Iconic June 2023

vol.2 issue 2

getting real with dan volkmer the arcifiles: anjeanette brown, the girls build™ executive director of fun! building joy! a century of style: portland’s architecture from the 1850s to today

letter from the editor It Takes a Community to Build a Village What a diverse and amazing mosaic of creative people, businesses, and organizations make up the Portland design-build community! From designers to contractors to craftspeople, and from product designers to vendors to organizations that support the industry, it does indeed take a village to build, remodel, and restore our local village.

Until now, Iconic magazine has focused on bringing you the stories of ARCIFORM remodels, useful how-to information from our designers, and, with the introduction of ArciFiles in the last issue, profiles of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products team members. Now we’re opening up the magazine to include stories about our partners and vendors in the Portland area home industry.

We lead off with an article on some of our industry partners, featuring Dan Volkmer of the Dan Volkmer Team of Realtors. Dan introduced Anne and Richard De Wolf to the Isam White House, their new domicile, which they’ve stunningly remodeled. His insights are always worth paying attention to.

Next, ArciFiles introduces you to a very fun member of our community.

Anjeanette “Bubbles” Brown is the Executive Director of Fun at Girls Build™, which empowers girls to learn building skills. With a title like that, how could we not include her? Get set to smile when you read the article.

Portland has a dizzying array of architectural home styles! If you ever get mixed up between a Craftsman, a Cottage, and a Colonial Revival home, Architectural Home Styles is the encyclopedic blog built to help you get them sorted out.

As Iconic evolves into a magazine about the people and places that make our design-build community great, we thought it was the perfect time to introduce a useful new service, the Iconic Community Directory of vendors, partners, and organizations that ARCIFORM works with. Have a look to discover our featured partners, vendors, and product designers that make it all possible.

Whew! That’s a lot for one issue. As we ramp up readership and expand our reach to the broader home industry community, perhaps it’s best to think of Iconic as a village square, a gathering place where you can listen in on lots of conversations and learn more about your diverse neighbors.

Snow Blackwood snow@snowbdesigns.com snowbdesigns.com

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the iconic

table of contents.

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EDITOR’S NOTE From the editor-in-chief

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GETTING REAL WITH DAN VOLKMER Meet Dan Volkmer and his team of Realtors at Windermere Realty and Trust.

This longtime Realtor has been working to preserve Portland’s great homes, from grand to more modest.

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THE ARCIFILES In this issue we meet a diversely creative member of the Portland design-build community, Anjeanette Brown, the Girls Build™ Executive Director of Fun!

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BUILDING JOY! See what happens when you place power (tools) in eager girls’ hands and give them the skills to use it.

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A CENTURY OF STYLE: PORTLAND’S ARCHITECTURE FROM THE 1850s TO TODAY Portland has a dizzying array of architectural home styles! This article will help you sort them all out.

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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY Meet vendors, partners, and organizations from our design-build community.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHED BY MITCH HOSE

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Yes, for over 20 years one of ARCIFORM’s closest

and its architecture. He was the first to propose the

relationships has been with a Realtor. But not just any

historic designation for the Alphabet District, and has

Realtor. Rather, one who very much shares ARCIFORM’s

been instrumental in preserving older homes there and

love and appreciation of Portland’s vintage homes.

throughout the city.

We sat down recently and spoke with Dan, who heads the

Dan says, “I fell in love with these older homes, and I want

six-person team of The Dan Volkmer Team. First, a little

to make sure they’re preserved. They’re a real treasure!”

background: Dan moved here from Ohio in 1974 and has been a Realtor ever since. He came to Portland because,

Given that, it was destined that ARCIFORM and Dan would

he says, “I was enchanted. The natural beauty and the

meet. Actually, the connection was made through one of

beautiful old homes just spoke to me.” He also points to

Dan’s team-members, Kishra Ott. Kishra had bought her

the urban growth boundary, the vibrant food scene, and

first home in the Southwest Hills, was in the middle of a

the transportation system as reasons for his love affair,

remodel, and wasn’t happy with the way it was going. She

both then and now.

says, “The architect and the designer weren’t in sync, and I felt completely neglected.” Worried that the result would

From the very beginning, Dan championed the city 4

be an expensive disaster, she happened to meet Anne at a

getting

real with

dan volkmer

“Twenty years! That’s how long we’ve been collaborating,” says Dan Volkmer regarding his relationship with ARCIFORM and its co-owner Anne De Wolf. He quickly adds, “I trust them so much, I gave them carte blanche with my own kitchen remodel.”

