Knot Studio’s dedication to the client’s vision rendered a design that shows how sustainable landscape design and architecture can work harmoniously to meet artistic and functional goals, inspiring a new and beneficial aesthetic within its neighborhood.
The Plum Circle Residence showcases a seamless fusion of regional plantings with ultra-modern hardscape elements that deliver a cohesive design statement. Design features include a rich array of Northwest plantings that offer the homeowner dramatic views of an ever-evolving landscape. Hardscape design elements, such as concrete planters and beautifully designed pavers, work harmoniously with a major mid-century Modern home renovation in Southwest Portland. The design reflects a dedication by the client and the Knot Studio design team to showcase the highest levels of sustainability.
In the Plum Circle project, sustainability goals also translated to the need to address a significant issue for Portland residences – the abundance of Juniper shrubs. A pivotal decision to remove large amounts of Juniper to clear the way for sustainable plantings signaled the need to address the issue of fire safety where dense Juniper once flourished. The importance of the Juniper removal was highlighted by the fact that millions of acres of forests burned in the summer of 2020, and Junipers posed, then and now, a significant fire threat to denser city neighborhoods.
Los Angeles architect Cory Buckner, famed for her mid-century modern restoration projects, delivered a re-design with large, north-facing windows that bathe the interior with natural light while also affording the resident’s viewpoints that take in the rich array of plantings.