FOREWORD

K E V I N VA L K
PA R T N E R , D E S I G N D I R E C T O R
HOLST / PORTLAND, OREGONWESTERN RED CEDAR HAS
AN IMPRESSIVE RANGEA N D V E R S AT I L I T Y A S A
B U I L D I N G M AT E R I A L B E C A U S E O F
I T S WA R M T H , T E X T U R E , D U R AB I L I T Y A N D A F F O R D A B I L I T Y. T H I S
I S D E M O N S T R AT E D W E L L B Y T H E
TWO HOLST PROJECTS IN THISB O O K— T H E M I X E D - U S E C O M M E R CIAL DEVELOPMENT ONE NORTHA N D T H E P R I V AT E R E S I D E N C E
THE KARUNA HOUSE. WESTERNR E D C E D A R A L L O W E D U S T O E XPRESS TWO VERY DIFFERENT DES I G N C O N C E P T S AT V E R Y D I F F E R ENT SCALES TO SERVE DIVERSEFUNCTIONS WHILE MEETING THE
H I G H E S T S TA N D A R D S F O R E N V I R O N M E N TA L R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y.

As Design Director at Holst, I promote a

Holst is committed to sustainable design

belief that a big idea informs and prioritizes

and construction. In many of our projects,

design solutions and ensures that a complete

working in wood, and local cedar in particular,

design concept guides the project from ideas

enables us to explore new ideas with eco-through construction. Our design philosophy

nomic and environmental efficiency withoutbalances formal notions of scale, propor-

compromising craft. The results reﬂect ourtion, and materiality with the client’s needs,

design pursuit of clarity, balance, and authen-goals, and aspirations to create spaces andticity — to create buildings that are a source ofbuildings that resonate with its occupants andcreative inspiration for our clients, end users,

its surroundings. A project must be appropri-and communities.

ately designed for its site and location, and it
should make a positive and lasting impression
on the users. The choice of building materials has a significant impact on the people
who experience the building on a daily basis;cedar adds a distinct warmth, texture, andconnection to nature. In the Pacific Northwest,
cedar provides a sense of connection to our
local surroundings as a defining element of
our natural environment.

07

Skyline House
Oakland, California
USA

Newberg Residence
Newberg, Oregon
USA

17
23

Karuna House
Newberg, Oregon
USA

Avocado Acres House
Encinitas, California
USA

33
39

Arbutus House
Vancouver Island,
British Columbia
CANADA

Tetra House
Austin, Texas
USA

COMMERCIALRESIDENTIAL

01

47
51

One NorthPortland, Oregon
USA

Scottsdale’s
Museum of the West:
Western Spirit
Scottsdale, Arizona
USA

13

Hoke Residence
Portland, Oregon
USA

29

Sea Bright House
Sea Bright, New Jersey
USA

43

High Meadow
at Fallingwater
Mill Run, Pennsylvania
USA

57

ECCO Hotel &Conference Centre
Tønder, Syddanmark(Southern Denmark)
DENMARK01

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, US

SkylineHouse
AESTHETICS
WITH HARMONY

B

ookended by large redwood trees on
two longitudinal sides of the property,
one of the main challenges for thisproject was creating unobstructed views of
the San Francisco Bay in a way that harmoniz-architectTERRY & TERRY ARCHITECTURE

clientY O U N G F A M I LY

structural engineer
SANTOS & URRUTIASTRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

general contractor

es with the surrounding woodlands.
“The design consists of shrouding the main
ﬂoor common space in a wood tube that connects the garden in the front to the viewing
deck oﬀ the living space at the rear,” explains
lead architect Ivan Terry. “The roof of the tube
form is warped out, creating a large ventilation volume for the living space. The form

LY N D E N C O N S T R U C T I O N ( P H A S E 1 ) ,CAISTOR CONSTRUCTION (PHASE2)

echoes the wisps of the coastal fog ﬂowing
inward, thus cooling the interior with the after-

photographynoon breezes. The main ﬂoor common space

BRUCE DAMONTE PHOTOGRAPHY

becomes the connector of the two contrasting

project typeoutdoor spaces.”

S I N G L E F A M I LY R E S I D E N T I A L

1 | TH E CEDAR BOOK V OL . XI

REA L CED A R | 2

Since the open-plan family home sits

For the interior, Terry turned to Western

about 1,500 feet above sea level, the exterior

Red Cedar to maximize the beauty of thefaces some extreme weather and dramatichome’s most stand-out feature: the wavy

temperature swings. So choosing a building

ceiling. As Terry points out, cedar is not only

material that can stand up to the elements

beautiful, but also surprisingly lightweight andwas paramount. Which is one of the reasonseasy to work with.

Terry incorporated durable Western Red Cedar into the exterior palette. He also wanted amaterial that was aesthetically in tune with the
project’s vision.
“The Western Red Cedar enhanced ourconcept of the wood tube form nestled in thetrees,” says Terry of cedar’s innate ability to be
as one with nature.

C u r ve a p p e a l
The wavy Western Red Cedar
ceiling on this project is anarchitectural show-stopper.

“The T&G cedar siding is ﬂexible in the ﬂat
direction, which enabled us to form the main
ﬂoor ceiling.”
For Terry and the homeowners, Western
Red Cedar was an obvious choice from theget-go. “Our clients were very much onboard
with using Western Red Cedar from the initialconcept stages of the design,” he says, add-All-season stunnering, “and they’re very thrilled on how the WRC

Rain or shine, Western Red Cedar’s
top-performing characteristics
make it an excellent choice forexterior applications.

has enhanced the design and love the feel ofthe space.”

