28 Thurman
Located in the Willamette Heights neighborhood of Portland at the corner of NW 28th and NW Thurman, 28Thurman is a residential development focused on enhancing the experience of living in the city.
The 14,764-square-foot building features five modern townhome-style residential units, complete with EV-ready garages and private rooftop terraces. The unique design and location of the project combines the best of Portland: convenient access to the city, transportation, and the trails of Forest Park, yet within a quiet neighborhood with great schools.
Notably, each unit features a ground floor finished flex space, one of which is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). The other four units’ spaces can be transformed into a bedroom, retail, or office space.
The complex is located within easy walking distance of retail and restaurants (with a Walk Score of 97), the project is all-electric, and EV and solar-ready.
The building isn’t your typical, repetitive residential unit complex. Individual units—ranging in size from 2,386-square-feet to 2,704-square-feet—are clearly delineated from the outside, yet the design intentionally creates a sense of a single, cohesive structure. 28Thurman’s form responds to its urban context, fosters a sense of community, and breaks away from the small-scale monotony of more typical townhome buildings.
Care and creativity was required to maximize buildable area on the incredibly tight 6,300-square-foot property, which is essentially the size of a large single-family residential lot in other parts of the city. 28Thurman reinforces the pedestrian experience with live/work space, small landscaped setbacks, and entry alcoves along Thurman.
Above, the living rooms and primary bedrooms feature floor-to-ceiling window walls with large sliding glass doors opening to balconies running the entire length of the building, blurring the line between inside and outside and extending the livable space. The sawtooth composition of the facade focuses views to both the west hills and Forest Park, maximizing connections to the landscapes beyond. Dedicated, expansive roof decks on the upper most level offer residents additional opportunity for relaxation, socializing, and direct connection to outdoor space.
The exterior is composed of dark stucco, cedar siding, black metal panel detailing glass guardrails, and aluminum clad wood windows. Exterior finishes were selected for color and texture, complimenting each other and highlighting the places people occupy. Interior finishes include white oak floors and cabinetry throughout, Caesarstone counters and textured tile, for a neutral pallet inspired by natural materials.
The building’s design serves as a prototype for dense, multifamily housing on typical Portland-sized lots. It demonstrates a way to develop housing that's sensitive to the environment, prioritizes pedestrians over cars, and celebrates the rich opportunities of urban living.
