In July of 2023, PMA’s Skyla, Kate, and Jessica collaborated with team members from Movement Mortgage and Corazón Corvallis Wine Bar in Corvallis Oregon to give a presentation on the history of architectural styles in the Willamette Valley, (and other related architecture and preservation topics) to a group of local real estate agents.

Movement Mortgage first approached PMA a few months prior with the goal of creating a presentation to educate local real estate agents on the architecture of the area, what to expect when selling an older or historic home, and how to best describe the character defining features of these homes to their clients. These topics were enriched with a fun twist by incorporating a tasting of three local wines throughout the evening by Corazón Corvallis’ sommelier. PMA was extremely excited for this opportunity… what’s better than talking about architecture while drinking wine? Maybe a few things, but in this field it’s the equivalent to a walk on a tropical beach at sunset.

Our presentation had three “chapters.” The first, a brief background on architectural history and terms, the second on architectural forms and styles, and the third on a few technical aspects of historic architecture. Before we began discussing architectural styles of the area, we wanted to give our audience an overview of how the growth of the United States and the Willamette Valley spread architectural information and styles. As country-wide events like the invention of the automobile, the Great Depression, and the post-WWII housing boom influenced how and when houses were built, they also influenced what style of houses were built and how architectural information was spread, whether it was through pattern books, architectural expositions, or magazines.

PMA gave a brief overview of character defining features and form versus style before diving into architectural styles. To tailor our architectural styles discussion to the real estate agent clientele, PMA researched the most popular single family housing stock in Linn and Benton Counties priced between $400,000 to $600,000. A majority of the older and historic houses currently for sale were styles commonly built between 1900 and 1975, and modern adaptations of these styles dispersed throughout.

PMA began our discussion with Early Modern style houses that included Craftsman. After our first tasting of the 2019 Staking Claim Chardonnay from Adelsheim Vineyard, we discussed Bankers Modern houses that included Minimal Traditional- and Ranch-styled houses, and the Split-Level house form. Between wines two, the 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé from Elk Cove Vineyards, and three, the 2021 Pinot Noir from Lemelson Vineyard, we discussed “Neo” buildings. Since there are many new housing projects and developments occurring in the researched area, PMA also discussed “Neo” buildings by discussing how they are influenced by, and different from, historic styles. With each style, we gave
exterior and interior photo examples to explain the styles’ or forms’ character defining features.

After discussing forms and styles and tasting all the delicious wines, PMA concluded the presentation by discussing issues and hazards with 20th century housing, including hazardous materials and conditions, and buying and living in a historic home in a designated Historic District, including guidelines and preservation ordinances as well as homeowners’ associations.

At the end of the presentation, we had an amazing question and answer session and received some great feedback. We would love to use this presentation, or develop a similar one, again; are you or someone you know interested in an event like this one? If so, please reach out to Kate at kateh@pmapdx.com!

Blog post written by PMA preservation planner Jessica Schmitt, and Design associate Skyla Leavitt.