients began their process imagining a completely new house, but ultimately decided to make use of the existing Tuff Shed garage and reimagine it as an ADU conversion rather than a new build. We value reuse and were delighted the clients saw the personality and potential in the existing structure, which also helped them stay within their budget.

While the walls, roof, and gutters remained, all interior and exterior walls received new finishes and a fresh grind and seal elevated the look of the existing concrete slab floor. Trusses were exposed, creating visual space, and a large glass slider was added where the garage door had been, maximizing light and creating an inviting entrance to the backyard getaway. Ample windows, simple and modern furnishings, and white paint inside and out transformed what was once a dark garage into an airy and light space for the family to enjoy. Our team is proud of the Beech Haus ADU as a testament to the power of stripping down and finding value in existing materials that can be uncovered and showcased.

Designer: Dyer Studio, Inc
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Chris Dibble

The owner of the Unicorn Bakeshop, a master baker, wanted her first brick and mortar location  to be more than a space to sell her wares; she also wanted it be representative of her craft and personality. Baking for years as a hobby, she had a vision and knew what she needed for the space to function. Collaborating with the owner and the architects at Propel Studio, we were able to realize a bakeshop full of personality - a reflection of the characteristics of the cakes, cookies, treats, and their creator.

The bakeshop is located in a newly constructed mixed-use building with a colorful exterior. Our early partnership with the owner and architect allowed us to begin the interior improvements while the shell of the building was simultaneously being completed. This overlap meant extra organization and tighter deadlines, but conversely, the bakeshop could open for business as soon as the building could be occupied. Working in an unfinished space also facilitated efficient implementation of the unique, interior details of the bakeshop. Personalization was important, including distinctive touches of sparkling floor finishes and a custom mural by Ryan Bubnis. Despite some challenges of overlapping building permits and coordinating with the contractor of the building shell, we were able to make this a short and *sweet* project, finishing in under three months. Unicorn Bakeshop now has a bright and colorful space to share tasty treats and a joyful ambiance with their customers.

Architect: Propel Studio
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Carlos Rafael Photography 

Propel Architecture brought us the design for this NE Portland ADU situated in a compact yard. The Stilts ADU was built on a perimeter grid of steel columns (in place of a former dilapidated garage), creating a covered storage/workspace and outdoor living area in the same footprint as the new living space. Sacrificing back yard space is often on the minds of our clients, and this solution had minimal impact on the usable space. The elevated building boasts plenty of natural light and a view of the surrounding trees. Details like the wood stove and salvaged tongue and groove wood floors and ceilings add to the treehouse feel. The simple bath and kitchen, which includes a built-in dining and work table, are compact and sleekly functional.

Architect: Propel Architecture

Engineer: Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

Photographer: Joshua Partee

Rich materials and thoughtful details are the focal point of this elegantly understated design. A lofted master suite is inviting and tranquil with an outsized ocean blue tiled walk-in steam shower. Up and down stairs banks of windows allow abundant natural light in and carry the eye outside, while full-lite french doors with sidelights open to the garden from the dining area, doubling the entertaining space on warm days. Natural-finish woodwork and a gas fireplace lend warmth and coziness to the home while inset tile details, polished concrete floors, delicate sconces, and cable railings provide visual texture.

Architect: Polyphon Architecture

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

Engineer: Horn Consulting Engineers, LLC

Photographer: Built Photo

Our clients build ADUs for a variety of reasons; some want short-term rentals, some long-term rentals, and others need space to house family and guests. In the case of the Clinton Park ADU, the owners planned to live in their ADU and rent out the main house. As a home for two, storage and livability were significant design concerns.

Display shelving and storage incorporated into the stairs to the loft transforms a transitional space into functional space for everyday use, providing a place to display beloved art, books and objects. The closets and pantry are spacious, and the design includes an office nook and utility room. Ceiling heights and materials visually separate the kitchen and bath from the living room. The cedar siding, concrete floors, wood and stainless steel finishes make the space feel clean and modern, while still inviting.

