ROBERT HARVEY OSHATZ, ARCHITECT

We have lived in our house, designed and built in 1984 by Bob Oshatz, for almost 30 years. Ours is a dramatic house, yet family friendly. In it we have hosted our grown children as they set roots in Portland, lodged guests for days to weeks at a time, and entertained easily. The house attracts attention, soaring out from a wooded hillside, with large windows and many interesting and unusual architectural details. It is a comfy for us, bright and light, and fun to live in. We are very attached to it. We have found Bob easy to work with and very receptive to our specific needs for change. His training and experience lead him to quickly propose remodeling features that have met our needs. Furthermore, he volunteered changes we had not thought of and which further increased our pleasure with the house. Over the years he has always been available for consultation and he maintains continuing interest in his designs and their inhabitants. Each of Bob’s houses are very different, full of imaginative details, shaped to fit their environment and occupants, and take advantage of their views and sites. They are houses to enjoy.

Robert is a supremely professional architect whose designs are informed by the organic architecture movement of Frank Lloyd Wright. If you find "modern" architecture to be sterile and uninspired, yet seek a modern aesthetic, Robert is one of a handful of practicing architects who can deliver this. His structures are livable works of art. We used him for all aspects of the structure design, interior design, contractor selection, and construction management for a complex residential project. His performance exceeded our expectations which were high. Robert's construction documents are extremely detailed, assuring that what is built is what both he and the owner want. Contractors find him very responsive to questions and rave about his construction documents. From the owner's point of view, he was thorough, solicitous, listened well, responded promptly, honest, and generally easy to work with. He is knowledgable about all the trades and contractor management. He is a true artist and honest to a fault. He has well thought out and definite opinions but solicits input from everyone, from the tradesmen and sub contractors to the owner. If someone has a better idea, he is quite receptive, but stands his ground when he believes he is correct. He has a slight tendency to error on the side of design over function and an owner needs to be insistent when necessary. For example, because of our climate in the north west, we told him going in that we did not want any exterior wood that would require periodic refinishing. Nonetheless, he argued persistently for naturally finished, wood framed windows. We simply told him no, and insisted on metal clad exteriors for our wood framed windows. Robert then figured out how to make this work for his design. While his website gives you a good flavor for his designs, you should visit at least two of his completed projects before hiring him. You will either love him, or move on. If you want to design your own house, hire someone else. If you want a livable work of art designed to meet your specific functional requirements, hire Robert.

We had the privilege of building one of Robert Oshatz's homes outside of Eugene, Oregon. As a residential home builder I have never seen such detail in a set of plans. Because of the complexity of the home, the vision, the engineering, and the execution they needed to be of the highest quality. The process of building a home with this much intent allows the craftsmanship to revel itself. The steel workers, the carpenters, the masons, and all of the trades were asked to think outside of the box and trust the Architect's vision. With each step we were able to see the brilliance of the building. Robert Oshatz has an amazing sense of what a building should feel like and how it presents it's self to it's inhabitants. We were honored to create such a fine vision and hope we can build another because simply put, there is nothing else out there like an Oshatz home.

Robert is the most respected and innovative architect you would be proud to hire for your next home design.. He hones his craft with the utmost creative art and passion and takes pride in his amazing work. I would like to recommend his many fine contributions in home design to which his friends, co-workers and clients have nothing but praise for him and his creative genius when you meet with him to design a home masterpiece, an example of art you live and dream in and have peace in. I can recommend Robert Oshatz with complete confidence who is well thought of in the community and around the world. Cynde Moen Principal Broker, Sotheby's International Real Estate

Robert Harvey Oshatz Architect is an architect operating out of Lake Oswego in Oregon. He completes work locally, throughout the US and internationally. Oshatz' work is always carefully tailored to respond directly to the client and to the nature of the site. After discussing one of his houses with the new owner, the owner told me that if he were an architect and if he had the skill and talent to do so, he would have created a house exactly the same as the one Oshatz had provided him. This is the highest possible praise that can be given to any architect. Oshatz' work is idiosyncratic because people are idiosyncratic. None of his projects will never be the same because no client will ever be the same and because no site will ever be the same. Oshatz provides a level of thought and consideration for his clients, their site, and for high quality design that exceeds what could be expected from any architect. He provides only the very highest possible service. Having worked with Oshatz for a number of years and then with other commercial architects I can confidently say that the service provided by Oshatz is exceptional. I would have no reservations whatsoever recommending him to anybody who appreciates architecture and wants a building that represents their own desires and aspirations. Andrew T Boyne - Architect