Willamette
River House

Sitting atop the west bank of the Willamette River, the expansive landscape surrounding this stunning contemporary residence — designed by Annie Usher Architecture and built by Sierra Custom Construction — balances the clean, architectural lines of the home with a diverse, naturalistic plantscape.

Leading up to the main entry of the house, a series of elegant, sand-finished concrete stairs and walls are flanked by a profusion of ornamental grasses and vibrant perennials, with a multi-colored array of blooms and textures that provide interest throughout the seasons, creating an exceptional experience on the way to the upper yard.

A re-imagined, large pond in the front yard landscape is highlighted by a naturalistic water feature, a massive Willow tree cascading over the east bank, a collection of tall River Birch trees with ample underplantings to buffer the road, and a variety of gathering spaces to enjoy the garden spaces, including a steel-edged fire pit area with views of the waterfall.

The backyard features a variety of comfortable outdoor rooms — including a well-appointed, spacious dining patio overlooking the river, and an intimate fire pit area set with modern, architectural concrete pavers underfoot, flanked by a modern steel trellis with evergreen Jasmine vines. A few steps away is a covered porch with ample seating around an elegant outdoor fireplace — all of which are anchored by remarkable views of the Willamette River below.

Photos by Kaitlin Green