- Project: Octothorpe House
- Architect: Mork Ulnes Architects
- Location: United States, Bend, Oregon
- Year: 2022
- Area: 310 m2
- Photography: Jeremy Bittermann
A Sustainable Timber Home in Oregon’s High Desert
Set against the sagebrush-strewn landscape of Bend, Oregon, Octothorpe House by Mork-Ulnes Architects redefines sustainable desert living. Constructed entirely from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), this single-story residence balances geometric precision, environmental performance, and poetic connection to its rugged surroundings.
The name Octothorpe—the formal term for the “#” symbol—reflects the house’s ingenious criss-cross layout, which organizes the home around a central courtyard and seven semi-enclosed exterior courtyards, creating a living environment filled with light, air, and spatial fluidity.
Site & Concept
Located on a site once ravaged by wildfire and now covered in sagebrush, juniper, and bitterbrush, the house sits within the transitional zone between Oregon’s high desert and the ponderosa pine forests beyond. With views of the Three Sisters volcanic peaks and the Deschutes National Forest, the project responds to both environmental and emotional context.
The design captures the resilient spirit of the high desert, emphasizing sustainability, adaptability, and deep visual engagement with nature.
Design & Spatial Organization
The 3,336 ft² single-floor layout is composed of four intersecting shed-roofed bars, forming the distinctive octothorpe plan. This structure divides the home into private and public wings while establishing eight internal and external courtyards that allow daylight and ventilation to penetrate every room.
Each room opens to at least one courtyard, ensuring cross-ventilation and a constant visual connection to the desert sky. The plan eliminates traditional corridors, instead creating a fluid sequence of interlinked spaces—a dynamic yet efficient way to live within a modest footprint.
When the sliding doors open, the house becomes fully porous, dissolving the boundaries between indoor and outdoor space. During winter, passive solar heating through large glazed openings maintains warmth while preserving the visual openness of the design.
Sustainable Construction & Performance
Built from Cross-Laminated Timber, Octothorpe House embodies a low-carbon design ethos. All panels were pre-cut off-site from SFI/COC-certified wood, bonded with low-VOC adhesives in a Montana plant to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.
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Carbon footprint: ~25 metric tons of carbon embodied within the structure
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Carbon savings: ~15 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided through CLT construction
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Exterior: Clad in Shou Sugi Ban cedar—charred wood that is water-resistant, insect-repellent, and nearly maintenance-free
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Insulation: Achieved naturally through solid CLT walls and deep roof overhangs
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Energy control: South-facing rooms feature operable solar shades for climate modulation
This combination of natural materials and passive systems ensures that Octothorpe House performs efficiently year-round, blending modern building science with the ecological wisdom of vernacular desert architecture.
Interior Design & Atmosphere
The interiors reflect Donald Judd’s minimalist aesthetic, inspired by the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas. The palette draws directly from the surrounding desert: muted browns, sandy tones, and ashen greys echo the landscape outside.
Walls, ceilings, and floors are composed almost entirely of exposed CLT panels made of pine, spruce, and fir with a natural oiled finish, providing both acoustic comfort and a warm visual consistency.
In collaboration with wood artist Yvonne Mouser, Mork-Ulnes created a custom coffee table inspired by the “Three Sisters” peaks—three sculptural Douglas fir blocks charred and set beneath a glass top, resembling geological strata emerging from the earth.
Simple wool, felt, leather, and timber furnishings complement the serene geometry of the architecture, reinforcing the sense of calm and permanence.
Environmental Integration
The courtyards—central to both function and form—act as microclimates within the desert landscape. They introduce daylight and cross-breezes while providing sheltered outdoor rooms that evolve with the seasons. Native plants, rocks, and shrubs blur the line between designed landscape and wilderness, making the house feel anchored yet ephemeral.
Viewed from above, Octothorpe House resembles an abstract desert glyph—a symbol of intersection and connection, mirroring the clients’ vision for a life interwoven with nature and community.
Octothorpe House by Mork-Ulnes Architects exemplifies the next generation of sustainable residential architecture—where precision, flexibility, and ecological sensitivity converge. Its cross-shaped plan, expressive use of CLT, and Shou Sugi Ban exterior create a residence that is both technically advanced and deeply rooted in its landscape.
This is not merely a house in Oregon’s desert; it is a living framework for climate-conscious design—a bold yet serene testament to modern timber architecture.
