True to Belluschi

Westwind Farm, one of the celebrated Portland architect's last homes, undergoes a historically sensitive kitchen remodel.

When Maryellen McCulloch looks out the windows of her home in Portland’s West Hills, she sees a natural landscape. “I love the quiet and contrasts here,” she says. “We can be swarmed by hummingbirds or see elk standing in the meadow, but we’re also close to town.”

The three-bedroom, three-bath passive solar house she shares with her husband, Michael, and their children, Elena, 11, and Thomas, 10, was purchased in 2002 from its original owners. Their home has a historic pedigree: It was the second-to-last home built by celebrated Portland architect Pietro Belluschi. “Pietro put things together in a masterful way,” says Michael, the principal at Michael McCulloch Architecture, who knew and worked with Belluschi. “The house incorporates a lot of his principles. It’s understated. It’s part Japanese, part Scandinavian and part Northwest agricultural. He was very influenced by the materials found in the local environment.”

By combining the kitchen’s original footprint with upgrades such as earth-toned granite countertops, new shelving and custom maple cabinetry, Michael and Maryellen McCulloch gained a light, bright kitchen that fits their family’s lifestyle.	Vaulted ceilings, aged wood paneling, and the clean lines of midcentury furniture give the home a warm, open feel. The large painting over the fireplace is by Pacific Northwest artist Sherrie Wolf.	The home is nestled in the center of the property on an east-west axis. “The slope of the roof is almost the same as the land,” says Michael. The home’s eaves prevent the summer sun from overheating the interior but allow the winter sun in for warmth. Photos by Paula Watts Click images to view larger