Creating a connection
Using naturally beautiful Western Red
Cedar for the ceiling and soffit systemcreated a sense of harmony with thesurrounding landscape.

WESTERN RED CEDARS P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade
K D G R A D E ‘ A’ C L E A R V E R T I C A L G R A I N

size
1 X 4 T&G

fastening
BLIND NAIL

applied finish
T R A N S PA R E N T S TA I N

In plain view
The main living space extends out onto
an open deck, maximizing views of the
San Fransisco Bay.
3 | TH E CEDAR BOOK V OL . XI

REA L CED A R | 4

WE HAVE USED WESTERN RED CEDAR IN
SEVERAL OF OUR PROJECTS. THE WOODIS EASY TO WORK WITH AND DURABLEYET LIGHTWEIGHT. IT GIVES THE SPACEA DELIGHTFUL WARM GLOW.”A L E X T E R RY, A I A

A n d t h e w i n n e r i s ...
Combining innovative architectural theory
and practice, Skyline House took home top
honors in the Real Cedar category at thisyear’s Wood Design Awards.

5 | TH E CEDAR BOOK V OL . XI

REA L CED A R | 6

02
Newberg
Residence
HOUSE& H A B I TATNEWBERG, OREGON, US

B

ridging over a large pond and nestled
in a deep forest, the Newberg Residence sets a new architectural stan-

dard in integrating house and habitat. That’s
because from the beginning, architects James
Cutler and Meghan Griswold approached the
project as if house and pond were a single
entity, in which the owners can enjoy the wild
creatures that come to the water on both
regular and varied schedules. With large vertical-lift windows, the homeowners can diveright into the water from their living room orarchitectJ A M E S C U T L E R , FA I A ( D E S I G N ) ;MEGHAN GRISWOLD (PROJECT)

clientCAREY CRITCHLOW& MICHAEL ETZEL

structural engineer

they can just sit back and watch the show.
“This one bedroom residence allows
the owners to have a strong emotional connection to the living world,” explains
James Cutler, FAIA.
In addition to honoring the forest atmo-

MADDEN BAUGHMAN ENGINEERING

sphere, the owners wanted a structure thatgeneral contractor

could stand up to the elements. As a natural

R & H CONSTRUCTION

choice for siding, decking and dock, thephotography

designers and owners opted for Western Red

JEREMY BITTERMANN

Cedar — a building material that is naturally

project typeresistant to rot, decay and insects.

S I N G L E F A M I LY R E S I D E N C E

7 | TH E CEDAR BOOK V OL . XI

REA L CED A R | 8

Ta ke i t o u t s i d eWestern Red Cedar wasused throughout thisproject to help blur thelines between interior
and exterior.

Visitors welcome
To enable guests to experience the place,
the guest house is connected by an outdoor
covered walkway.

WESTERN RED CEDAR“Our basic design philosophy is to reveal what is true

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S

about all of the circumstances of a project,” says Cutler,
who also used some WRC on the interior walls. “The useof Western Red Cedar for an exterior finish was a natural

grade

choice for its beauty, durability in a damp climate, and( E X T E R I O R & I N T E R I O R ) K D S E L E C T K N O T T Y;
( D E C K I N G ) K D ‘ A’ C L E A R

ability to weather.”size

Large roof overhangs were designed to shelter the glass
and vertical wooden surfaces of the building. For exterior
finishes, they agreed the best option was to let the cedar
weather naturally, eventually turning a beautiful silvery patina.
“The homeowners wanted a home which hugged thelandscape, was minimally invasive and emotionally rich,” says

(DECKING) 2 X 6; (SIDING) 1 X 10 BOARD& 1 X 2 B AT T E N ; ( I N T E R I O R ) 1 X 1 0

fastening
S TA I N L E S S S T E E L

applied finish(EXTERIOR) NONE
( I N T E R I O R ) T R A N S PA R E N T S TA I N

Cutler. “This connection to the living world is what brought
WRC to mind as an exterior and interior material choice.”

9 | TH E CEDAR BOOK V OL . XI

REA L CED A R | 1 0

WESTERN RED CEDARWAS USED AS A SIDING
MATERIAL AND LEFT
UNFINISHED SO AS TO
WEATHER WITH AGE,
ALLOWING THE HOMETO BLEND INTO ITSWOODLAND ENVIRONMENT.”
CUTLER ANDERSON ARCHITECTS

Bring it on home
Newberg Residence was recently awarded an American Institute ofArchitects 2016 Housing Award for excellence in housing design.

1 1 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 1 2

03
Hoke
Residence
D R A M AT I C
STRUCTURAL
EXPRESSIONPORTLAND, OREGON, USI

f Hoke Residence looks oddly familiar
to you, then you were probably parenting a tween circa 2008/2010 — either

that or you’re an overage fan of young adultfiction. Yes, this is the house featured in the
Twilight series. Celebrity status aside though,this home is dramatic by design. Originally a
speculative project, Skylab Architecture set
out to make a statement that would appeal toa broad spectrum of potential clients.

architect“The home features daring cantilevers,

SKYLAB ARCHITECTURE

advanced building systems and controls,clientand cutting edge details — yet the surfaces,

JOHN & KAREN HOKE

textures and spaces are natural and intuitive,”

structural engineer

explains Jeﬀ Kovel, Skylab founding principal.

FROELICH ENGINEERING“Daylight and electric light play quietly against

general contractor

the warmth and textures of natural materials,

METCALF CONSTRUCTION/ GREEN GABLES

but are modulated by surprising and inspiring

photographydwelling’s ﬂowing spaces, moving between

BOONE SPEED &JEREMY BITTERMANN

crisp and deftly angular details, and framed

project typeRESIDENTIAL

1 3 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

geometries. This duality is mirrored in theviews of the forest canopy or the primevalboulders upslope.”