Architect: Polyphon Architecture

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

Engineer: Horn Consulting Engineers, LLC

In less than a week and a half of onsite work, Owen Gabbert LLC helped the Alberta Co-op achieve its goal of creating a more efficient, better designed space with improved flow for customers to shop and checkout. Doing so entailed working within both the existing space and within the tight time constraints. To tackle this challenge, we built much of the casework in advance and created many of the templates off-site for installation immediately after the demo.

In all, the OG LLC team did a complete demo of the existing floors, cash registers, eating bar, wine racks, and soffit, which gave us a clean palate to work with. OG LLC then installed all of the pre-built, custom casework and white countertops. In addition, we hung brand-new lighting and placed LVT flooring that’s both attractive and durable. We then reframed a full soffit that runs the length of the Co-op’s space to clean up the ceiling.

The revamped Albert Co-op is bright and open, complete with white oak, accents of steel, and large windows that let in abundant natural light. The final result is an improved aesthetic and shopping experience – for customers and employees alike.

Architect: Propel Studio

Contractor: Owen Gabbert LLC

Photographer: Josh Partee

The Borthwick Victorian is an ADU that Owen Gabbert LLC built in the existing basement of a late 19^th Century home with a stacked stone foundation and distinct Victorian features to expand the usability of the house and accommodate frequent guests from both sides of the family.

The homeowners wanted to maintain some of the original Victorian style while incorporating modern amenities and design, which ultimately resulted in a remarkable space both in the way that it looks and in the way that it feels. Unlike a traditional basement, the Borthwick Victorian ADU has as much natural light as an upstairs living space, thanks to large south-facing windows and an adjoining sunken patio. Inside, the ADU retains the original stone wall at key moments with custom steel-framed window cutouts. This steel detailing continues through the space in all of the windows and doors to create continuity and sleek, clean lines.

The Borthwick Victorian features several unique design elements that accent the stone wall and new, polished concrete flooring, which has hydronic in-floor heating. The bathroom’s red tile is bright and bold, as is the scalloped white backsplash in the kitchen. All of these features combine to create a genuinely custom space for the homeowners that feels true to its original design while also feeling fresh and new.

Design: Gusto Design Studio

Contractor: Owen Gabbert LLC

The Canyon Drive Poolhouse project stands as a bold example of how old and new construction, traditional and modern, can come together to create a look that’s entirely unique.

When Propel Studio initially introduced the project to us, we were intrigued by the concept the owner brought to the table. As a local structural engineer, the homeowner had more than just a vision; he had the engineering for the addition under control as well. His idea was rooted in functionality for his family, as he wanted to create more recreational space for his kids – but it carried with it a boldness that we admired; he wanted to add a sleek-lined modern element to his traditional-looking home.

We took this concept and built upon it for both form and function, building a rectangular two-story design that features floor-to-ceiling windows above the existing garage. The overhang created by the new family room makes a covered space for the outdoor kitchen that can now be used year-round, while the indoor space brings in abundant natural light that the entire family can use any time of day.

Architect: Propel Studio

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

The Mallory ADU is a small detached house built by Owen Gabbert LLC in collaboration with the homeowners, who wanted a space that their friends and family could feel welcome to stay in. The ADU accomplishes that and more by offering a roughly 500-square-foot dwelling unit thoughtfully laid out to include a kitchen, washer and dryer, compact living area, and a loft.

The owners wanted the unit to feel like an extension of their own home, so they worked closely with Owen Gabbert LLC throughout the design and build process. They even put in some of the work themselves, installing the cabinets and the kitchen backsplash. Owen Gabbert LLC brought Stephanie Dyer in to complete the design work, which can be seen on the outside in the siding selection and unique roof line, and on the inside in the detailed shower tile work, wood accents, and concrete flooring. The finished ADU is a beautiful and simple structure that stands as an extension to the homeowners’ community to visit, relax, and stay a while.

Contractor: Owen Gabbert LLC 

Designer: Dyer Studio, Inc.

