What is Bandon Modern?

The Signature Design Language of the Oregon Coast — Pioneered by Brett Perkins, Christopher Bell, Mark Giles & Darren Sandeno.

Clark Webber
May 16, 2025

Tucked between wind-sculpted dunes and the edge of the Pacific, a new architectural language is taking shape on the Oregon Coast. Bandon Modern is more than a style—it’s a way of building that honors the wild beauty, resilience, and heritage of the region. Defined by clean lines, weathered materials, and a seamless integration with nature, Bandon Modern represents a thoughtful departure from traditional coastal design. It’s grounded in a belief that structures should complement the landscape, not compete with it.

Born in Bandon, Oregon—where world-class golf, rugged cliffs, and stormy skies meet—this movement blends modernist simplicity with Pacific Northwest warmth. Think cedar shakes aged by salt air, shed-style rooflines that mirror the horizon, and interior spaces that open to sea mist and Sitka spruce.

At its core, Bandon Modern isn’t just about architecture. It’s about lifestyle—slow mornings, open spaces, and deep respect for the land. Whether you’re a builder, investor, or someone dreaming of a legacy retreat, Bandon Modern offers a fresh, regionally rooted vision of coastal living. It is place-specific, environmentally conscious, and built to endure.

This is the future of the Oregon Coast. Quietly bold. Unmistakably Bandon.

Origins

Bandon Modern was born out of a need for an architectural identity that could reflect the soul of Oregon’s rugged south coast. For years, coastal construction defaulted to generic designs that ignored the power, beauty, and fragility of the landscape. Developers at Perk Development, led by Brett Perkins; Architects at DLR Group, led by Christopher Bell and Mark Giles; and Landscape Architect & Civil Engineer, Darren Sandeno from Parametrix, sought to change that—pioneering a new design philosophy inspired by the environment itself.

Drawing influence from Pacific Northwest modernism, Scandinavian restraint, and the humble cabins that dot the coastline, Bandon Modern emerged as a response to both place and purpose. It’s a style forged by wind and water, built from materials that weather gracefully—like cedar, steel, glass, and native stone. Rooflines mimic the angle of the dunes. Structures are low-slung and grounded, built to sit within the land, not above it.

The term “Bandon Modern” came to represent more than an aesthetic—it’s a commitment to timeless design, environmental stewardship, and authentic regional expression. It honors tradition without nostalgia, and welcomes innovation without pretense.

As demand grows for meaningful, place-based architecture, Bandon Modern is establishing itself not just as a style, but as the defining voice of the Oregon Coast’s next chapter.

Defining Characteristics

Bandon Modern is defined by its intentional simplicity, rugged durability, and deep connection to the landscape. At first glance, it may feel understated—but look closer, and the details reveal a quiet sophistication rooted in place.

Materials are foundational. Weathered cedar shakes, blackened steel & Corten steel, crosscut black lava, natural basalt stone, Mass Timber, and expansive glass blend seamlessly with the coastal palette. Green roofs planted with dune grass not only echo the surrounding environment—they help buildings disappear into it.

Form and function are equally prioritized. Shed-style and butterfly roofs channel wind and rain efficiently while offering bold silhouettes that feel both modern and timeless. Homes are often designed as low-profile volumes, minimizing disruption to sightlines, sand dunes, and native vegetation.

Spatial layout reflects a coastal lifestyle—open interiors with clean lines, indoor-outdoor transitions, covered porches, and generous use of natural light. Window placement frames views intentionally, with an emphasis on horizon, fog, and forest.

Color palettes remain muted: driftwood grays, charcoal blacks, stormy blues, and earth tones that complement the natural setting.

Bandon Modern resists ornamentation. Instead, it elevates craftsmanship, proportion, and restraint. It is not architecture meant to impress—it’s architecture meant to endure, breathe, and belong.

The Lifestyle it Reflects

Bandon Modern is more than a design style—it’s a way of living shaped by the rhythms of the Oregon Coast. It reflects a lifestyle rooted in simplicity, self-reliance, and a deep reverence for nature. These homes are designed for people who value experience over excess, privacy over pretension, and connection over convenience.