TOM LUX / PHOTOGRAPHED BY MITCH HOSE

tradeshow. The two got to talking, and within days, Anne came to check out the remodel. Right away, Kishra could tell that Anne understood the design and architectural problems like no one else – Anne was thinking organically, holistically, and with deep knowledge of the style.

Kishra fired both her contractor and architect, good riddance, and gave the job to ARCIFORM; she couldn’t have been happier with the process or the results. That’s when she introduced Dan to ARCIFORM. Since then, it’s been a great, symbiotic relationship.

Dan heads up a team of Realtors from the elegant offices of Windermere Realty Trust in a turn-of-the-century mansion off of NW Johnson Street. He and his team – Burdean Bartlem, Fritz Benz, Mardi Davis, Kishra Ott, and Melani Poet – work together seamlessly, and have positioned themselves as 5

experts in architectural properties. But it’s more than positioning. It’s genuine and real. They’re as passionate and knowledgeable about older homes as the people at ARCIFORM. Over the course of years, Dan became more and more familiar with the people at ARCIFORM and the quality of their work.

That’s when he started referring clients. Dan says, “I’d walk through an older home with a client and maybe it didn’t show so well or it had obvious shortcomings, like needing a bathroom update, and I’d immediately think of ARCIFORM. Telling clients that I absolutely know that something could be updated – in keeping with the rest of the house – gives them and me a lot of confidence.”

Dan recalls one older home that had been neglected for years.

“It was a beautiful old Foursquare that was run down and had been ‘remuddled.’ It made my heart sink. I walked through

with this young couple and we talked about it. Obviously, the bones were great. But it needed a lot of work. Anne joined us on the next visit, and then my client really got excited. They ended up buying the house, and now it’s this amazing home.

They couldn’t be happier.”

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Photo: Chris Dibble

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Photo: Greg Kozawa

The relationship works both ways. Oftentimes, ARCIFORM clients will be doing a remodel in anticipation of a future sale, and ARCIFORM will suggest that they contact Dan. Knowing that Dan fully appreciates and understands ARCIFORM’s workmanship makes it easy to recommend him. Says Anne, “Dan and his team value these homes like we do. We at ARCIFORM believe every home has a story, that owners are caretakers. Dan and his team share that vision.”

The real estate market is always a hot topic of discussion, so we thought we’d get this very experienced team’s thoughts. We started by discussing neighborhoods, and all the agents nod when we mention obvious locales like Laurelhurst and Irvington, but then they also mention hidden gems, or “unplucked plums,” as Kishra calls them: places like Parkrose, Argay Terrace, and Rose City Park. Mardi adds, “There are nice homes in these neighborhoods; the areas are growing with young families, and it’s just very dynamic.”

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When we asked about the market in general, everyone agreed that it’s very healthy. “There are plenty of buyers and the right number of sellers. No big imbalances,” said Mardi. Burdean is quick to add, “Prices are holding steady and interest rates are still relatively low.” When we asked where buyers were coming from, she says, “It’s the same mix of in-town people looking to upgrade, plus out-of-towners moving to Portland.” Fritz, who grew up in Portland and is the youngest of the bunch, claims that a lot of his peers are moving back to Portland, looking for homes after having lived away.

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Photos: Chris Dibble

Photo: Chris Dibble

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ABOVE: Anne and Dan enjoy Dan’s fully updated kitchen, featuring both stained and painted cabinets

by Versatile Wood Products, bold wallpaper (shown in background), and all-new appliances. This kitchen showcases ARCIFORM’s ability to blend modern functionality with period style.

