The Cottrell House by Brandon Geiger

A collection of aerial photographs, captured via drone by University of Oregon historic preservation graduate student Brandon Geiger during October of 2019, demonstrates alarming roof conditions at the Cottrell House, a UOowned mid-century residence located to the west of Downtown Portland. The roof’s cedar shingles, metal flashing, and other components are in dire need of replacement or temporary repair due to existing deterioration. Other conditions, such as the build-up of debris caused by overhanging trees and substantial biological growth, are other areas of concern. The structure’s roman brick chimney features similar levels of disrepair with conditions such as biological growth, missing segments of its cement top, and efflorescence. There are

currently no plans by UO to proceed with the necessary treatments.

The home’s design is from the hand of prominent Pacific Northwest Modernist John Yeon (1910-1994). The Cottrell family donated the house to the University of Oregon in 2001. The College of Design currently manages the Cottrell House as a part of the John Yeon Center for Architecture and Landscape. The home is located adjacent to John Yeon’s Watzek House, a designated National Historic Landmark owned by UO and under the umbrella of the John Yeon Center.

The photos resulted from a course focused on conducting condition assessments; the course is a staple of the UO historic preservation program’s curriculum. Portland-based firm Peter Meijer Architect taught this year’s edition of the course. The course and the reports were completed in early December of 2019.

The course was the latest event in a series of increased activities between the UO historic preservation students and the John Yeon Center, a trend sparked by the 2018 Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School located at the Cottrell House. In the year since the field school, the John Yeon Center has been the topic of two courses; in addition to this fall’s condition assessment class, a course led by Hennebery Eddy Architects allowed students to develop a building preservation plan for the Watzek House in the winter of 2019. Other recent activities include student-led volunteer work sessions and social events. However, while student activity has spiked within the last year, questions continue to arise regarding the conditions of both the Cottrell and Watzek Houses as they rest within the moisture-driven environment of Portland’s West Hills.