Design Week Portland: DOMESTIC showhouse

Preview: Block 90 Penthouse

Tucker loves his new home-  more photos soon!

PRESS: About Face Magazine

The print edition of About Face mag's Winter '13 edition hit the newsstands yesterday.  Find Fig. on pages 42 & 43 as part of their interior design feature!

ON THE BOARDS: Goldendale Residence

Fig. Studio is excited to share a rendering and plans for a project slated to start construction this spring.  Located in rural Goldendale Washington, the project takes its cues from the dry high desert landscape and beautiful vistas of the surrounding property and Mt. Hood.

 The owners, a Portland couple with a love for fishing and the outdoors, called on us to transform their existing vacation home into a full time residence.  The design was to be creative, functional and responsive to its unique site.  The Fig. designed addition consists of two bedrooms, one bath and a new living room.  The new layout provides privacy from the main house, while creating a large protected courtyard that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

The courtyard location was a key element to this design as the owners wanted to enjoy the outdoor landscape while remaining sheltered from the strong winds the site experiences throughout the year.  The courtyard features both a corten steel fireplace and and an open fire pit perfect for roasting marshmallows and grilling pizza.  Glass wind screens shelter seating areas and allow for multiple layers of protection on particularly gusty days.  

Slated for completion in the fall of 2013, our clients are looking forward to sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the sunset over the Columbia River Gorge from the comfort of their new outdoor living space.

Portland Bazaar 2012

Don't miss the 2012 Portland Bazaar!  Locally crafted goods always fit perfectly under the tree.

Tsunami Memorial

After following news reports focusing on tsunami debris washing ashore on the Oregon Coast, the Japanese dock on Agate Beach in particular, we began to understand the unique and important opportunity presented to Oregon citizens:  transform these debris into something important.  Make something beautiful.  Create Place.

Fueled by a newfound connection to what was viewed as rubbish by many, we developed a conceptual memorial design. We presented it to both the City of Newport and the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, with hopes of spurring a dialogue and ultimately the construction of a memorial.

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Now is the time to think big.  The Japanese dock has captured Oregon's imagination. As an object, it has transcended its original purpose, and now embodies Oregon's relationship, both culturally and seismically with our Japanese neighbors.  I suggest that we rally our fellow Oregonians to build a memorial worthy of Japan's resilience and grace in the face of disaster, a disaster that could have just as easily befallen our shores.

No memorial of a significant size or distinction has been created in the United States to commemorate the Japanese Tsunami. By providence, the dock made landfall in Newport. Therefore, it seems practically pre-destined that Newport be home to this memorial. 

Click here to view the design concept in its entirety

If you’re interested in becoming part of the dialogue contact The City of Newport. 

Postcard: Jardin Majorelle

By Jenny Guggenheim


Fall is looking suspiciously like summer here in Portland, so I decided I'd stick to that theme and take you on a pictorial tour from my recent visit to Yves Saint Laurent's private paradise, Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech.  The lush and fragrant flora are in stark contrast to the parched and dusty landscape found just outside the garden wall.