Photographer: Spencer Eide

The Old Germantown Remodel primarily consisted of finish work and modernization of a large, custom 1980s-style house located up among the trees in Portland’s West Hills. The homeowner came to us with an idea of what he wanted to do, and with an architect who we had previously worked with. He also had a deadline – the birth of his family’s second child – that we needed to work within. We enthusiastically stepped up to the challenge.

Owen Gabbert LLC elevated the finishes throughout the home to a new level, replacing an older, more organic style with a cleaner and modern aesthetic. To change the feel, we  replaced tiled flooring with modern black slate and installed some of the highest quality cabinetry on the market from Henrybuilt in the kitchen and bathrooms. Owen Gabbert LLC also added a large custom door that leads the homeowners from the kitchen out to the pool deck. By incorporating unique design elements such as Heath tile, high-end finishes, and custom cabinetry, Owen Gabbert LLC was able to bring the family’s vision to life just in time for the family’s new arrival.   

Architect: Jones Architecture
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographers & Stylists: David Papazian

The Lincoln remodel exemplifies how modern design can complement craftsman elements when done thoughtfully. Working with the architects at Beebe-Skidmore, we aimed to do just that. By incorporating contemporary style into this original 1907 craftsman home, we updated the feel of the home without significantly changing the structure itself.

The existing home is quite large, spanning nearly 5,000 square feet over four floors. Therefore, instead of remodeling the outside from top to bottom, we targeted specific areas focusing on opening up the west-facing façade in order to bring in more natural light. By replacing that entire side with modern glass windows and large sliding doors, the house was transformed from dark and traditional to airy and contemporary. This unique element also became the basis for the new upstairs dormer, which now houses a functional workspace for the homeowners. The dramatic change is a statement of style, both inside and out.

The finished product us a unique home that boasts elements of modern style and old-school charm. And while the square footage remains nearly the same, the functionality and quality of the spaces is greatly improved – resulting in a house that is a beautiful new rendition of the original design.

Architect: Beebe Skidmore
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Caitlin Murray

Without a well-defined living or dining room, the primary objective of the Stephens remodel was to develop more intentional space and to increase useable square footage. To that end, Owen Gabbert LLC created a functional living room, moved the kitchen to the back of the house, and built a formal dining area that the family can use for weeknight dinners and dinner parties alike. In addition, a detached office space was added to the back of the home to offer a secure, private area for work.

The homeowners also wanted to incorporate their love of modern design into the existing aesthetic appeal of their 1914 Craftsman-style bungalow. Owen Gabbert LLC helped accomplish this by incorporating open spaces and clean lines into the home’s existing structure. Large windows provide clean lines and bring in a natural light and contemporary brightness that would not otherwise exist in a traditional bungalow. By marrying the modern with the vintage, the Stephens home today looks like a new, 21st century version of its original self.

Architect: Beebe Skidmore
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Caitlin Murray

The Rio Vista home was originally built in 1962. In 2017 Owen Gabbert, LLC completed a full remodel of the house – from top to bottom, inside and out.

Beginning upstairs, we removed the walls and fireplace between the kitchen and the living room in order to allow for an openness and even flow from one room to the next. The remodeled kitchen features the same exposed beams as the living space, along with sleek Myrtlewood cabinets and a patterned black and white back splash. Through these structural changes, we exposed continuous wood beams to accent the living and dining space – and to tie together custom woodworking that frames newly redone windows. Facing north, these windows feature an unobstructed view of Portland’s historic Industrial District.

We continued the custom woodworking down to the basement with a custom floating stairway that leads to newly refinished concrete floors, suited perfectly for the family dog. Consistent with the upstairs, interior walls were eliminated to brighten the space, necessitating complicated, exposed, angular framing with minimalist knife plates. As part of that work, the basement was reoriented to allow maximum space for the owners’ two daughters.

Owen Gabbert LLC continued the woodworking to the exterior of the home, which accents bright hues and clean lines. The finished product is a home that retains its mid-century modern appeal with all of the updates of a brand-new house.

