Craftsman Style Homes: Portland’s Architectural Heritage

The Arts and Crafts movement began in England, but the offshoot Craftsman style thrived in Portland. Early in the 20th century, Portland was booming! That’s apparent today thanks to the abundance of Craftsman-style homes here.
It was a time when, Portland’s population skyrocketed. By 1920, the city had more than doubled in size, with new neighborhoods from Concordia to Irvington and Sunnyside popping up.

Portland was quickly building homes and most often that meant building in the Craftsman style, with some local twists. Local builders adapted the movement to fit the region’s particular climate, materials and cultural influences. These homes are a defining feature of the city today.

Portland’s cool, rainy climate required specific adaptations to home design. One of the most defining features of Craftsman homes here is the use of large, expansive windows. These windows flood home interiors with natural light, as much as there is to be had in Portland, anyway. And deep roof overhangs allowed light to enter while keeping the rain at bay.

Another hallmark of Portland’s Craftsman homes is the expansive, sheltered porch that served as a transitional space between the outdoors and indoors. These deep porches, often with protective eaves, provided a space for outdoor living despite the rain.

One of the hallmarks of the Craftsman movement is the use of natural, local materials. Builders took full advantage of the abundant natural resources found in the Pacific Northwest.

Native hardwoods like fir, cedar, and oak were commonly used. These woods not only created a warm and inviting aesthetic, but their rich grains were often showcased in exposed beams, paneling, and built-in furniture. The beauty of the wood was highlighted throughout the homes, contributing to their rustic, yet refined charm.

Many Craftsman style homes in Portland looked to Japan for inspiration. Japanese design emphasizes simplicity and natural beauty, which were core values of the Arts and Crafts and Craftsman movements. This concept influenced designers who sought to emphasize handcrafted, unique objects rather than mass-produced, uniform items. It sought to reject the overly ornate and industrialized designs that dominated the Victorian era in favor of clean lines, functional forms, and an appreciation for craftsmanship and natural materials.

In Japanese architecture, there is a strong emphasis on the connection between the indoors and outdoors and in the hilly parts of the city, that concept was fully embraced.

Many Craftsman homes were built in more urban settings too. Built-in furniture—like bookcases, benches, and cabinets—was another defining feature, creating a harmonious and efficient interior. Made from the same native hardwoods, these elements added both style and practicality, echoing the Arts and Crafts movement’s focus on decorative beauty.

Portland’s Craftsman homes are not just a reflection of the national trends of the time, they are uniquely tied to the city’s natural beauty and continue to stand as a testament to the boomtime that shaped Portland’s architectural landscape.