“

Dan and his team value these homes like we do. We at ARCIFORM believe every home has a story—that owners are caretakers—and Dan shares that vision.”

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Photo: Chris Dibble

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In 2003, the historic Balch Farmhouse was within days of being bulldozed. When a young realtor named Dan Volkmer got word of this, he intervened immediately, rallying the neighborhood and ultimately helping get this landmark home moved rather than destroyed.

Throughout our conversation, these Realtors refer to historic homes throughout the city the way some people talk about baseball players, musical groups, or Beethoven’s sonatas. They know the history and specs of many buildings. Plus, they can all talk zoning, regulations, box-beam ceilings, and clear grain fir as well as any architect, designer, or carpenter.

Such deep knowledge and passion explain why The Dan Volkmer Group joins ARCIFORM as a longtime donor to important non-profits such as the Architectural Heritage Center and Restore Oregon.

We spent over an hour speaking with Dan and his team and left with the gratifying sense that here is a realty firm that doesn’t just hustle for sales; they truly care about the historic homes and buildings that they help buy and sell. Like ARCIFORM, they delight in listening to and preserving the stories that Portland’s diverse architecture has to tell. And to this, we say, “Thank you! And nice to have met you, Dan and team!” • 16

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arcifiles. profiles of the faces behind the

the places

No man is an island, John Donne famously wrote. No company is, either. ARCIFORM works with many sub-contractors, product designers, and industry nonprofits to achieve stunning remodels and restorations. In this edition of ArciFiles, we introduce you to Anjeanette Brown, the Girls Build™ Executive Director of Fun! PETER HERRING

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ANJEANETTE “BUBBLES” BROWN Company: Girls Build™ Duration: 8 years Role: Executive Director of Fun

BUILDING JOY THROUGH A LENS OF HAPPINESS Role at Girls Build™ Executive Director and “Fun” don’t usually go together.

And the ED’s nickname is not usually “Bubbles.” So what’s in two names? Context helps. Girls Build™, a nonprofit formed in 2016, empowers hundreds of eight- to fourteenyear-old girls a year to attend camps where they learn construction skills. Anjeanette “Bubbles” Brown is their one woman support system. “I’m the person to greet the girls, to make sure that they get accustomed and feel comfortable. Throughout their camp experience, I’m there. If they ever feel overwhelmed or have a hard time, they can come to me. I also take care of the discipline.

So if we have some behaviors, we can talk about that. We can see how we feel and what we need to do and work those things out.” When girls aren’t at workstations, she manages forty to sixty girls. “We’ll gather around, and I’ll create a space of fun and happiness. We’ll dance, we’ll sing, we’ll play games, we’ll chat it up, we’ll run in the sprinklers. I make sure that this week of camp is amazing, and the girls have a memorable time that they want to go brag about at school!”

As for her nickname? “The first year, everyone was picking a camp name. You throw a name out there. I like the name Bubbles. I love bubbles, first of all. And my personality is very bubbly!”

Getting Started “I was going through a program called Oregon Tradeswomen (OT). I became a journeyman, but it’s very difficult to be a single mom and a tradesperson.” The long hours conflicted with family time. “I went back to OT and worked as their outreach person. That’s where I met Katie Huges. (Executive Director of GB.) We worked on a program called Building Girls.” When that program was cut, Katie formed Girls Build™.

“So I started at Girls Build™ on day one.”

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Favorite Moment “If you sum up what I do, I create an atmosphere of joy,” says Anjeanette. “It’s very hard for sadness and negative energy to thrive when this place that you come to is just beaming with the energy of joy and fondness and happiness; positive energy just being spewed at you!”

She laughs. “It’s difficult for you to not have a good time.

I create an atmosphere of joy so that folks can come do the things that they came to do, but from a lens of happiness, from a lens of, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to do this thing!’”

Her two-year-old daughter helps. “I turned the music on the first day of camp, and she just got to dancing. So as these kids are coming in with their parents, they’re met with this baby shaking her thing, full of joy. She’s so good at ringing up kids and breaking down barriers, because here’s this cute baby dancing. ‘I don’t have time to be an angry teenager. I need to go check out this baby!’”