Architect: Celeste Lewis Architecture
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Sally Painter Photography

In order to help create a brand-new space for Hyatt Training, with whom Owen Gabbert LLC has a long time relationship dating back many years, Owen Gabbert LLC employed strategic, smart, cost-effective moves to create changes that felt big without breaking the bank. Engaging and working alongside Sasquatch Architecture, we were involved in nearly every part of the project; from making suggestions on the initial drawings to helping strategize on materials that would cut costs, without cutting style.

The new Hyatt Training space is roughly 4,000 square feet and feels not only much larger, but also much more modern, than the original. A large hemlock wall accents the wooden beams that cut across the ceiling, as well as the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in abundant natural light. Owen Gabbert LLC installed rubber flooring in the primary workout area, alongside turf that adds a pop of brand color. We also installed brand-new locker rooms with reclaimed lockers painted in signature on-brand green that tie the whole space together. The space matches the personalized spirit of the Hyatt Training brand, while offering all the functions and services of a more corporate gym.

Build: Owen Gabbert LLC

Design: Sasquatch Architecture

Walking by the black and red Victorian house off of Mississippi Avenue, you may mistake it for someone’s home, but step inside, and you’ll feel immediately enveloped in Psychic, the area’s hippest neighborhood haunt.

Owen Gabbert LLC remodeled the space focusing on a brand-new layout for both the kitchen and bar area. Psychic features a custom back-bar, bar top, and ceiling. Owen Gabbert LLC also assisted in many of the other elements of the build, from decisions on fixtures and finish hardware, to the expansion of the outdoor seating area to include a new fire pit and covered space for year-round use. The result is a neighborhood bar that serves up innovative cocktails alongside Indian-inspired fare – and a space that’ll truly lift your spirits.  

Contractor: Owen Gabbert LLC 

Photographer: Abby Gordon Photography  

Justa Pasta came to Owen Gabbert LLC asking for a full refresh and revamp of their restaurant, but it came with a tight timeline: the entire remodel needed to be complete within a quick three-week shutdown. We accepted the challenge, and we’re happy we did because the final result is a beautiful restaurant that’s as fresh as the handmade pastas being served up on the daily.   

To start, we engaged Casework, a Portland-based full-service interior architecture and design firm who we felt would help bring the right tone and aesthetic to the project. Working collaboratively, we wiped the slate clean, taking nearly all furniture away, getting rid of all remaining light fixtures from the original buildout 20 years ago, and removing all built-in casework. Left with just the sheetrock and structure of the building, we first refinished the floor, retiled kitchens and eating areas, added new furniture and casework throughout, and repainted the walls.

One of the biggest elements of this project was ensuring that the remodel of Justa Pasta improved the overall flow of the experience for both the restaurant staff and the customers who would eventually dine in the new space. Working with Casework, we blended form and function in both the build and the design elements of the final interior. We think Casework said it beautifully in their recent blog post about the collaboration: “At Casework, our goal for design is to not only be beautiful but also intuitive. We want to inform the customer without overwhelming them with signage so they can make the realization on their own.

One way we achieved this was to open up the area completely. We pushed the once centrally located wine shelf to the wall. It's a beautiful backdrop and one of the first things you see when you walk in the restaurant! The large island helps to create a natural separation. This separation pushes people into a line for ordering and still leaves room for staff to easily deliver plates of food without a million "excuse me's" at a busy lunch service or roped off sections.”

We believe that working with the right partners can help a good project turn into one that’s outstanding, and we’re certain that in this case, working with Casework helped Justa Pasta to reinvent itself in a way that is new and fresh, but still familiar to longstanding customers.

Designer: Casework
Contractor: Owen Gabbert LLC
Photographer: Carly Diaz

Opened in September, 2016, Dame is a restaurant and wine bar located in the Northeast Killingsworth area of Portland; Owen Gabbert, LLC assisted in reinventing and remodeling it from the inside out. 