REA L CED A R | 1 4

Causing a sensation

To make volumes even more striking, theThe residence provides a venue
for interplay between the vibrantoutdoor environment and dramaticinterior spaces.

Skylab team needed an exceptional building
material — one that’s striking enough to contrast the black mass on the first ﬂoor but also
earthy enough to complement the surrounding woodland. They chose naturally beautiful
Western Red Cedar, a pitch and resin-free
species that accepts and holds a wide rangeof finishes beautifully.
“We clad the cantilevered volume on thesecond ﬂoor on all sides in cedar to highlightit visually, and make a conceptual connection to the surrounding forest,” says Kovel,
who specified a clear grade to enhance
the contemporary aesthetic of the project.
Considering this secluded Portland gem got
Hollywood’s attention, Skylab clearly madethe right design choices on all fronts.
“The Hoke residence is an iconic homethat was subsequently featured in the Twilightmovie series,” says Kovel, before adding,“And we believe the forested location andthe choice of cedar to highlight the dramatic
structural expression is responsible for this.”

WESTERN RED CEDARS P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

fastening

K D ‘ A’ C L E A R

S TA I N L E S S S T E E L
SIDING NAILS

size
1 X 4 V-GROOVE
T&G

applied finish
T R A N S PA R E N T
S TA I N

THE CEDAR IS HOLDING UP BEAUTIFULLYAND MINIMAL MAINTENANCE HAS
BEEN REQUIRED.”J E F F KOV E L , A I A

1 5 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

Wo o d e d w o n d e r
At once urban and wild, theresidence is in harmony with,and a reflection of, its location
at the border of Portland andForest Park.

REA L CED A R | 1 6

04
KarunaHouse
WHERE
FORM MEETSS U S TA I N A B I LT Y

NEWBERG, OREGON, USW

hy meet the standards of one
internationally recognized,
green building rating system…

when you can meet the standards of threeinternationally recognized, green building
rating systems? It’s a lofty goal, and one that
Holst Architecture and their client set — andmet — when they designed Karuna House,a project that now serves as a case study
on how to satisfy the many requirements ofdiﬀerent environmental certifications.

architect
HOLST ARCHITECTURE

clientERIC LEMELSON“Karuna is the first MINERGIE-certified
building in North America, earning the top
rating of MINERGIE-P-ECO,” explains Holst
senior associate and sustainability director,

structural engineer

Cory Hawbecker. “Additionally, it has achieved

FROELICH STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

Passive House PHIUS+, LEED for Homes

general contractor

Platinum, and Net Zero energy use by incor-

HAMMER & HAND

porating onsite solar panels. It is expected

photography

to be one of the few homes in the world

JEREMY BITTERMAN& JEFF AMRAM

certified by both MINERGIE and Passive

project typeS I N G L E - F A M I LY R E S I D E N C E

1 7 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XIHouse Institute US, and is the first to earn all
three certifications.”

REA L CED A R | 1 8

In addition to that, the Holst team needed

As well as complementing the property’s

to balance all these sustainability require-natural surroundings, they wanted a material

ments with a rigorous contemporary form thatthat would add warmth and texture to the

responds to the client’s programmatic needs.

design’s clean lines, a material that accepts

Here’s how they did it.

and holds stains beautifully, a material that

“Two towers anchor the Karuna House
to the earth, marking the location of double-height spaces and the internal stair,” says
Hawbecker. “Wood and glass volumes that
contain the living spaces are arranged around

met all their stringent environmental criteria.
Western Red Cedar delivered on all counts,
and as Hawbecker recalls, getting everyone
on board with this choice wasn’t a toughsell at all.

the towers to maximize views to the south“The client was familiar with Westernand east while graciously separating social

Red Cedar, and supported its selection

spaces from the private and guest spaces.

throughout the design process,” says

Sited in an area famous for its rust-colored

Hawbecker, adding, “The client is pleased

soil, the home’s exterior palette is composedwith the finished product.”

WESTERN RED CEDAR’S TEXTURE
REFLECTS THE PROJECT’S
NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.”of materials and colors that reﬂect the tonesof its surroundings.”

C O RY H AW B E C K E R , A I A , C P H C , L E E D A P

The green go-to
Sustainable Western Red
Cedar was used for decking
and siding for its beautyand durability.

Creating a scene
Wood and glass volumes that
contain the living spaces arearranged to maximize thespectacular views of the hills
and town of Newberg, Oregon.
1 9 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 2 0

WESTERN RED CEDARS P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

fastening

KD SELECT KNOTTY

CONCEALED

size

applied finish(SIDING) 1 X 4 FINE LINE T&G(DECKING) 2 X 6

S E M I - T R A N S PA R E N T
S TA I N

Making a statement
The award-winning project may
have a humble footprint, but it
has a bold presence.

Inner beauty
The interior finishes cast a warm
minimalism saturated in naturallight, allowing the owner’s eclectic
art collection to take center stage.

