You know the difference between east and west, but how does an architect see it? We asked James Dixon, who has opened an office in Portland's Pearl District while maintaining his venerable New York office, to compare residential design here and there.

But first, a bit about the architect.

Dixon, whose family lives in Northwest Portland's Hillside neighborhood, jumped right into Design Week Portland events, which continue through Saturday, April 29. He attended Monday's seminar on the proposed Green Loop, a 6-mile path for pedestrians and bicycles that connects the Pearl District, Portland State University and South Waterfront to Rose Quarter and the Lloyd District.

"Many of the key players for this visionary project were there, and they shared their perspectives on how the project would impact different parts of the city," he says. "Portland's continued ability to 'dream big' is what makes it such a vibrant and livable city."





Since opening James Dixon Architect PC in 1999, Dixon's firm has received eight design awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). His projects throughout the United States, Canada and Europe range from historic farm houses to modern pool pavilions, according to his bio.

The renovation of the Old Chatham Residence in New York's Hudson Valley included installing a repurposed barn frame in the kitchen and a custom steel truss bridge that links the master suite with the rest of the house. The project received an AIA Design Award.

Another project, the Litchfield Pavilion pool complex in rural New England, has a custom-designed timber frame built with reclaimed wood. Steel and glass doors open the building on three sides and a large screened porch frames views of the countryside. The project received an AIA Design Excellence Award.

Of interest to owners of multifamily housing: Dixon has renovated more than three dozen apartments in Manhattan. A dark and isolated kitchen in a Madison Avenue apartment now opens to an informal dining area, and tiny bathrooms were transformed with a design that included a series of passages that improved the flow and draw in natural light.

Can an East Coast approach translate to the Portland metro area?

Sure, says Dixon, who earned his bachelor of architecture degree at the University of Oregon then a graduate diploma from the Architectural Association in London before dedicating nearly 20 years of designing homes and apartments in Manhattan and New England.

Now, the married father of two is back in Oregon, talking about regulatory requirements he's experienced on both coasts.

"It's no surprise that working in Manhattan can be a logistical nightmare," Dixon says. His projects needed approvals from such agencies as NYC Landmarks as well as the Department of Buildings. That's after navigating co-op boards, managing agents and neighbors in adjacent apartments. The whole process can be daunting," he says.

Reflecting on issues on the other side of the country, he says, "The City of Portland certainly has its share of bureaucratic requirements, but it tends to be a friendlier and more transparent process here.

"And let's face it," he jokes, "Portland has better donuts."

He says there are differences between the two markets, but "fundamental principles of good design remain constant."

Here are three other comparisons Dixon makes between residential projects in the Northeast and the Portland Metro area:

Lifestyle

Lifestyle is the biggest difference between the two regions. About half of my firm's work involves renovating apartments in Manhattan. In the City That Never Sleeps, an apartment is a refuge. Our designs tend to focus on creating a sense of calm and order. And, of course, we have gotten rather adept at creatively using every little bit of square footage. The need to escape from the city means that having a country house is very common.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed to be immersed in nature. Portlanders are biking to work, hiking through Forest Park and simply enjoying the mountain views. (Well, at least on those days when it's not cloudy.) Yes, plenty of people have mountain cabins or places at the coast, but there isn't the same need to "escape." Houses here are often outwardly focused, bringing in as much precious light as possible. And they're lived in year-round, not just during specific seasons.

Architectural styles

Another difference between the two regions is architectural style. New England is deeply rooted in the Colonial era, and that influences choices of scale and style, and things like historically accurate paint colors. Many of our country house projects have a traditional look, based on the rural vernacular. Even our modern projects reference the region's historic character.

One of the things I love most about Portland is the rich heritage of architectural styles. On my street alone one can see charming examples of Arts & Crafts, Mediterranean, Tudor and Federal houses. And, of course, there's the unique Northwest Regional Modernism championed by architects like Pietro Belluschi and John Yeon. We love working with our clients to help them tap into that vernacular to create their own unique expression of "home."



Connection to the outdoors

Just about every house we've designed in the Northeast has a screened porch; they are an inescapable necessity. We're so lucky that mosquitoes and gnats aren't such a nuisance here. My house in the Hillside neighborhood has a deck overlooking the city where we eat all of our meals in the warmer months. And the house my parents had in Irvington didn't even have screens on the windows. It's such a joy to have a connection with nature while living in an urban environment.

-- As told to Janet Eastman



jeastman@oregonian.com

503-799-8739

@janeteastman



