The Watzek House Made Way For Modern Pacific Northwest Style

The Watzek House in Portland Oregon is a piece of art meant to be part of the landscape instead of imposing on it.

The Watzek House
Photo via Wikipedia. CC3.

One of Oregon's 17 National Landmarks sits in the southwest hills above Portland and is credited with paving the path for the unique modern architectural style of the Pacific Northwest. The Watzek House was finished in 1937 and became an instant icon for new bold regional interpretations of the Modernist movement.

Making The Watzek House Part Of The Landscape Instead Of Imposing On It

 

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The Watzek house was designed by John Yeon when he was 26 years old for the lumber baron Aubrey Watzek and his mother.

 

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The home sits on 3.62 acres in the southwest hills of Portland and had magnificent views of Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood and the Tualatin Valley.

 

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Today some of those views have been blocked by trees that have grown up since the home was finished in 1937.

 

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When Yeon designed the house he wanted to make the house part of the landscape instead of imposing on it.

The home features large windows to view nature, modern doorknobs, gorgeous paneling and trim, courtyards and covered porches, a large living room with a view of Mount Hood, a library, two servant's bedrooms, five bathrooms, two formal bedrooms, and a guest room, a kitchen and pantry, and a large basement.

 

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You can learn more about the Watzek house in Portland Oregon and see more photos of the interior here.

 

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Have you taken a tour of the historic Watzek house before? Share your photos with us in a comment.