2 1 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 2 2

05

E N C I N I TA S , C A L I F O R N I A , U S

Avocado AcresHouse
HANDMADE
MODERNISM

architectDesigned by Lloyd Russell AIA and
Steve Hoiles of Surfside Projects,
this brand new, mid-century modern

LLOYD RUSSELL, AIA

inﬂuenced beach house is all about theclientrooﬂines. The dramatic curvilinear feature

SURFSIDE PROJECTS

connects individual pavilions to a common

structural engineer

courtyard, blurring inside and outside to make

QUALLS ENGINEERING

the house live larger than its actual square

general contractor
ALLIANCE GREEN BUILDERSd e ve l o p e r & d e s i g n e r

footage. Furthermore, the clerestory glass
above the muscular concrete exterior walls
make the roof look like it’s ﬂoating and fram-

SURFSIDE PROJECTS,STEVE HOILES

ing the sky for stargazers.

photographylayout fit for a cool surfing town just north

DARREN BRADLEYAs well as boasting a funky open styledof San Diego, this single level, U-shaped

project typehome is an outstanding achievement in

S P E C U L AT I V E S I N G L E
F A M I LY R E S I D E N C E

green building.

2 3 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 2 4

MY GOAL IS TO MAKE HANDMADE
MODERNISM. THE WARMTH AND DEPTH
OF CEDAR HELPS ME ACHIEVE THAT.”
L L OY D RU S S E L L , A I A“This home is 26% more efficient thana standard new home built to the current
California Building Codes,” explains Hoiles,
principal of Surfside Projects. “We used asolar thermal panel on the roof to heatdomestic hot water, light colored metal roofthat reﬂects the sun’s heat, the building envelope is air tight, super insulated with recycledcellulose (paper) in all stud walls includinginterior walls, integrated passive design elements like large overhangs to prevent solar
heat gain and cross ventilation, to cool thehouse without using any power.”

2 5 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

Eco warrior

Material matters

Like all Surfside Projects Homes,
the Avocado House is built anddesigned in accordance with the moststringent green building practices.

Using sustainable building materials suchas Western Red Cedar played a key role inhelping the owner and architect meet theirenvironmental goals with this project.
REA L CED A R | 2 6

When it came to the ceiling and siding,

For the developer, Steve Hoiles, cedar met

they needed a building material that is sus-

all his criteria in that its tonal mosaic is natural-

tainable, but also something that honors thely beautiful, and it’s termite resistant as well as

spirit of the artisan coastal community. They

low maintenance. It’s also pitch and resin-freealso factored in color rendition, versatility andso it accepts and holds a wide range of finish-value. In the end, they chose Western Red Ce-

es beautifully, and as Hoiles explains, cedar

dar: a knotty grade for the exterior, which they

possesses certain qualities that no man-madestained in a brown/black tone, and a clear

material can ever duplicate.

grade for the soffit, which they left natural.

“Cedar just oozes soul.”

2 7 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XIVisual property

WESTERN RED CEDAR

A knotty grade of cedar siding wasused to add texture and contrast
nicely with the smooth muscularaesthetic of the concrete masses.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

fastening( S O F F I T & C E I L I N G ) K D ‘ A’ C L E A R(SIDING) KD SELECT KNOTTYS TA I N L E S S S T E E L

size(SIDING) 1 X 8 CHANNEL(SOFFIT/CEILING) 1 X 6 T&G

applied finish( S O F F I T / C E I L I N G ) T R A N S PA R E N T S O L I D( S I D I N G ) S E M I - S O L I D S TA I N

REA L CED A R | 2 8

06
Sea BrightHouse
WARMTH& FAMILIARITYS E A B R I G H T, N E W J E R S E Y, U S

W

ith the Navesink River to the Westof this site, the charming town of
Sea Bright to the South, New York

City to the North and, of course, the Atlantic
Ocean to the East, there is no shortage ofviews to behold here. But since there arehomes between this expansive lot and thebeach, sight lines were not a given.
So when architect Jeﬀ Jordan came on
board, the main programmatic challenge
for him was working around these potential
obstructions in order to provide as many
views as possible. He did this by maxing out

architect
JEFF JORDAN ARCHITECTS

clientPROFESSIONAL COUPLE

structural engineer
PERSIMMON ENGINEERING

general contractor
INGALLS CUSTOM CONTRACTING

photography
GREGORY MAKA

project type
V A C AT I O N H O M E

the allowable zoning height and incorporating
not one, not two, but three roof decks, eachoﬀering a diﬀerent outlook and experience.
“The first is adjacent to the kitchen andliving area on the second ﬂoor and includes
a large table and grill overlooking the ocean,”
explains Jordan. “The second is adjacent toa small mezzanine office on the third ﬂoor
and overlooks the river, and as a bonus, theocean can be seen through the house. It also
oﬀers a windbreak and additional shade inorder to remain useful throughout the year
in any weather.”

2 9 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 3 0

“The final roof deck is the main event,”
he continues, “as the culmination of four
ﬂights of stairs and with unobstructed
views in all directions. Extensive seating

In full view
The ingenuity of the program
allows occupants to see theocean from multiple positionsin and out of the house.

and a wet bar make this a great spot for
cocktail hour.”In terms of building materials for allthese stunning outdoor living spaces,
Jordan chose Western Red Cedar on justabout every surface of the exterior fromsiding to the ceiling at the entryway tothe roof decks.
Hit the decks

WESTERN RED CEDAR

The house can be summed up as acollection of three roof decks, each offeringa different view and experience.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

K D ‘ A’ C L E A R

size(SIDING) 1 X 4 T&G(DECKING) 2 X 4

fastening

S TA I N L E S S S T E E L

appliedfinishNONE“We are big fans of Western Red Cedarand use it in many of our projects forthe combination of a warm and familiar
appearance and weather/rot resistance,”says Jordan. “I think the project would
have a very diﬀerent appearance if we had
used another material. The cedar is such aprominent part of the look of the house.”