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Proudest Accomplishment My proudest personal accomplishment is what I’ve done with my family. I raised several children, and they really give an example of what kind of parent you are.

Professionally, my proudest accomplishment is that I was always just myself, and people created spaces for who I am. I came as myself, and people saw value in that and created jobs, like Executive Director of Fun, to house me and my rambunctious character. My loud laugh and random screams of joy.”

Experience Working in the Local Design-build Field While the pandemic cut off GB’s outreach to the trades, we’re building it back up. “We have trades folk that come out and talk about their trade, and during the spring break camps, the girls go on a construction site and actually get to do some work there.”

How do you see the future of design-build?

“Lots of different shades, different cultures, and different genders. I envision it, in my heart, to be this very inclusive place where we work together to build up our communities, our cities, and our towns. And we spread that out—that joy that I like to spread.” • 21

ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products support Girls Build™ financially, by donating office space, and through mentorship.

It’s the perfect partnership for the two companies, both of which work in the home and building industry and have many empowered women on their teams. They look forward to a more diverse work force in the Portland remodeling and building industries. Girls Build™ is uniquely positioned to help make that happen!

Over the course of the last few years, Girls Build™ founder Katie Hughes has been traveling North America interviewing and photographing girls who build. Girls Who Build showcases girls who hammer, drill, pour concrete, solder, bend sheet metal, wire projects and do anything they set their hearts on.

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building

joy!

See what happens when you place power (tools) in eager girls’ hands and give them the skills to use it. Girls Build™ is a non-profit organization based in Portland, OR, inspiring curiosity and confidence in girls through the world of building. They currently empower girls in Southern Oregon, Portland, the Oregon coast.

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archive. a century of style Portland’s neighborhoods are treasure troves of historic homes built in many different architectural styles. At ARCIFORM, we love preserving and reviving the stories that these gems tell. Knowing what defines the popular architectural styles that are a part of Portland’s history is essential to the process of honoring the past while enhancing the livability and efficiency of the structures.

Prairie (1900 – 1920)

The easiest way to know the different styles is to understand what was going on during the time when each were popular. Architecture reflects the fashion, science, art, and industry of the times.

Portland’s rich architectural diversity had humble origins; the first home built here by people of European descent was a log cabin. In 1841, William Johnson moved his family to the banks of the Willamette in what is now the South Waterfront. From there, Portland spread in all directions, and architectural styles proliferated.

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Italianate (1840 – 1885)

The Victorian Era (1860 – 1900)

Italianate (1840 – 1885)

The Victorian area architecture is defined by verticality and

Italianate homes have low pitched roofs with moderate to wide

formality. Access to exotic products was made possible by an

overhangs, decorative architectural features, and arched top

expanding railroad and shipping network, and stylistic details and

windows. Note how vertical the proportions are. This is the key

exuberant mixtures within styles flourished. Most Victorian homes

element of Victorian architecture.

in Portland are two to three stories with complicated asymmetrical shapes and separated formal interior spaces.

The Victorian Era (1860 – 1900)

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a century of style

Mid-Century Modern (1945 – 1960s)

Second Empire (1855 – 1885)

Colonial Revival (1880 – Present)

This is a French-inspired interpretation of the Victorian style. If

In architecture, the term “revival” means a renewed interest in

a structure reminds you of Paris, it is likely in the Second Empire

old styles. Colonial Revival is inspired by America’s early colonial

style. Mansard roofs, molded cornices, decorative brackets on the

homes. Features include symmetry, a central porch, and double-

eaves, and features that resemble carved stone define the style.

hung windows with shutters. The roof shapes are clean and symmetrical as is the interior room layout.

Queen Anne Revival (1880 – 1910) Inspired by the Queen Anne era from the early 1700s, these

Dutch Colonial (1880 – 1955)

romantic, whimsical structures feature steeply pitched roofs

A double-pitched gambrel roof defines this style. Dutch Colonial

with towers, turrets, spindle work, patterned shingles, and

homes are made to resemble homes of the 1600s-1700s in central

asymmetrical facades. They are often very colorful.

and northern Europe. They are usually two stories and can be on the more elaborate side with large front porches supported by

Victorian Farm House (1880 – 1910)

large simple columns.

