Living room with built-in wooden shelves, a flat-screen TV, a modern chandelier with exposed bulbs, and large windows showing green trees outside.

Skyline Basement

Designer: Wise Design
Architect: Sasquatch Architecture
Photographer: Seppi Reda

  • Tucked into Portland’s West Hills, this large basement remodel transformed an underutilized space into a warm, functional retreat for family and guests alike. The original basement was vast but unfinished—cement floors, beige walls, and exposed mechanical systems dominated the view. The homeowners envisioned a comfortable, well-defined space that reflected the craftsmanship of the upper levels while introducing distinct zones for work, play, and hosting.

    Working closely with Wise Design and Sasquatch Architecture, ClarkBuilt reimagined the 1,150-square-foot basement with an emphasis on material warmth and thoughtful detailing. The finished space now includes a full bathroom, entertainment room, kitchenette, integrated Murphy bed, pantry, utility, and storage rooms—along with a new 312-square-foot paver patio complete with hot tub and firepit.

    A continuous vertical grain fir (CVG Fir) entertainment wall anchors the main gathering area, complemented by fir-wrapped posts, exposed beams, and custom casework throughout. The bathroom features a fully tiled shower and floor, blending function and craftsmanship seamlessly. In the kitchenette, paint-grade cabinetry conceals an integrated Murphy bed, while the pantry pairs custom fir floating shelves with matching paint-grade cabinetry for a cohesive finish.

    To create distinct guest and entertaining zones, the team relocated the home’s core systems—HVAC, water heater, air ventilation, and floor drains—condensing them into dedicated utility rooms. This complex reconfiguration required precise coordination and planning.

    Elegant yet approachable, this remodel embodies the collaborative spirit between builder, designer, and client. The result is a cohesive lower level that feels naturally connected to the rest of the home—distinct in purpose, yet unified in craftsmanship.

Outdoor patio with wooden chairs arranged around a firepit, set amidst a forest with trees and green leaves, string lights hanging overhead.
A kitchen with beige cabinets, a gray countertop, open wooden shelves with bowls and baskets, a vase with flowers, and a stainless steel refrigerator.
A pantry with white shelves on the left holding books, glass jars, and bottles; on the right, wooden shelves with dishes, glasses, and kitchen items; a closed wooden door in the center; a countertop with bowls, a recipe book, and kitchen utensils.
Pantry with white shelving containing wine bottles, books, baskets, jars of grains, pasta, canned tomatoes, bottled water, and other food items.
Wooden bookshelf with decorative items including books, vintage clocks, ceramic vases, and art pieces, with a small window visible on the right side.
Living room featuring a wood-paneled wall with built-in bookshelves, a window with a view of green trees, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, and a black sofa with patterned pillows.
A wooden bookshelf filled with decorative objects, books, and collectibles, situated next to a window with natural light.
Wooden display cabinet with decorative items, books, clocks, vases, and ceramic hands, illuminated with built-in lighting.
Living room with wood-paneled wall, three windows showing green trees outside, a black flat screen TV, a soundbar, built-in wooden shelves with decorative objects, a small beige basket on a blue couch, and a modern chandelier with multiple glass glob
Wooden bookshelf with decorative items and books, illuminated shelves, next to a window showing green foliage outdoors.
A wooden upright piano with sheet music on its music stand, a matching wooden bench in front, a small table with a brass lamp beside it, decorative paintings and books on top of the piano, and a wooden shelf filled with various decorative items and b
Living room with a navy blue sofa with striped pillows, a wicker basket with remote controls on top, a piano with nautical decor, and built-in wooden shelves filled with various decorative objects. A modern chandelier with exposed bulbs hangs from th
Living room with dark couch, patterned pillows, a kitchen area with a sink, cabinets, and a countertop, living room wall decor, and a doorway with wooden trim.
Interior view of a small kitchenette with closed cabinets, a built-in shelf with bottles and decor, and part of a bed with pillows
Interior of a living space with a bed on the left and a kitchenette on the right, featuring white cabinets, a brick backsplash, and various bottles and decor items on shelves.
A modern studio apartment with a combined kitchen and bedroom area. The kitchen features white cabinets, a countertop with a wooden cutting board, a small sink, and a mini fridge with a glass door filled with beverages. The open shelving displays bot
A modern kitchenette with white cabinets, a brick backsplash, a small wine refrigerator, and decor items including a pitcher, glasses, framed picture, and bottles of liquor and spirits placed on open shelves.
A modern kitchen with cream cabinets, a gray countertop, and a beige brick backsplash. Shelves hold decorative items and alcohol bottles. A small side table with books and decor is next to a bed with a plaid blanket. Recessed ceiling lights and a bla
Interior view of a room with a kitchen and a bed. The kitchen has white cabinets, a gray countertop, a sink, bottles of alcohol on shelves, and a small wine fridge. The bed has a plaid bedspread and pillows. The ceiling has recessed lighting and a mo
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a brick backsplash, a sink, and a small wine fridge, with a wooden cutting board and decorative items on the shelf.
Modern bathroom with wooden cabinets, large wall mirror, and black light fixtures. The wall behind the mirror features textured tile, and a small shelf holds decorative items. Adjacent kitchen area with white cabinetry and brick backsplash is visible
Bathroom vanity with wooden cabinet drawers, white countertop, and a rectangular mirror. The wall behind the mirror has textured gray tiles, and there are two wall-mounted light fixtures on either side of the mirror. On the countertop are a clear ree
A modern shower with dark gray marble tiles on the walls, a brown textured towel hanging on a metal bar, a handheld showerhead, and two black bottles on a built-in shelf. The ceiling has a recessed light, and the shower floor has small square tiles w
Modern shower area with dark gray marble tiles, a handheld showerhead, a grab bar with a brown towel, and a small square floor drain.
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