CEDAR IS SUCH A PROMINENT PART OF THE HOUSE’S LOOK AND IT
WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO FIND ANOTHER MATERIAL THATHAS BOTH A NATURAL APPEARANCE AND CAN WEATHER NATURALLYOVER TIME.”
JEFF JORDAN

3 1 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 3 2

07
ArbutusHouse
C E L E B R AT I N G
THE LANDSCAPEVA N C O U V E R I S L A N D , C A N A D AWhen building a family home,
guesthouse, and garage on asteep, narrow, crescent shaped

mountain ridge, the site really dictates thedesign. This is how Blue Sky Architecture
approached this stunning series of curved,
cedar-clad pavilions.
architect
KIM SMITH + BO HELLIWELL,HELLIWELL + SMITH• BLUE SKY ARCHITECTURE

clientRETIRED COUPLE

structural engineer
CARLOS CHIU, CHIU HIPPMANNENGINEERING“Organic forms were created by integrating
the building with the landscape, producing
sensual and embracing spaces that break
down barriers between the exterior environment and natural built form,” explains Kim
Smith, Architect AIBC, FRAIC. “Open, unimpeded views and accordion-fold doors allow
the interior and exterior spaces to blend. We

general contractor

also included large, semi-sheltered outdoor

R O B PA R S O N S , R PA R S O N S
C O N S T R U C T I O N LT D .

rooms to create year-round opportunities tophotography

sheltered from rain, wind, and sun.”

H E AT H M O F F AT T
& PETER POWLES PHOTOGRAPHY

project typeS I N G L E - F A M I LY R E S I D E N C E& GUEST HOUSE/STUDIO

3 3 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

be outside in comfortably contemplated ways,

The Blue Sky team didn’t just want to workwith the landscape; they wanted to celebrate
it with naturally beautiful building materials
such as Western Red Cedar siding and trim.

REA L CED A R | 3 4

H o w t o m a ke a n e n t r a n c e
The entry door is crafted withbook-matched red cedar panels
set in a fir frame with horizontal
glazing slots.

Open plan design
The main social spaces of den, living room, dining, kitchen are all
one great wood-clad room in the center of the house.

“The cladding on this project is truly unique, lending the house the type ofgrain and color that is usually reserved for fine furniture or instrument making,”says Bo Helliwell, Architect AIBC, FRAIC.
And the award-winning architects didn’t stop there. They chose cedar
for the following features: interior wall paneling, the winding handrail on thebalcony, as well as the stunning entry door.
Craftsmanship at its best
The detailing of the high quality
and fine grained cedar siding,inset with thin, horizontal
galvalume strips, gives thehouse a look like fine furnitureplaced in the arbutus forest.

3 5 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI“The neutral and subtle colors of wood provide a warmth and connectedness to place,” says Helliwell, who appreciates how beautifully Western
Red Cedar’s rich tonal range can either stand on its own or complement andcontrast other materials to weave a harmonious palette. “We used highlights ofbright color — in this case, green glass tile — to playfully emphasize rhythm andtexture, and to accent entryways.”

REA L CED A R | 3 6

WESTERN RED CEDARS P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

K D ‘ A’ C L E A R V E R T I C A L G R A I N

size

1 X 10 CLADDING

fastening

S TA I N L E S S S T E E L

applied finish

T R A N S PA R E N T S TA I N

M a k i n g w ave s
The customized Western Red Cedar railing follows thenatural curves of the main ridge, which offers spectacular
views over Saanich Inlet.

3 7 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

Original character
The homeowners wanted to add personality totheir residence while celebrating fine craft, sothey selected premium timbers and finishedwood to shape this truly unique structure.

IN OUR BUILDING EXPERIENCE, WE HAVE COME TO TRUST CEDAR FOR
ITS BEAUTY AND NATURAL DURABILITY IN EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS.”
BO HELLIWELL, ARCHITECT AIBC, FRAIC

REA L CED A R | 3 8

08
Tetra
House
OPEN INTIMACYAUSTIN, TEXAS, UST

his modern, Tex-Mex stunner wasmeant to be a spec home. But something unexpected happened about

halfway through construction: the homebuilder and his wife fell so in love with Bercy Chen
Studio’s design, they decided to keep thehouse for themselves and move their family
in before completion. And who could blame
them? Not only is it located in a historicallybohemian area of the always-hip Austin, Texas; it’s a beautiful interaction of materials andintersecting volumes.
“It’s a striated house with a bottom layerof strategically laid out concrete walls and aarchitect
BERCY CHEN STUDIO LP

clientT H E H O M E B U I L D E R & H I S F A M I LY

top layer of ﬂoating wood boxes, both materials mimicking one another in a way,” says
Thomas Bercy, principal architect at Bercy
Chen Studio. “The house is layered

structural engineer

in form and contains an intimate courtyard

BUFKIN ENGINEERING

with a pool at its center. The spaces are

general contractor

open yet intimate, receiving plentiful natural

ABODE MODERN HOMES

light throughout.”

photography
PA U L B A R D A G J Y

project typeRESIDENTIAL HOME

For the ﬂoating wood boxes, Bercy specified a beautiful knotty grade of Western Red
Cedar and finished it with a lustrous graywhite finish. As he explains the reason for thischoice was threefold.

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Setting the tone
L e s s e n t h e l e f t o ve r s

A beautiful knotty grade of cedar was used
extensively on the home’s exterior to createa rich, warm texture.

As part of the project’s environmental goal,
the entire home is designed on a 4′ x 4′ grid
to minimize material waste and conform tostandardized material sizes.

