In Oregon’s rugged landscape, “unbuildable” is a challenge. Visionary architect Robert Oshatz embraced that challenge to create a marvel.
In the late 1980s, Oshatz reimagined a steep, rocky hill in Lake Oswego, and turned it into the unique Elk Rock Road Residence. Known locally as the Funnel House, this structure defies convention, starting narrow and expanding upward like a funnel or an open hand yearning for the horizon.
The Elk Rock Road Residence is a striking upside-down house. It clings to the hillside with six levels, each unfurling outward to embrace its own outdoor space.
A Masterpiece of Organic Architecture
No two walls align parallel; floors and ceilings play a harmonious dissonance. The house seems to evolve around the rock, appearing as though it’s been part of the terrain for centuries.
Underneath the influence of the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright Jr., Oshatz’s work here is a testament to natural harmony. The structure seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor environments, using materials in their organic colors to craft a space that feels sculpted rather than constructed.
The site’s challenging topography became a canvas for Oshatz, yielding a masterpiece that showcases stunning vistas of the Willamette River, Mt. Hood, and the sunrise.
The house itself is an experiment in spatial emotion. From the smallest studio on the bottom level to the communal and sleeping areas above, each space encourages a unique sensation of both security and flight. The building’s design ingeniously evokes the feeling of soaring above the landscape, akin to a bird in graceful flight.
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Locals affectionately call it the Funnel House, but it stands as a testament to innovative architecture. It proves the viability of what once seemed impossible.
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Images © Copyright Robert Oshatz. Used with permission.
Sources & Links
Source: mossandfog.com