The building itself had been home to many restaurants before Dame, so Owen Gabbert, LLC worked to fully transform the space, working closely with the designer and owners. We rebuilt the bar from the ground up, and moved it from its original location in order to offer more space for both the customers at the bar and the bartenders behind it. Owen Gabbert, LLC installed custom oak shelves, as well as custom paneling, around the bar to give it a classic but updated look. 

Not content to focus strictly on the front of house, we redid both bathrooms, and fully reinvented the private dining room with paneling and dark hardwood floors to offer an inviting, but intimate area for small groups. Finally, we added new wallpaper, a banquet, antique mirrors in the main room and all new mid-century modern lighting throughout. 

Designer: Made & State
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Thomas Teal

When NKT Photonics, a high-performance fiber laser supplier, relocated from Lake Oswego to North Portland, Owen Gabbert LLC was hired to build out their new multiuse space, which includes a functional office and a small area for research, design, and manufacturing. This brand-new office also has all new flooring and lighting, both of which complement the bright natural light, wooden beams, and industrial touches that the building itself offers.

Working with architect Michael Flowers and designer ‘ctrl+shift+space’, we built out an office space with a shared workspace containing several desks that’s conducive to an integrated work environment, as well as a conference room for meetings and phone conferences, and several closed offices. In addition, a small kitchenette with a dining table suited for six offers a quiet place to sit down with a cup of hot coffee or takeout with the team. Last but not least, Owen Gabbert LLC built out a clean room for NKT to use when creating specialized prototypes – making this new location a great blend of digital and literal product creation.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect
Designer: ctrl+shift+space
Contractor: Owen Gabbert LLC
Photographer: Sally Painter Photography

Owen Gabbert, LLC was initially engaged by Schoolhouse Electric to manage a complicated electrical service upgrade that required careful coordination with building occupants and the adjacent railroad. Subsequently, we were asked to evaluate and execute the factory expansion into the previously storage focused 4th floor. Working in a full service capacity as both construction manager and design-build general contractor, Owen Gabbert, LLC helped realize the company and building owner’s vision for the new spaces, while concurrently directing a highly involved permit process and factory equipment install. Careful curation of the existing building’s historic aesthetic was balanced against the need for improved functionality in the form of new lighting, sound wall partitions, and poplar clad breakout rooms that accentuate the exposed timber and masonry structure.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect
Designer: Schoolhouse Electric (Brian Faherty)
Construction Management: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Aaron Hewitt

Operating under a design-build contract, Owen Gabbert, LLC partnered with Michael Flowers to transform a vacant office space into the Steelcase Portland Innovation Center. In addition to completely rethinking the lighting, finishes, and kitchen, we managed an extensive furniture install process, as the office became home to a variety of Steelcase components. LED lighting, designer carpet tiles, and a custom bike rack glazing system accentuate the character of the existing masonry building.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect
Designer: Steelcase
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Aaron Hewitt

Owen Gabbert, LLC conceived of the third unit in the backyard of the Mississippi Duplex as a way to maximize underutilized space, add density without demolition, and engage the alley. In addition to arranging the financing, we led and managed a complex permitting process, before completing construction as the general contractor. Throughout the project we implemented green strategies and features into a design that blends architectural history with modern technology.

We see this unit as a case study for projects that front the alleys that run through multiple Portland neighborhoods, rather than turning away, in an effort to explore alternative forms of infill and density inspired by Laneway Houses in Vancouver.

Development Team: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Designer: Kai Yonezawa
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Engineer: Madden & Baughman
Finance Partner: Albina Community Bank
Photographers & Stylists: Kate Richard & Jenny Trygg

Rudy’s barbershop opened its doors in 1993, expanding on the longstanding tradition of a neighborhood barbershop by creating an environment of carefully curated art, great music and a sense of community. Rudy’s immediately met success, and has grown extensively since its humble beginnings in the early 90s.