WE USED CEDAR BECAUSE OF ITS WARMTH AND
THE UNIQUE SILVER PATINA IT WILL DEVELOP OVER
TIME DUE TO THE STAINING PROCESS.”T H O M A S B E R C Y, A I A“Cedar adds a great deal of warmth to a
project that otherwise comprises concrete,

palette no doubt played a big part in why

glass, and steel,” says the award-winningthe homebuilder’s family weren’t willing toarchitect. “The silverizing subsequent togive it up.

treatment with the stain makes the woodlook especially unique in this context. Last, as
aforementioned, using the same material asform work on the concrete and siding on thehouse allowed for a dynamic play between
the two materials that make up the exteriors.”
4 1 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

WESTERN RED CEDAR

Plans for this beautifully curated material“They loved the idea and had worked
with cedar before, though not exactly in thisprocess,” explains Bercy. “They loved thefinished product and plan to utilize it again
on future projects.”

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

KD SELECT KNOTTY

size

1 X 6 T&G

fastening

S TA I N L E S S S T E E L
NAILSappliedfinishT R A N S PA R E N T
S TA I N

Community spirit
Considering how architecturally eclectic and varied
the surrounding homes are, this project’s innovative
program fits right into the neighborhood.
REA L CED A R | 4 2

09

M I L L R U N , P E N N S Y LVA N I A , U SHigh Meadow
at Fallingwater
IN RESONANCE
WITH SPACEW

hen it comes to designing asummer residency for architecture and design students at theFallingwater Institute, not just any space will
do. Add to that, the designated site is up thehill from none other than Frank Lloyd Wright’s
iconic residence (but you know — no pressure).

architect
BOHLIN CYWINSKI JACKSON

client

For this unique challenge, the clients — theWestern Pennsylvania Conservancy — hired
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, an internationally

W E S T E R N P E N N S Y LVA N I A
C O N S E R VA N C Y

renowned, award-winning firm that specializ-structural engineer

within its place.

K2 ENGINEERING INC.

es in exceptional architecture that resonatesBill James, an architectural designer at

general contractor

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, explains how he and

FA I R C H A N C E C O N S T R U C T I O N
C O M PA N Y

the team did it: “We positioned the structure

photography
NIC LEHOUX,
ALEXANDER DENMARSH& BOHLIN CYWINSKI JACKSON

between forest and field. We framed the vistaof the meadow and valley with simple woodinteriors. To impart minimal disturbance to thesite, we set the structure lightly above groundproject typeon a network of nimble steel columns and

DWELLING UNITS FORF A L L I N G W AT E R R E S I D E N C Y
PROGRAM

delicate tectonics.”

4 3 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 4 4

“The building’s main entry welcomes visitors into a central screened porch,” continues
James, “which joins the new architecture toan existing 1950’s split-level cabin and serves

OUR PRACTICE HAS USED WESTERN RED CEDAR ON MANY PROJECTS OVER THE
YEARS, BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL, AND WE CONTINUE TO TURN TO
IT FOR ITS BEAUTY, RESILIENCY, AND AUTHENTICITY.”

as the outdoor gathering and dining space.
It has become the heart of the project.”
As a key component of the overall program, Bohlin and his team wanted to use anaturally beautiful building material that would
complement the site’s stunning backdrop.

PETER BOHLIN, FOUNDER, BOHLIN CYWINSKI JACKSON

They opted for Western Red Cedar — something the practice has used on previous

Exterior extension

projects with great success.

A broad flat roof hovers high above the living spaces creating
the feeling that one is sitting outdoors amidst the trees.

“Here, we chose finer grades and finishes for points of entry and aperture: doors
and windows, for its stability and comfort totouch,” says James. “And then we chose morerustic grades and finishes to create depth,
texture, and humility to the façade. The struc-Protruding projecttural grades were used where the members’Anchored by a weathered cedar clad bedroom wing,a bold concrete cantilever projects the living anddining spaces into the dense forest and toward the view.

strength was required.”
As per the client’s request, these cedar
applications also worked to unify the formal
elements of the building and update theexisting structure.

WESTERN RED CEDAR“They were very pleased with how it
refreshed an older, split-level home andcreated an overall cohesive composition.”

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

fastening

KD SELECT KNOTTY& K D ‘ A’ C L E A R
VERTICAL GRAINS TA I N L E S S S T E E L

size
1 X 6, 2 X 4, 2 X 6 &O T H E R V A R I AT I O N S

applied finish
T R A N S PA R E N T &S E M I - T R A N S PA R E N T
S TA I N S

R aw b e a u t y
As part of the Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy’s overall mission to foster
an appreciation for the natural world, allfour cabins were clad in cedar.

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10

PORTLAND, OREGON, US

One North
RAISING THE BARO N S U S TA I N A B I LT Y
& DESIGNW

hen the client is a climate policy
advocate and celebrated leader inthe local sustainability movement,

an architect is not only expected to meetgreen building standards, but to raise the bar
for future community developments. That’s
exactly what Holst Architecture did with its
design for One North, a mixed-use project in
the heart of Portland, Oregon. The two buildings, comprised of office, retail and restaurantarchitectspace, was commissioned by renowned envi-

HOLST ARCHITECTURE

ronmental lawyer/developer, Eric Lemelson.

client“To reach the highest levels of sustainabili-

KARUNA PROPERTIES II, LLC

ty for the project, we translated passive housestructural engineer

tactics, which have been studied mainly in

FROELICH STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

residential construction, into the commercial

general contractor

project,” explains Kevin Valk, partner and de-

R&H CONSTRUCTION

sign director at Holst Architecture. “Additional

photographysustainability strategies include a super-in-

ANDREW POGUE

sulated airtight building envelope, exterior

project typeshading, highly efficient mechanical systems,

M I X E D U S E , ( O F F I C E , R E TA I L ,R E S TA U R A N T, E T C . )and the near-elimination of thermal bridges.”

