Harka Low-Carbon Architecture & Life

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Harka Low-Carbon Architecture & Life

Innovative design that inspires a better world and informs a more thoughtful way of living.

08/05/2026

Aging in place does not have to sacrifice style!

The owners have lived in this 1902 home for over 30 years. We helped them transform their under-utilized dark basement into a guest space filled with natural light, focusing on accessibility and resiliency. Using sustainable materials, local purchasing, and supporting businesses that do positive things in the world was very important to them.

We wanted the interior of the space to feel welcoming and bright, yet functional and accessible. Restoration Juniper butcher block from Sustainable Northwest was installed for the kitchen island with an operable leaf to add counterspace when needed. The clients loved the look of polished concrete floors but were concerned about how hard they would be on their feet. So, we encouraged them to install a cork floor, aptly named “fashionable cement.” Large north-facing windows make the living space feel bigger while bringing diffused natural light, which is easier on potential visual impairments. Fireclay Tile, a B Corp Certified company producing sustainable handcrafted artisan tile, was installed in the shower playing with size and shape. We refinished and reused existing fir boards from the clients for an accent wall. While the walls were open, we added blocking inside the shower to accommodate future grab bars. The concrete slab was designed to accommodate a curbless shower.

The insulated envelope was designed with meticulous air-sealing details. This, along with the partial subterranean condition, will lower their utility costs and allow them to inhabit the space longer during power outages. The air sealing will also help manage air quality during wildfire season.

The space was designed with the future in mind, featuring barrier-free flow to all aspects of the unit. Swipe through for some of the before images.

06/22/2026

The design for this ma*****na store right off of Pacific Highway needed to catch people’s attention as they come into town. We achieved this by encasing the glass front of the store with a wooden screen. This provides a pleasing light, brand recognition, and entices people in. After dark, the shop turns into a jewel box shining from the inside through the vertical wooden slats, invoking the warm comfort and guidance of a lamp.

This bold style has since become the signature look for Cannabros. They use it at all of their new locations and keep coming back to us for more.

The client originally wanted to stain the concrete floor. We encouraged a more restrained approach that would be rewarding at certain times of the day. The wood screen throws a unique pattern across the floor depending on the time of day and year.

Wood texture and dappled light are both pleasing and calming biophilic elements.

While the project is designed for cannabis retail, other retail tenants were also considered due to market volatility. Extra security, an efficient back of house, and a flexible retail floor are universal.

06/02/2026

Continuing our Sabin ADU project tour, a main focus was planning for aging in place. The space was designed with the future in mind, featuring a barrier-free front door, a bathroom large enough for a wheelchair and even blocking in the walls to accommodate future grab bars.

The First floor provides all the basics of small living, but with big light to make it feel larger. These spaces feel big even though they fit into a small footprint.

The Second floor currently functions as a live-work space with a bedroom, art studio, and half bath. This is designed to act as a potential caregiver apartment if one is ever needed.

Accessible First Floor layout: If someone with mobility issues lived here, the first floor could transform into an accessible studio with no stairs between the bathroom and kitchen, so our client can continue to live here as her needs change.

We also focused on maximizing storage, providing custom built-ins.

05/28/2026

For our next project tour, our Sabin ADU, we brought a family closer through inter-generational living. This 2 story 800-square-foot, high-efficiency one-bedroom unit has enough space to comfortably live and work. We designed the building envelope with a level of resiliency that will keep our client and the building in good shape for decades. With that in mind, the main floor is designed to convert into a fully ADA-compliant studio apartment when the stairs become too challenging.

The main house kitchen and the ADU kitchen are connected by a shared patio. The small bump outs break down the scale so it feels less imposing while adding to the square footage on the second level.

In this energy-efficient build, we designed a heeled truss to add extra insulation in the attic. Advanced framing reduced the lumber used (saving money and material) and provided more room for insulation. We also included air sealing details to help control indoor air quality and improve energy performance. These details provide a comfortable home that lasts and costs less to heat and cool.

04/29/2026

Popped in to check on the progress and finalize some details for this awesome project currently in construction. Tile is looking fab and can’t wait for this custom backsplash by to be installed ☀️

04/22/2026

Before and After Alert! The existing living room in this project was dark and undersized. The fireplace felt cramped in the corner of the room. The original kitchen layout lacked counter space and was ergonomically awkward due to the adjacent hallway.

Removing walls opened up the living space, allowing light to fill the house and improving views. The difference is significant. Now the family can gather around the fireplace. Keeping an eye on the little ones is made easier with more views from the kitchen. The whole floor now feels lighter, more welcoming, and is made healthier with smart material choices.

Removing the hallway between the stairwell and the kitchen allowed us to expand the kitchen. This made room for a large island which transformed the kitchen into a functional family gathering space. The new cabinetry and uplifted kitchen layout added a ton of storage, functionality, and much improved ergonomics. It now feels like the true heart of the home.

Swipe for the Before!

04/13/2026

Photoshoot Day Teaser for this stunner 😎

03/31/2026

For our next project tour, we’ll show you how this remodel expanded and updated the home our clients’ grandfather built to support future generations.

How do you update and expand a home that is packed with so much sentimentality? This single story home was built by the owner’s grandfather in 1929, and will be the childhood home of at least 3 generations of their children. We worked closely to preserve and respect the history of the home, while uplifting it to work for generations to come. We added 1075sf second level while not overpowering the scale of the home from the street. The thoughtful addition saved the client money, and reduced the carbon footprint of the project.

The view from the curb has changed dramatically while maintaining the original charm and scale. The experience of entering the home has been elevated with bright new siding, and a new cover created by the kids’ bathroom above. This new design provides a comfortable place to sit and reconnect with the neighborhood.

Swipe for the Before.

03/18/2026

We are excited to share this Sammamish, WA project, which kicks off construction this Spring. The existing home was very small, but sat on a prime location on Pine Lake. The owners wanted to build their dream home which included a double height living space, lofted office, lower level ADU and a wonderful view of the water. We teamed up with Bright Sky Design to complete the Interior Design for this project. Stay tuned as we share the progress.

Address

7631 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR
97213

Telephone

+15039759471

Website

http://harkahq.com/

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