The Victorian farm house’s identifying characteristics are the vertical proportions of the windows, the rooms and the simple

Spanish Colonial or Mediterranean (1910 – 1930)

steeply pitched roofs.

These homes feature stuccoed exterior walls and terracotta tile roofs. Other features can include asymmetry, narrow, arched

The 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition was one of the reasons

windows and doors, warm colors, towers, and turrets with iron

Portland grew 129% in the first ten years of the 20th Century. Spec

balconies. The interior spaces seem to create the exterior spaces

houses built during this time in the Colonial and Craftsman styles

rather than the other way around.

remain part of our treasured neighborhoods today.

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Colonial Revival (1880 – Present)

Queen Anne Revival (1880 - 1910)

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Craftsman (1905 - 1930)

Craftsman (1905 – 1930)

Cottage (1935 – 1950)

Craftsman style focuses on structure and function rather

Built rapidly during the Great Depression and WWII to house

than decoration, making the homes cozy and casual for the

workers and returning veterans and their families, these small

more informal lifestyles of the period. This was a reaction to

one-story homes came in many different styles and were known

the formality of the Victorian Era. These homes feature low-

as “the little [houses] that could.”

pitched roofs with deep overhangs, large columns, decorative rafter tails, and front porches that span the width of the house, treasured neighborhoods today.

Prairie (1900 – 1920) With low-pitched roofs, usually hipped, deep overhangs with boxed eaves, and extensive porches, these two-story homes were inspired by the Prairie style that emerged in Chicago in around 1900.

Ranch Style (1935 – 1975) The Ranch style home has a simple, broad, single-story profile, a rectangular shape, a low-pitched roof without dormers, and often an attached garage. Ranch style homes were influenced by increasing reliance on automobiles as suburbs developed.

Interiors were usually open with living, dining, and family rooms blending together, and the single-story floor plan was well-suited to families, seniors, and those with mobility issues.

Foursquare (1900 – 1920) These homes come in many styles, including Prairie, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman. The “Foursquare” name originated from the square floor plan with four rooms upstairs and four rooms downstairs.

Tudor (1920s – 1930s) This style is loosely based on Medieval English architecture of the 1500s-1600s. Local Tudor homes feature steeply pitched roofs, smaller windows, and cozy interior spaces. Tudor arches, whimsical details that mimicked thatched roofs, and half-timbered construction are common. These two decades

Join Us for Our Event!

were dominated with drastic changes in industry and politics,

ARCIFORM will be hosting our Architectural Home Styles

and cozy enclosed spaces where attractive to the consumers.

Event at the iconic Isam White House.

Portland’s Peacock Lane, home to an annual Christmas light

DATE: 10/18/23 TIME: 12:00pm

display, is one well-known collection of Tudors in the area.

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Foursquare (1900 – 1920)

Mid-Century Modern (1945 – 1960s)

21st Century Contemporary (1990s – Present)

Mid-Century Modern homes feature large windows and open

The introduction of computer-aided programs and unlimited

spaces. Focusing on integrating nature, these homes are

access to resources allowed for endless possibilities in design.

innovative, and sometimes influenced by the Space Age or the

Seen around Portland as infill or singular statements.

Bauhaus movement of the 1920’s in Europe.

New Traditional (1980 – Present) These homes are often based reviving home styles from previous time periods, including Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, or Colonial style homes. They often feature attached garages that are prominently placed. This was a counter-movement to the freespirited 70s. People craved more order and predictability.

Tudor (1920s – 1930s)

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community

directory.

Atelier Douce France

Fine & Dandy Co.