Living in a Bandon Modern home means waking up to the sound of surf and wind in the pines. It’s mornings spent walking misty trails, afternoons fly fishing or surfing, and evenings gathered around a fire with friends and family. The design encourages this connection to the outdoors—blurring the line between inside and out, creating spaces that open to decks, dunes, and sky.

It attracts those who are drawn to slower living: artists, surfers, writers, conservationists, and adventure-seekers. Whether used as a full-time residence, retreat, or legacy property, a Bandon Modern home is a place to unplug, unwind, and rediscover what matters.

This lifestyle isn’t just about architecture—it’s about intention. It invites you to live with awareness, to build with purpose, and to align your home with the natural world around you. It’s quiet luxury, redefined through authenticity, resilience, and a sense of place.

Examples of Bandon Modern

The spirit of Bandon Modern comes to life in a range of coastal projects—from private residences tucked into the dunes to vision-driven resort concepts and commercial spaces with purpose. Each project reflects a shared philosophy: build with intention, celebrate the land, and design for longevity.

At Gravel Point, a coastal retreat envisioned by Perk Development, the architecture disappears into the headlands. Homes feature green roofs planted with native grasses, charred cedar cladding, and panoramic glass walls that open to sea spray and salt air. The layout prioritizes privacy and immersion in nature, with footpaths leading through dune grass and driftwood to secluded beaches.

In town, smaller-scale infill projects reinterpret the Bandon Modern aesthetic for residential living—shed-roof cottages and townhomes with minimal footprints and maximum character. Materials are local, and designs respond to sun, wind, and topography.

Hospitality prototypes like Pony Creek Point reflect the next evolution of the style—merging modern architecture with eco-tourism, regenerative landscaping, and immersive coastal experiences.

Whether applied to a family home, artist retreat, or destination resort, Bandon Modern adapts without losing its soul. It’s not a cookie-cutter style—it’s a set of values expressed in form, material, and place.

Why it Matters

Bandon Modern isn’t just a style—it’s a response. A response to overdevelopment, to climate vulnerability, and to the loss of regional identity in modern architecture. In a time when too many coastal communities are being shaped by generic design and short-term thinking, Bandon Modern offers a different path—one that values place, purpose, and permanence.

This architectural approach matters because it protects what makes the Oregon Coast special. By embracing low-impact siting, natural materials, and ecological sensitivity, Bandon Modern homes help preserve view corridors, native vegetation, and fragile dune ecosystems. It’s a model for how to build with nature, not against it.

Culturally, Bandon Modern matters because it gives this region a voice. It creates a visual language that reflects the history, climate, and character of coastal Oregon. It attracts those who care about authenticity—residents, builders, and investors alike.

And long-term, it adds value—not just financial, but generational. These homes are built to last, to adapt, and to be passed down. They’re not trends. They’re legacies.

Bandon Modern matters because it dares to ask the question: What if our homes could feel like they’ve always belonged here?

How to Build or Invest in Bandon Modern

Bandon Modern is not just for architects or design purists—it’s accessible to anyone who shares a vision for intentional, place-based living. Whether you’re building your dream retreat, planning a hospitality venture, or exploring investment opportunities along the Oregon Coast, there’s a path forward.

For landowners, Perk Development offers custom design-build services and land partnerships that bring Bandon Modern to life—maximizing land value while preserving its character. Our team can help assess your site, navigate entitlements, and design a home or project that reflects the landscape and your long-term goals.

For buyers, turn-key Bandon Modern homes and curated developments offer a chance to own a piece of architectural legacy—thoughtfully sited, expertly built, and crafted to endure the coast’s elements and energy.

For investors, the demand for authentic, low-density coastal real estate is growing. Bandon Modern’s blend of sustainability, regional identity, and lifestyle appeal makes it a compelling opportunity for long-hold residential, resort, and eco-luxury ventures.

Building in this style isn’t about square footage—it’s about soul. Whether you're creating a single home or a community, Bandon Modern offers a platform for design with integrity and development with purpose.

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About Perk Development

Perk Development is an aspirational real estate development firm that specializes in land enhancement and community restoration in coastal and mountain destinations across the Western United States.

To receive a Bandon Modern Commercial & Residential Design Standards Toolkit, or to inquire about upcoming investment & sales opportunities, please email info@perkdevelopment.com.