4 7 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

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Sustainable selection
Western Red Cedar siding wasselected because woods suchas WRC leave the smallest
carbon footprint than any otherbuilding material.

WESTERN RED CEDAR GAVE THE
PROJECT A UNIQUE APPEARANCEAND TEXTURE.”K E V I N VA L K

All-access area
The team decided early on to dedicate asignificant portion of the land for public use,
including a 14,000 sq. ft. public courtyard
between the East and West buildings.

Design-wise, One North was inspired by

In terms of specifications, the team opted

Lemelson’s passion for the architecture offor a knotty grade of cedar. This added

Antoni Gaudi. As such, both buildings boast

warmth and texture to the exterior. It also

beautiful wavy exteriors synonymous withhelped keep the project’s overall costs down,

the distinctive style of Catalan modernism.

as knotty is a cost-eﬀective choice as well. It’s

Adding to the drama — as well as lending ajust one of the many ways Lemelson and co.

distinctive Pacific North West style — the rip-were able to break new ground in the worldpled façade is clad in nature’s most versatileof economically and environmentally soundbuilding material.

design. The hope is other architects and“One North’s unique curves are complemented by its equally striking Western Red

Raising the bar
The aim for One North was toachieve the highest levels of sustainability in a way that supported
the community and incorporated
unique design attributes.

developers will take note.
WESTERN RED CEDAR“He didn’t want One North to be a one-oﬀ,”

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S

Cedar siding, a feature that also reﬂects thesays Valk of Lemelson’s main objective. “Heteam’s commitment to exceeding industry

hoped that the lessons learned from this proj-

grade

standards,” says Valk. “It was important to theect could be shared with the community and

KD SELECT KNOTTY

developer to know precisely where the sidingthat the favorable return on investment wouldsizematerial was coming from, reaching beyond

encourage other developers to adopt similar

5/4 X 4 T&G

CSA and SFI certification.”sustainability goals.”fastening
C O AT E D S C R E W S

applied finish
S E M I - T R A N S PA R E N T S TA I N

4 9 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

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11Scottsdale’s Museumof the West:
Western Spirit
OLD WEST IMPACTSCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, USW

ith this project, Studio Ma
answers the age-old question: what happens when Old

West meets contemporary design. The
38,279-square-foot, two-story Scottsdalemuseum features an outdoor courtyard, giftshop, interpretive spaces, as well as galleriesarchitect
STUDIO MA, INC. (PHOENIX)

clientC I T Y O F S C O T T S D A L E & O P E R AT E D
BY THE SCOTTSDALE’S MUSEUM
OF THE WEST

for permanent and traveling exhibitions, and amulti-use space for gatherings and audiovisual presentations. Expertly combining modern
forms with traditional materials, the stunningvenue has garnered a lot of positive attention
from both visitors and architecture aficionados

structural engineer

alike since it opened its doors in Scottsdale’s

RUDOW + BERRY

historical and increasingly hip downtown hub.

general contractor
CORE CONSTRUCTION& LGE DESIGN BUILD

photography
BILL TIMMERMAN

project type

“The museum is not only a leading attraction for regional culture, but it has also been
applauded as an iconic building and a catalyst
for an urban community,” says Studio Ma
principal, Christina Moss.

MUSEUM

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O l d We s t i n s p i r a t i o n

WESTERN RED CEDAR

The public space of the $11.5 million museum
is organized as a series of galleries in a “U” orhorseshoe shape, forming a central courtyard.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade
K D S E L E C T K N O T T Y & K D ‘ A’ C L E A R

size
VA R I E S

fastening
S TA I N L E S S S T E E L

applied finish( I N T E R I O R ) T R A N S PA R E N T F I N I S H( E X T E R I O R ) S E M I - T R A N S PA R E N T S TA I N

As part of the interior’s textured and tactile palette, Studio
Ma opted to use Western Red Cedar extensively throughout
including all entry doors to the reception, ticketing area, andcourtyard, the 10-foot-high barn door and wall paneling outside the elevator, galleries and other spaces.
Cedar siding also appears at the high ceilings above thestairs, low ceilings at galleries and the museum store, interior
doors in public spaces and wall base.
“It is an essential and impactful building material for thiscomposition,” adds Studio Ma principal, Christopher Alt.

WESTERN RED CEDAR COMPLEMENTS THE COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITS, AND IT
REINFORCES THE DESIGN MOTIF BASED ON ICONS OF THE WEST.”CHRISTIANA MOSS, AIA

E vo k i n g e a r l y s e t t l e m e n t sNatural light from the courtyard becomes a central, organizing element forthe museum, reminding visitors of the quality of the western landscape.

5 3 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

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Homage to land and legends
The materials and design of the Museum
take inspiration from icons of the west andthe characteristic red cliffs and mesas of
the Colorado Plateau.

Southwest winners
Studio Ma won “Firm of the Year” at the AIA
Arizona awards for projects such as thiscedar-clad museum.

For these applications, Alt primarily specified a beautiful, knotty Western Red Cedar. As Alt explains, this cost-effective grade of cedar oﬀered the non-profit museum
project great value as well as several other benefits.
“In addition to its wonderful smell, Western Red Cedar’sknotty appearance and board-constructed paneling complemented the rough-formed concrete and the oxidized
steel,” says Alt. “It really stood up to the others. Also
the material helped us recall some of the construction

Beautiful insideand out
The Western Red Cedar
siding also appears at
the high ceilings above
the stairs, low ceilings at
galleries and the museum store, interior doors
in public spaces, wallbase, and interior andexterior signage.

methods for fences and housing in the West, with their various-sized boards and earthy appearance. Last, we knew
the naturally finished and durable wood species would
retain its character, coloration and shape for a long time.”

