Portland Built is an expansion of the Live/Work project, with a broader focus on art, architecture, design, and business. We’re still keeping an entire section dedicated to the Live/Work project (and accessory dwelling units), but the new site will include some exciting new topic areas and features.

Some of the new things you’ll find at Portland Built include:

• Profiles of innovative businesses in the Portland area.
• Several sections of the site dedicated to green and sustainable building practices, products, and strategies.
• Video and time lapse photography!
• A new gallery section including Live/Work progress updates.
• Great imagery (and more of it than ever before!)

Live/Work site has seen an incredible amount of growth in the past year, particularly considering how little I’ve done to promote it. So, if you are a new reader or a longtime follower, THANK YOU for your continued interest and support. Head on over to Portland Built and enjoy some great new content!

Oh, and before I forget – once you’re at the new site, update your bookmarks, RSS Readers, and so forth. You can now find me on twitter as well: @shawnbusse

Cheers!

For those of you who’ve been following along, it’s been a real treat sharing this process over the last year and a half. As of today, I’m officially abandoning the live/work project. putting things on hold while I look at all options. The climate is wrong, the banks aren’t willing to meet us halfway, and the entire process is…well, just exhausting. I could go on and on about things I’d do differently, frustrations with the industry, or the unrealistic expectation the city has for the ADU program.

But for now, I won’t. Instead, I’ll just say thanks to those who deserve it.

Bench made from concrete and reclaimed fir from an old pickle barrel.

One idea is to separate the light from fan function. Here’s an example of what we’re doing in the ADU bedroom: lights mounted on top of the closet “wash” the ceiling with light. Nice and indirect, you can still use less expensive industrial fans (click on the image for a larger view).

One of the things that’s great about this graphic is that it shows the sustainable nature of accessory units. These additional units allow families to stay on their property, even as housing needs change over the years. Rather than selling the house as children move in (or out), the family can simply move in (or out) of the accessory unit.

Take a look at Ryan’s website, along with his full proposal here.

There’s a real movement afoot to design sophisticated “sheds” as part of the back yard. These range from small, functional buildings to elaborate artist’s spaced and spare bedrooms. Here are just a few great examples.

Milton Studio, by Timber Design Limited:

Check out the interior!

You can also find some additional resources at the website Shedworking. For the ambitious DIYer, check out Readymade Magazine. They’ve got a new issue for FREE online viewing. You can see all sorts of great designs, and even buy a shed-kit!

A few US-based sources:

Moderncabana

Metro Shed

Modern Shed

I’m just as guilty as the next person – there are a few rooms in my house with the ass-ugly venetian blinds. If I had my way, I’d replace them all tomorrow. Eric over at Longhouse has found a nice modern solution from Ikea. Take a look: