W.L. Construction collaborates to reimagine a unique home in Lebanon.
It takes a team to execute a complex remodel — and how this team was formed is interesting, to say the least.
The homeowners are longtime residents of Lebanon, Oregon, and are family friends of architect Tim Richard of JTRA Architecture + Design, who was raised in Lebanon and now resides in Portland. The two parties had been toying with the idea of a major renovation for years, and when it started to look like it would become a reality, W.L. Construction was brought on board. With that, the team was formed and the stage set and more.
“One of the fun things on this one was that we’re in Corvallis, the architect is in Portland and the home is in Lebanon,” says Lars Campos, who co-owns W.L. Construction with his wife, Cressa. “But it all just gelled really well, and the whole project turned out wonderfully.”
“I think a large part of this story is the collaboration,” says Cressa. “We aim to make an inclusive experience that really works for our clients and makes their vision a reality.”
The nature and scope of this project meant it was best approached as a multiphase endeavor. Phase one was completed in 2019 and consisted of adding a full primary-suite addition and remodeling the rest of the living space, save the kitchen.
The remodel portion entailed the removal of a dominating 6-foot-by-10-foot stone fireplace in the dining area; in its place, the team added a coffered ceiling flanked by two islands that define the new space. The homeowners also wanted to create a sunken living room in the house. To do that, W.L. Construction demolished the existing space, then shaved off about 20 inches of the concrete foundation. They also installed heated concrete floors stained a warm red. Where once there had just been a handful of windows, the new living room was opened up with lots of windows that run almost the entire length from floor to ceiling — especially nice considering the home’s view east toward the Cascades. All are trimmed with clear vertical-grain fir, with a running trim throughout the home that ties it all together. The addition of uplights, soffit lights and other lighting details also helped open up the space.
“The lighting is sophisticated yet serves to add warmth to the space,” Cressa says.
For the primary-suite addition, W.L. Construction worked closely with Richard to create a new space off one side of the single-story home. They blew out a wall, creating a sort of gallery at the end of a hallway that leads into the master suite. The new space encompasses the master bedroom with a large closet, two private office spaces, heated concrete floors to match the living room and a primary bath with a custom shower.
The first phase of the project also remodeled the home’s workout room and laundry area, which now has a unique dog-washing station for the family’s furry companion.
The second phase was a garage and entry addition completed in 2021.
The third phase of the remodel, a full kitchen redo, is now in the works as well. Lars says the project will revamp the kitchen in much the same way the rest of the house has been tended to, with the same elements — wood trim, lighting accents and more — woven in.
“The kitchen we are doing now is kind of all of those things on a smaller scale,” he says, “so that the end result, after six years of work, will see the original scope and vision complete. And it wouldn’t have happened without a true team effort, communication and trust.”
