Our Versatile Wood Shop

Arciform's Wood Shop: Preserving Portland's Architectural Charm

With an unwavering commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technologies, the countless years of product knowledge the craftspeople have in our shop, Arciform has earned a distinguished reputation in the Pacific Northwest community as a source for bespoke projects that incorporate their period-appropriate cabinets, doors, windows, and architectural ornamentation.

Known for their exceptional craftsmanship, informed customer service and timeless values, the Arciform brand has evolved into a powerhouse with a diverse portfolio, catering to both residential and commercial markets. With the resources of their versatile shop crafting custom cabinets for a 1904 Colonial Revival home or reconstructing windows in a Gothic Revival church, Arciform excels in preserving the age-old art of woodworking while ensuring that products meet modern performance standards.

The Magic of Craftsmanship: Inside Our 10,000 sq ft Workshop

Situated beneath the picturesque Fremont Bridge in North Portland, the 10,000 square foot shop is where the magic happens.

Step into the shop and you’ll witness production in full swing— different styles, from the past to the present, various wood species, all in different phases of becoming something extraordinary. It is a testament to their versatile capabilities. Head toward the back and you’ll find yourself in the world of doors and windows. Currently playing host to a commercial project, the workshop is alive with the assembly of exquisite arched, paneled doors, complete with swirly glass and one-of-a-kind casing.

Staying Innovative: Sustainable Woodworking with CNC Technology

With an expansive shop comes room for ingenuity. “While woodworking is an ancient trade, it has never been more important to be up to date on new technologies,” Richard says, “With the rate that trees are being consumed, utilizing new tools and methods allows us to reduce waste.” Offering signature bamboo cabinet drawers, for example, not only add flair but align with sustainability objectives.

New tools and equipment like the CNC (computer numerical control) machine create high precision cuts, helping to minimize human error and product waste.

Watching the CNC machine in action is like watching an oversized claw machine in a wood shop arcade. Behind the safety glass, it’s a show—cutting, planing, and routing in one dazzling swoop. The CNC machine helps to reduce the hindrance of moving a piece of wood through 10 different machines. It’s like magic, but with sawdust.

Iconic Restoration: Revitalizing Pacific Northwest Landmarks

Ask Richard De Wolf about some of his all-time favorite projects, and he’ll excitedly regale you with tales of Arciform’s adventures, breathing new life into iconic Pacific Northwest landmarks. These might not be the biggest undertakings on their highlight reel, but they are some of their most culturally significant!

Richard fondly recalls the daring restoration escapade at the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, Oregon. Battling the aftermath of relentless winter storms, Arciform’s talented shop-crew stepped up to replicate the original windows. Being perched on a rocky island with waves crashing in, the installation required care. Life vests even made a fashionable appearance during high tide!

Now, let’s take a stroll in Downtown Portland to NW Portland’s second oldest commercial building still standing tall—the Harlow Hotel. Arciform helped rescue the building from total decay. After being abandoned for decades, extensive restoration was needed. Our shop lovingly restored and rebuilt architectural ornamentation, a grand staircase, doors, and windows. It’s a dazzling showcase of Arciform exercising all its strengths, earning them a prestigious DeMuro Award in 2023 for the revival of this historic icon.

Bespoke Cabinetry for Every Decade: Custom Doors, Windows, and More

When there is a need for bespoke cabinetry, Arciform’s prolific shop can deliver. They provide exceptionally crafted cabinets to fit any style or decade. Their knowledgeable design team helps make visions come to life. If you dream it, they can build it! A bonus is that with their expansive knowledge of historically accurate details, they seamlessly blend the old with the new, sans the squeaky hinges and chipped paint (unless that is what you’re into!).

Embarking on a daring rescue mission, the owners of the Jacob H. Cook House, fondly known as The Walter, vowed to breathe life back into the 1893 Neoclassical gem after years of neglect. Arciform was trusted with the task of crafting kitchen cabinets fit for this mansion. Oak base cabinets topped with lively marble countertops and pristine white uppers blend cutting-edge functionality with an ageless charm.

For the Euro-cabinet aficionados among us, Arciform can inspire you, too! Over at the 1932 Tudor home, the owners decided to introduce a little modern flair. In addition to a bank of custom windows that match the original windows, Arciform’s shop built sleek European-inspired cabinets destined for the basement bar and primary bathroom. The tone of the walnut ties into the existing dark, rustic elements. The work did not stop there, as Arciform added a new transom window to complement the existing door and crafted other one-of-a-kind pieces.

Our versatile shop helps us realize the owner’s wishes and continue the stories of the many beautiful structures of the Northwest. •