Division Street Residence, This unique home is the poster child of adaptive reuse. Starting with a property that intermingled three buildings from different periods over the last century, Emerick Architects crafted a strategy to reuse the structure, adding a penthouse and a roof garden to create an urban oasis and a highly energy-efficient home. Marrying practicality with craftsmanship, almost everything for the project was handmade locally by Portland artisans including cabinetry, steel work, railings, doors, stairs, light fixtures, and plaster.
Photography: Lincoln Barbour
Relocated from New York, the clients wanted a dwelling inspired by the authenticity and rawness of commercial buildings combined with the warmth and beauty of an elegantly crafted custom home.  The context of their chosen neighborhood?mixed-income and use, small-scale streets, and an existing blend of commercial and residential?was the perfect backdrop for this building and a city planner?s goal of denser living. Photography: Lincoln Barbour
The project started with a dilapidated 1920?s warehouse occupying a quarter block.  The concept that emerged was to recycle this base building into a fortress-like box supporting an airy and contemporary penthouse above.  While this allowed for privacy, garden space, and expansive views for the residents, it also introduced a fascinating tension to the project through contrast.  This became an organizing element in the design and is central to every part of th...