Robert Harvey Oshatz

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Robert Harvey Oshatz, born October 3, 1945, is an American architect based in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was born in Los Angeles, California, studied architecture at Arizona State University, and apprenticed at the Los Angeles Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr. He started his own practice, Robert Harvey Oshatz Architect, in Portland in 1971. His work is best known for organic forms that blend with the landscape, extensive use of wood and other natural materials, and a strong emphasis on sustainable design. The projects have gained international recognition and have often been described as spaceship-like or intricately woven into their site.

Yaacov Bergman, former music director of the Portland Chamber Orchestra, has described Oshatz-designed homes as “the visualization of a musical composition.” One notable project is the Wilkinson Residence in Portland (completed 2007), which features sweeping curves, abundant wood, and large glass walls that reveal views of the surrounding forest. Oshatz believes architecture should continue nature rather than separate from it, drawing inspiration from natural forms to create harmony and tranquility. Interiors are often designed from the inside out, with angled surfaces to enhance acoustics for the space’s intended use. He is a proponent of sustainable architecture, using eco-friendly materials and technologies such as ground-source heat pumps to reduce environmental impact.