Specializing in architecturally significant homes, we cross paths with many different types of contractors and vendors who are also specialized in their craft and services. We are always looking for the most talented ones to refer to our clients, specifically contractors who are just as passionate about well designed spaces and excel in the execution of their services. One such construction company, Durham Construction, has been on our radar for a few years now. We are proud to call them industry friends and can confidently refer them as they are like minded in their attention to detail, care for significant homes with unique architecture and are great people to know.
About Durham Construction:
Founded in 2013, Durham Construction is a Portland, Oregon–based builder specializing in modern and mid-century architecture, with a focus on custom homes and major remodels. The company’s work is grounded in thoughtful construction, material precision, and a clear respect for design.
Durham Construction collaborates closely with homeowners, architects, and designers who value detail, quality, and integrity. Its process emphasizes clarity and steady guidance, supporting clients through complex builds with a calm, measured approach. Projects are shaped through careful listening and disciplined execution, resulting in work that feels both intentional and resolved.
The firm’s portfolio reflects a belief that well-built homes should be enduring—architecturally, materially, and functionally. Whether reworking existing structures or building new, Durham prioritizes craft, proportion, and long-term performance.
Equally central to the practice is an emphasis on relationships. Durham Construction approaches building as a collaborative and human process, placing lasting value on the connections formed alongside the homes themselves.
Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Durham Construction continues to build projects defined by care, rigor, and longevity.
Tunnelwood Project
We had the pleasure of representing the buyers of this special home who hired Ment Architecture and Durham Construction to make it their own. Built in 1965, this 2,138-square-foot mid-century home in Southwest Portland underwent an 11-month, full-gut renovation completed in 2024 that redefined both its layout and performance. The Tunnelwood Project transformed an outdated structure into a light-filled, highly efficient residence through a complete architectural reconfiguration.
The renovation introduced an entirely new floor plan, including a relocated entryway, three new bathrooms, and a custom kitchen designed as the functional core of the home. Each intervention was guided by clarity of circulation, proportion, and daylight.
A full European high-performance window package—27 new windows in total—significantly improved energy efficiency while reinforcing the home’s connection to its surroundings. At the center of the plan, a 12-foot skylight brings vertical light deep into the kitchen, establishing a strong spatial and visual anchor.
A handcrafted white oak picket staircase serves as both infrastructure and architectural feature. Composed of 99 individual pickets, the stair introduces warmth and rhythm, balancing the project’s clean lines and restrained material palette.
While every surface and system was replaced, the renovation maintains a clear dialogue with the home’s mid-century origins. The Tunnelwood Project prioritizes performance, precision, and craftsmanship—resulting in a contemporary residence that is both rigorously modern and grounded in its original architectural intent.
This remodel is quintessentially Durham Construction, showcasing their love for high-quality, clean design.
Architect: Ment Architecture
Builder: Durham Construction
Photography: Luke and Mallory Leasure
Styling and Staging: Wilma and Karie Higgins Studio
Tunnelwood After/Before Exterior Front
Tunnelwood Before/After Kitchen
Tunnelwood Before/After Interior
