then I will say something. I try to give a dif-
ferent perspective. I am careful not to inter-
ject when a client has a strong opinion about
something. I’m generally reluctant to give an
opinion if I don’t like something. Instead, I
try to make it work in the overall. With an
architect or owner, until you’ve gained their
trust, the last thing they want to hear is their
contractor’s opinion.”
Apparently that has worked out well. All of
DTC’s work is through referral. He prefers to
work on no more than four projects at a time,
as that is all he can manage while maintain-
ing his level of care and supervision. Once
an architect has worked with him they keep
working together. That level of trust becomes
a shorthand communication his clients ex-
pect.
Don has developed a reputation for special-
izing in contemporary projects although that
is not necessarily what he originally sought.
“That comes out of the interaction with the
architects that are coming up with something
fresh. I don’t go after modern projects, but
there is a correlation between the past work
and what comes to me.”
Don thinks the ever-changing quality of light
of the Northwest is one of the more inter-
December 2012
esting details he deals with. Another factor
that is critical to consider when building in
our climate is weatherproofing since the ef-
fects of rain and water require special atten-
tion. One of his favorite elements on a home
are overhangs because he likes anything that
keeps water away from the house and creates
an area that provides a dry space as you tran-
sition from outside to inside. An architect
whose work he admires is John Yeon. Yeon
was known for creating a northwest regional
style of architecture in the 1930s, with an in-
novative use of simple building materials and
the overhangs that Don loves so well.
I asked him how he would advise a homeown-
er to keep things in line. “Assemble a good
team. Hire people who have gone through
these types of projects and who can foresee
the problems. You have to have trust. I often
say to clients –‘You’ve hired a good architect,
don’t make him do something bad.’ The single
thing you can do is to know what you want.
If you’re figuring it out as you go along, the
project and budget will follow that path. You
have to have everything lined up before you
start. It’s a frustrating feeling when someone
is spending your money so have the architect
and designer decide everything before your
start. Specifying makes all the difference.”
Don took me on a tour of a warehouse space
in Northwest Portland that is being con-
verted to a private residence. All the rooms
in the 5,000 square foot single level home
are oriented toward an enormous atrium.
Additionally, there are 10 foot sliding glass
doors with a view toward a private court-
yard that will be part of the next phase of
the construction. As we walked the space he
pointed out details and items that the owner
will likely never think about such as radiant
heat flooring, the insulation and a 50 foot
uninterrupted expanse of dividing wall. He
pointed out waterproofing details that are
paramount in our rainy region. The natural
wood window frames were receiving a finish
coat prior to being set in place to insure a wa-
ter tight seal, and the roofing material used
was a new product that is not only one of the
best in the industry, it is a work of art. The ar-
chitect’s drawings of the space are absolutely
stunning, and as I stood there admiring the
space and daydreaming again, he listed off
the numbers for construction costs that sadly
brought me back to reality.
Don summed up his work very simply. “I
build art you can live in.” I couldn’t have said
it any better. §
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