After designing and building multiple Rudy’s locations in Seattle, Mallet, Inc. was tasked with taking on the project management for the Rudy’s expansion. Their first item on the to-do list was to find a qualified Portland contractor to partner with; a past client referred them to us, and we all connected immediately.

Owen Gabbert, LLC helped coordinate an architect of record and provided pre-construction services to facilitate a quick, efficient turnaround from design to construction, before completely renovating the new Rudy’s space on north Mississippi.

To fit the Rudy’s design aesthetic, we designed and installed a large reclaimed wood partition wall, a one-quarter-plate steel shelf with an integrated clipper rail and a traditional tile wainscot. Walk into this new space today, and you’ll notice updated paint, lighting and casework, all of which augment the existing brick walls and wood floors, while a custom mural wraps around multiple walls. The result is a modern and sophisticated space that harkens back to barbershops of days past.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect
Designer: Mallet, Inc., Rudy's
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

Built in 1971, this ranch house remained relatively unchanged in its 40 year existence. Owen Gabbert, LLC helped the new owners acquire the home, coordinated and participated in the design process, and ultimately remodeled the existing home and built an attached ADU in the backyard. To modernize the home, both in feel and function, existing partition walls between the living room and kitchen were removed, the garage shrank to accommodate a laundry room and a larger, reoriented, open kitchen with an island. Careful consideration was made for aging in place, so ADA standards were considered throughout. On the outside, existing T1-11 plywood siding, originally used as both a structural and finish material, was covered with 1” of rigid insulation to improve the energy performance and dark stained tongue and groove cedar siding to improve the appearance. Colorful accents and new landscaping/hardscaping complement the house.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Engineer: WDY
Finance Partner: Bank of the Cascades
Photographers & Stylists: Kate Richard & Jenny Trygg

Completed in conjunction with the Commercial House remodel, this ADU is intended to help offset the monthly mortgage, offer accommodations for future live-in care, and add density to the increasingly popular Mississippi neighborhood in Portland, without tearing down existing homes or overly imposing on the neighbors. Given the compact nature of the home, ceiling height, light, and simplicity were emphasized. Natural light comes in from all sides through large windows and the structural material is the finished floor at each level. The 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom unit is spacious enough to feel comfortable and private enough to feel personal. A patio opens to the south and the unit can be accessed from the alley behind or the street in front via a path to the north of the house. The unit blends with the existing house by virtue of matching siding and windows, but differentiates itself through it’s vertical orientation – just tall enough to see over the house, but barely noticeable from the street.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Engineer: WDY
Finance Partner: Bank of the Cascades
Photographers & Stylists: Kate Richard & Jenny Trygg

As a fast-growing company, Empirical needed to quickly expand into a much larger space in the Eastbank Commerce Center. After working successfully with the building owner on a different tenant improvement, Owen Gabbert, LLC was referred to Empirical to provide timely assistance to ready the new space prior to their move.

We worked closely with one of the principles at Empirical, a former architect, and developed a system of custom OSB clad, canted, glazed conference rooms that contrast the existing concrete and metal shell. Curved walls and LED lighting are visible from the nearby highway and provide a modern balance to the historic building.

Designer: Empirical (Gregg Sloan)
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographers: Kate Richard & Jenny Trygg

With a growing family, the homeowners of this project knew that they wanted to incorporate more functional space into their living area. The challenge was that the only empty space to work with was the original garage, which had been rendered unnecessary by an earlier, separate garage addition. However, when the homeowner and Owen Gabbert LLC looked at the fact that the garage itself connected directly to a recently redone kitchen, it became obvious that turning that less-than-ideal space into a family room was actually going to make for the ideal remodel.  

Owen Gabbert LLC began by removing the old slab from the garage floor and reframing it. Polished, dyed concrete slab with electric radiant heat was installed to make the space even more warm and welcoming. In collaboration with the owner and Mike Flowers, Owen Gabbert LLC created a family room with custom cabinets, CVG fir sliding doors that open onto a large private deck, and a custom shiplap wood ceiling.