5 5 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 5 612TØNDER, SYDDANMARK, DENMARKECCO Hotel &Conference Centre
H U M A N + H A B I TATEXPERIENCE

L

ocated near a marshy area by Denmark’s blustery North Sea, the environmental goal for this PlusEnergy project

was to build a structure that produces moreenergy than it uses. The design goal, meanwhile, was to blend into the unique sceneryand maximize the human/habitat experiencefor hotel guests throughout the year. DISSING+WEITLING architecture delivered on allarchitect

fronts via sustainable innovation, attention to

DISSING+WEITLING ARCHITECTURE

detail and choice in material.

clientECCO“You are a part of a constant relationshipto the landscape, and are a natural part of astructural engineer

larger context in the main rooms and then you

INGENIØR’NE

have the same landscape to yourself whengeneral contractor

you are in your room,” explains Daniel V.

THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
WA S D I V I D E D I N T O L O T S B Y
T R A D E . T H E L O C A L C O M PA N Y
KRAFTMAN DID ALL THE
C A R P E N T R Y.

Hayden, principal at DISSING+WEITLING. “Thephotography

and developed to utilize and enhance the

ADAM MØRK

project typearchitecture is all about light, sound, craftsmanship and materials. Each gesture andeach material has been carefully considered
natural qualities of the various materials andthis becomes part of your experience.”

HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE

5 7 | THE C EDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 5 8

With that in mind, they clad theentire circular volume in vertical
strips of Western Red Cedar.
“The narrow width of the pieces ensures that the circular form

Great Dane design
Presenting architectural
challenges and opportunities, the low-lying area has
a unique flora and fauna
and is unlike any other natural landscape in Denmark.

of the building is reinforced andnot divided up into segments,”
says Hayden. “The boards are left
untreated so they will weather toa silver grey color, which will work
beautifully with the surrounding
grain fields.”
They also used cedar for the
decking and moveable sun-

THE CHOICE OF NATURALLY WEATHERING CEDARWAS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR THIS AREA.”

screens of each room. In fact,

D A N I E L V. H AY D E N

cedar plays such a prominentrole in the telling of this project’s
story; it’s hard to imagine what it
would have looked like with anyother material.
“It would have been very
difficult to achieve the same

At o n e w i t h n a t u r e
The soft toning of the cedar structure
allows the building to melt into thesurrounding landscape.

results with one type of wood
Pe r f e c t i n g p r o p o r t i o n
The project is a super fine play on scales, from the overall
scale of the building in the landscape to the small window
seat in each room that provides a cozy place for each guest.

had it not been cedar,” says
Hayden. “The versatility of thematerial, the beauty of the various
finishes, and its natural longevity
made it the optimal choice forthe project.”

WESTERN RED CEDARS P E C I F I C AT I O N S
grade

fastening

CLEAR HEARTVERTICAL GRAINS TA I N L E S S S T E E L N A I L S

Innate beauty

applied finish

The window niches are treatedwith a natural oil which keeps
the natural glow of the woodand helps create a warm “framing” of the view to the landscape outside all year round.

size
VA R I E S(INTERIOR) NONE
( W I N D O W N I C H E S ) N AT U R A L O I L(EXTERIOR) NONE

59 | THE CEDAR BOOK VOL . XI

REA L CED A R | 6 0

ABOUT THE
WESTERN RED CEDAR
L U M B E R A S S O C I AT I O N

THE 11TH VOLUME OF THE CEDAR BOOKP R O F I L E S S T U N N I N G A N D AWA R D - W I N N I N G
ARCHITECTURE FROM INSPIRED ARCHITECTSAROUND THE WORLD. THESE ARCHITECTS CONTINUEA T R A D I T I O N T H AT S TA R T E D C E N T U R I E S A G O W H E N
T H E I N D I G E N O U S P E O P L E S O F T H E PA C I F I C N O R T H W E S T R E C O G N I Z E D T H E VA LU E O F U S I N G T H I SUNIQUE WOOD SPECIES.

First Nations people recognized Western Red Cedar’s natural durability, characteristics and versatility, making it the preferred choice forbuilding ocean-going canoes and post-and-beam houses and lodges.
Today’s discerning architects and builders enhance their projects withthis stunning, versatile and sustainable building material. Nature stillknows best. Despite all eﬀorts at imitation, no man-made product canmatch the beauty, performance and longevity of Western Red Cedar—something that this book, as well as the RealCedar.com online gallery,
undoubtedly illustrates.
Western Red Cedar is one of nature’s truly remarkable materials. It
absorbs and stores greenhouse gases, generates less water and air
pollution, requires less energy to produce than alternatives, and comesfrom a renewable and sustainable resource. More than ever before, wemust find ways to reduce the pressure on our planet’s
environment and finite resources.
By choosing products with a light carbon footprint and by reducing
waste, we can have a real impact on climate change now, and into the
future. As part of their commitment to transparency, the Western Red
Cedar Lumber Association has Environmental Product Declarations
available for siding, decking and other products. We hope this bookwill inspire you to consider Western Red Cedar for your next project.

FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N O R T O A N S WER ANY
Q U E S T I O N S A B O U T WE S T E R N R E D C E D A R P RODUC TS ,P LE A S E V I S I T R E A LC E D A R . C O M .