![A modern black house in the forest is spread out across multiple levels.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-black-house-steep-slope-forest-251023-1223-01.jpg)
William / Kaven Architecture has sent us photos of a home they completed in Portland, Oregon, that’s part of a collection of private residences perched on several steeply sloped sites within Forest Park, a 5,000-acre woodland.
![A modern black house in the forest is spread out across multiple levels.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-black-house-steep-slope-forest-251023-1223-02.jpg)
A simple material palette of dark steel, concrete, glass, and custom bronze-black cladding grounds the house within the surrounding treescape.
![A modern black house in the forest has a green roof and is spread out across multiple levels.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-black-house-steep-slope-forest-251023-1223-03.jpg)
Of the project, W/K partner Daniel Kaven says, “The ongoing aesthetic vision for the development is to create a collection of homes unified in materiality and design ethos, but distinct in their floor plans and overall execution. The homes are meant to read as iterations on a theme, connected by a unifying thread.”
![A modern black house on a steep site in the forest is spread out across multiple levels.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-black-house-in-the-forest-251023-1215-01.jpg)
From the road, the home seems small, however, due to its design, it’s actually spread out over multiple levels, with the top layer home to the garage and entryway.
![A modern black house with a garage that includes floor-to-ceiling windows.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-garage-with-windows-251023-1204-01.jpg)
![A modern black house with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass front door.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-entryway-front-door-251023-1204-01.jpg)
The glass front door opens to a sitting room filled with an abundance of natural light and views of a green roof.
![A modern sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to a green roof and forest.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/foyer-sitting-room-floor-to-ceiling-windows-251023-1205-01.jpg)
Stairs lead from the sitting room down to the main living level of the home.
![Stairs connect the multiple levels of this modern home with a black exterior.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-stairs-251023-1206-01.jpg)
![Stairs connect the multiple levels of this modern home with a black exterior.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-stairs-251023-1206-02.jpg)
The main living level of the home includes a large kitchen, which was designed for the owner, a renowned Paleo chef and bestselling food writer whose virtual home cooking demonstrations attract a large international following. The landscape, visible through large windows above the counter, serves as a spectacular backdrop for her branded video courses and food photography.
![A large and modern kitchen with wood cabinets and light countertop.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-kitchen-living-room-251023-1210-01.jpg)
The living room is anchored by a plush Tufty-Time Sofa from B&B Italia and heavy nesting Moroso Phoenix tables, while a paprika-colored Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll adds a punch of color in the corner of the room.
![This modern living room is anchored by a plush Tufty-Time Sofa from B&B Italia and heavy nesting Moroso Phoenix tables, while a paprika-colored Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll adds a punch of color in the corner of the room.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-living-room-floor-to-ceiling-windows-251023-1210-01.jpg)
For the dining area, William / Kaven selected a Tom Dixon pendant lamp, as well as chairs from Antonio Citterio’s Jens collection in brushed light oak and thick embossed black leather.
![This modern dining area includes a Tom Dixon pendant lamp, as well as chairs from Antonio Citterio’s Jens collection in brushed light oak and thick embossed black leather.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-dining-area-custom-shelving-251023-1210-01.jpg)
This room opens onto a terrace with an al fresco dining area and aluminum seating arranged around a substantial concrete fire table by RH.
![This modern house has a dining area that opens onto a terrace with an al fresco dining area and aluminum seating arranged around a substantial concrete fire table by RH.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-black-house-balcony-251023-1214-01.jpg)
Back inside, we can see the primary bedroom is also located on this level, which opens up to a private sun deck.
![A modern primary bedroom with a sliding glass door that opens up to a private sun deck.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-bedroom-with-balcony-251023-1202-01.jpg)
In the ensuite bathroom, a freestanding bathtub is positioned in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, while a double vanity is located below a large mirror.
![In this modern ensuite bathroom, a freestanding bathtub is positioned in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, while a double vanity is located below a large mirror.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-bathroom-freestanding-bathtub-251023-1201-01.jpg)
The stairs continue from the main level down to the lowest level of the home, where a TV room, home office, and guest rooms are located.
![A modern living room that opens to a patio.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-living-room-251023-1214-01.jpg)
![A modern home office.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-home-office-251023-1215-01.jpg)
These rooms open to a patio furnished with outdoor furniture, and the forest beyond.
![A modern black house with rooms that open to a patio furnished with outdoor furniture, and the forest beyond.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-black-house-patio-251023-1219-01.jpg)
![A modern black house with rooms that open to a patio furnished with outdoor furniture, and the forest beyond.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/modern-black-house-patio-251023-1219-02.jpg)