Today, the finished family room is bright and open, and the space ties the entire home together. Most important of all, the Vista Sunroom is now central gathering place for the entire family to enjoy together.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographers & Stylists: Kate Richard & Jenny Trygg

The Karuna Consortium project, located on the third floor of the Karuna West Building, is an example of minimalist style and attention to detail.

Owen Gabbert, LLC worked to tailor this space to the needs of its owner, who requested private, but expansive office spaces, custom cabinetry and refined, reclaimed wood accents. Working with Holst Architecture, we set out to create a space with clean lines and details that augment the building’s original and unique architecture. To achieve this goal, Owen Gabbert, LLC used reclaimed hardwood pallet material from Viridian for the floors and paneling. We installed custom door and window assemblies next to existing structural wood glulams and intentionally created a reveal between them and the baseboards, to create a beautiful shadow line throughout the space. Vibrant laminate cabinets with an exposed birch plywood edge were chosen to give the office a hint of modern brightness and color while maintaining the true look of the quality material. The result of careful attention to detail is an office that is as beautiful as it is unique. 

Architect: Holst Architecture
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographers & Stylists: Jenny Trygg & Kate Richard 

Oddfellows, an award-winning creative studio specializing in design and animation originally based out of San Francisco, chose One North to be the location of their Portland outpost. For this office space, Oddfellows took about a quarter of the third floor of the Karuna West building and requested a clean, open and simple floor plan with just the essentials.

Owen Gabbert, LLC worked with the landlord and the folks at Oddfellows to create a workspace that joins form and function while allowing the beauty of the building to speak for itself – all on a tight budget. Exposed wood beams anchor the space, neutral tones of white and gray provide subtle accents throughout, and natural light permeates through west facing windows. The office is equipped with large worktables, a kitchen, a dining table and a Ping-Pong table for afternoon matches. The layout includes only one enclosed space, but provides maximum flexibility for growth and use.

Architect: Michael Flowers | Architect 
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographers & Stylists: Jenny Trygg & Kate Richard

The SW 66th remodel began as a house firmly rooted in the design aesthetic of the 1980s, with heavily textured ceilings, a closed-off living room, and aging floors. Owen Gabbert, LLC approached this remodel in two phases in order to turn this 80s-style house into a classic home suited to fit its new owners.

The homeowners moved from Texas to Portland, and came with a clear vision of the classic design they wanted their home to embody. They also had a time constraint due to their recent arrival, and wanted to move in as swiftly as possible. This presented a challenge that Owen Gabbert, LLC worked hard to overcome, which we did successfully through creative problem solving and phased project delivery.

Phase one included the comprehensive work of replacing all of the home’s floors, repainting the entire space, and smoothing out the outdated popcorn ceilings as well as targeted structural work at the kitchen and living room. Several walls were removed in order to open up the space, and to create a sense of fluidity between rooms. Owen Gabbert, LLC redid the kitchen from the studs out, adding an island, moving the sink, placing brand-new cabinets with brass fixtures, and redoing the windows for brightness and functionality.

In phase two, Owen Gabbert, LLC tackled the master bathroom, turning an outdated space into a classic room for relaxation. The new master shower has walls clad entirely in a classic tile, and brass accents that provide continuity from room to room. A large skylight and matching glass shower doors provide an air of openness, while finishing touches of brass light fixtures and tandem sinks in a marble vanity top perfectly balance functionality with elegance.

In all, the SW 66th home now embodies a clean and classic style that is perfectly suited to its new owners.

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Architect: gen architects (CJ Shumate)
Photographer: Greg Kozawa Photography

The original Rejuvenation showroom, located on Portland’s East side, offers unique shopping grounds for locals and visitors alike to find new, retro, antique, and period lighting and fixtures. In addition, Rejuvenation is now home to a remodeled café that offers counter-service Italian-American fare. Figlia Americana provides a bright and vibrant space for those shopping (or those just stopping by) to sit down and relax with a good meal in good company.