ADF is a women-owned business run by Anne Williams, who

Visual storytellers based in Toronto, Fine & Dandy Co.’s

was born and raised in Normandy, France, where she began

bespoke wallcovering studio can customize existing

learning the art of traditional upholstery at 15. We specialize

patterns, create entirely new designs based on a

in custom, high-end furniture upholstery for modern and

particular project or inspiration, or recreate an heirloom

traditional pieces. We have also created a whimsical, mushroom-

motif for a historic restoration. Whether it’s a small

shaped ottoman called the “Mycelia Seat.” ADF resells a small

residential powder room or a palatial ballroom, Fine &

inventory of well-curated pieces that we have restored to their

Dandy Co. can make any room feel grand.

former glory. Two years ago, we started teaching upholstery at Wildcraft, and now in person at our North Portland studio.

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United Tile

Versatile Wood Products

United Tile has offered the most comprehensive and creative

We are committed to building custom cabinets,

selection of tile, stone, and glass products in the Northwest. In

windows and doors that honor and make history.

addition to tile, we carry a high quality engineered hardwood;

By preserving traditional ways of construction

Plank. All products are found throughout the region at

and blending them with modern technologies and

quality flooring and tile retailers. As a wholesale distributor

performance standards, we design and build custom

of premium tile, stone, metal, glass and hardwood—we pride

solutions for both residential and commercial projects,

ourselves in providing service equal to the amazing

that harmonize aesthetics and temperament

selection of products we offer.

with function and utility.

Eastbank Contractor Appliances Eastbank Contractor Appliances supplies quality appliances and exceptional service to the building industry. Builders, designers, architects, remodelers, cabinet companies and tradesmen

The Old Church Concert Hall Portland’s sanctuary of sound. A historic landmark and concert hall in Portland, Oregon with worldclass acoustics and ambiance. Est. 1882.

trust Eastbank for their appliance needs.

We are open to the public.

Z Collection

Level Plane Tile and Stone

Offering a vast selection of porcelain, ceramic, and

Level Plane, serving Oregon and Washington for

natural stone tiles and mosaics, Z Collection is the

over 13 years, is a dedicated team of problem-

ultimate resource for tile. With distribution centers in

solving tile experts. From small home projects to

Portland and Seattle, we pride ourselves on providing

high-end residential and commercial spaces, we

locally stocked tile options that have been especially

handle all tile jobs with precision and offer a wide

curated for the Pacific Northwest market.

range of products and finishes.

Cornerstone Tile & Marble, LLC

Restore Oregon

If you are looking to remodel your bathroom tile or restore

Founded in 1977, Restore Oregon is a state-wide,

your new or old home’s fireplace, kitchen splash or

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supported by

bathroom tiles with precision and care and attention to fine

members/donors, led by a volunteer board, and staffed

details-look no further than Cornerstone Tile & Marble,LLC.

by professionals, who help people save and revitalize

With more then 25 years of experience and a commitment

historic places. Along with industry experts,

to preserving the historical elements of your home,

like ARCIFORM, we work on the front lines and behind

Cornerstone is the perfect choice for your restoration needs.

the scenes to leverage relationships, resources, and

Visit our Instagram to see some examples of my work and

creativity to preserve, protect, and pass forward

let’s get started planning your project today!

Oregon’s heritage—visit our website to learn more!

Cornell Farm Nursery & Cafe

Snow B. Designs

Nestled into the West Hills of Portland on the Blatter

As the creative agency behind the ARCIFORM

family’s fourth-generation farm, Cornell Farm Nursery

brand and producer of Iconic Magazine, we are

has been providing guests from all over the Northwest

Mom-built and powered by our team of long-time

with the finest plants for their gardens, homes,

creative pros in branding, design, writing and campaign

and offices since 1987.

strategy—whether online/mobile or traditional. We respect you by listening deeply to your needs, concerns, and goals—and how you want to reach them. We communicate honestly and clearly.

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Founded in 1997 by Richard and Anne De Wolf, ARCIFORM listens to the stories that our time-honored Pacific Northwest buildings and houses tell.

Respecting history, enhancing the visions of owners and anticipating new purposes, we reimagine, remodel, and reinvigorate the vintage buildings we love, preserving and reviving their stories for present and future generations. We invite you to learn more at arciform.com

ARCIFORM.COM • (503) 493-7344 Oregon: CCB# 119917 | Washington: ARCIFL *910KJ

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