Owen Gabbert, LLC worked with Figlia owner-operators, Staicoff Design Company, and Rejuvenation staff to turn the existing space into the finished Figlia Café. The remodel entailed fully redoing the kitchen space, adding a new tile accent wall and Rejuvenation shelving that provides a functional focal point, installing brand-new countertops and a custom ordering counter, while showcasing modern lighting fixtures provided by Rejuvenation throughout.

Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC

Designer: Staicoff Design Company 

Situated on an alley in the converted B3 garage, the Owen Gabbert, LLC office blends simplicity of design with the efficiency of a live/work environment. Designed collaboratively, OSB walls and polished concrete floors provide the backdrop for hacked Ikea desks in an open office and a compact bathroom. Members of the admin and development teams occupy the office with another local business owner. A transparent glazed garage door lets sunlight in and promotes community interaction with bikers, dog walkers, and neighbors, expanding on the alley engagement created by the original B3 construction.

Development Team: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Designer: Kai Yonezawa
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographers & Stylists: Kate Richard & Jenny Trygg

The Edlund project is near and dear to our heart, as the homeowners have been longtime friends of Owen Gabbert, LLC. For this home, two objectives were top priority: provide more space for a growing family, and complete previously unfinished elements of the home with personalized designs. 

With this remodel, the Edlund home went from a two-bedroom, one-bath, to a three-bedroom, three-bath with a large family room. On the main floor, Owen Gabbert, LLC expanded the space of the home by enlarging an existing bedroom into a new master suite with a vaulted ceiling, wood paneling, a master closet and doors that look out into the back yard. The master suite also includes a custom bathroom with a furniture-style vanity, brand-new shower with large format subway tile, frameless shower door, and black accents made from the same stone as the countertops. 

In order to further expand and maximize space, Owen Gabbert, LLC converted the existing and new basement area a family room, bedroom, and bathroom. Instead of building up, we brought the exterior grade down to the basement level to create a private patio with multiple large windows and doors to bring in natural light. The new daylight basement, with finished concrete floors and doors that lead out to a patio, provides a perfect space for kids, dogs, friends and family to enjoy.  

Designer: Dyer Studio Inc
Engineer: Madden & Baughman Engineering, Inc
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photography: Kate Richard & Jenny Trygg

Undertaking a remodel on your own, particularly of your kitchen, can be a harrowing experience. Recognizing the peril of the task at hand, this client contracted Owen to complete pre-construction and course of construction consulting, including plan analysis, subcontractor recommendation, bid review, and project scheduling.  By engaging Owen Gabbert, LLC early in the process to identify and address potential issues, the homeowner was able to act as his own contractor and complete the project on budget and ahead of schedule, with impressive results.

Designer: Michael Flowers Architect
Construction Consulting: Owen Gabbert, LLC

This compact condo was completely rethought and rebuilt. Anchored by an extensive system of built-ins designed by the architect, this comprehensive remodel included a complete reorientation of the kitchen. The sink and stove were both shifted to maximize the natural light from a large sliding glass door, and an existing wall was removed to create an open feel along with significant casework in the living room and bedrooms. In addition to revamping the finishes in every room, Owen Gabbert, LLC also brainstormed solutions and resolved long-term shifts in the building structure using a suspended ceiling and a Wedi board system for the floor that brought both into alignment.

Architect: Celeste Lewis Architecture
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Sally Painter Photography

The Commissary hand crafts syrups and juices for individuals, events, and bar use. Located in a previously unfinished space in the bottom floor of the newly renovated Eastside Exchange building, the Commissary required significant in slab work to provide sufficient plumbing infrastructure for the production facility.

Careful consideration was also required to meet Oregon Department of Agriculture food safety requirements in a simple, budget conscious way. Century old wood had to be wrapped carefully in vinyl backed paper to ensure there would be no contamination of the ingredients.

After evaluating several other spaces with the owners, Owen Gabbert, LLC was hired to complete the build.

Designer: Scott Edwards Architecture (Sara Ruzomberka)
Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
Photographer: Dina Avila