C E L E B R AT I N G W E S T E R N R E D C E DA R
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Introduction
Designing and building homes is a process inundated withcedar’s integrity and longevity. It seems the older the buildings

creating a dwelling for shelter, inspiration and family experienceexamples of how to work within a materials constraint and how

great care and responsibility. The magnitude of attention inis not to be undertaken without passion and fortitude. Every

project at Birdseye represents the challenge of weaving aget, the better they appear. The cedar clad structures are great
to best express its qualities.

We have made Western Red Cedar a constant in our project

client’s unique set of circumstances of program and site

palette for many reasons. The inherent qualities of this wood

whole. Birdseye designs and builds homes embedded withgreatly to the success of our projects over the last twenty years.

builders and woodworkers. We are surrounded by materials in

WRC a favorable material of choice. WRC is a renewable andpossibilities and push the limits of our projects.

managed forests.

We pursue materials and form with the intention of finding thehistory and landscape. We embrace the heritage of place and

My interest in cedar detailing was initially influenced

unique way reflective of our time. Using Western Red Cedar

together to create a space which embodies the spirit of thethis intention. We are a hands-on operation. We are architects,

our processes of designing and making. We like to explore the
Our commitment to material is paramount in what we do.

best way to reflect the properties of each choice.

by Shelburne Farms, a Vermont farm and country estate

species as an interior and exterior component have contributed
Birdseye’s commitment to sustainable design also makes

biodegradable material that can be sourced from sustainably
At Birdseye, we are inspired by the architectural fabric of

instill familiarity in our projects, expressing a fresh vision in a

has consistently given us the ability to explore unique finishes,

constructed from c.1886 to 1915. The National Historic

create depth and shadow through layering, design unique edge

designed by Frederick Olmsted. The architecture is an amazing

projects. We love the interaction and relationships we build in

Landmark consists of 1,300 acres of agricultural landscapecollection of 16 buildings designed by Robert Henderson

Robertson. The estate buildings and structures are unified by a

combination of Queen Anne and Shingle style architecture.

The cedar shingled buildings and cedar clapboard exterior

walls of the buildings are significant for their outstanding

design and craft. They are beautiful. You can’t help but be in

awe of the architectural details of these gems. The amount ofvariation, texture and detail is very distinctive and reflective of

detailing and select grades to best reflect and enhance ourthis process of discovery.

B R I A N J . M A C , FA I A
Principal Architect
BIRDSEYE
birdseyevt.com

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R I VER B EN D
R ES I D EN C E

B RI DG E H OUSE

Table
of

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A DK CA M P

Contents

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CA M P F RIO

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HO R IZONNEI GHBO R HO OD

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CALGARYC E NTRAL LIBR A RY

1115

B OU L D E RS
R ES I DE N C E S

H IG H DE SE RT
RE S IDE N CE

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GA L I A N O 1 0 0

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C HA RL E STO WN
B E AC H HO U S E

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S O KO L B LO S S E R
WI N E RY PAV I L I O N

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TH E AN N E X

01

ARCHITECTCLB Architects

C L I M AT E C H A N G E R
To maximize efficiency and minimize
heat loss, the house was superinsulated, outfitted with triplepane glazing and clad in topperforming materials.

1

CLIENT
Californianfamily with two
teenage children

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Peak Builders

PHOTOGRAPHY
Matthew Millman
Photography& Tom Harris
Photography

FA M I LY R E T R E AT F O R E X T E N D E D FA M I LY & F R I E N D S

Riverbend
Residence
WHERE
Jackson, Wyoming, USAP

erched six feet above the natural
ground plane, due to the leveethat holds the Snake River backduring spring run-offs, the Riverbend
Residence provides stunning views andblurs the line between indoors and out.
This Jackson Hole, Wyoming project
consists of a high-end custom house andguesthouse with modern aesthetics. Rich
materials, intricate detailing, and expert
craftsmanship lend it a museum quality
finish. Thoughtful siting and panoramic
windows make the dramatic landscapethe focal point.
2

TA L K I N G P O I N T S
Recurrent themes of
conversation for theRiverbend project include
the simple, clean design,scale, site, andmaterials palette.

The biggest environmental challenge for thisproject is the extreme Wyoming weather whichreaches highs in the 90s during the summer andlows in the -40s during winter. In order to withstandthe elements, top-performing building materials
are required.

“We chose Western Red Cedar because of its

durability in the extreme Wyoming climate and be-cause our client expressed a desire for a warm color

palette. Many contemporary architecture projects areseen as cold and hard,” explains Logan of CLB Architects. “Two elevations and fascia of the home wereclad in hot-rolled plate steel. We intentionally playedup the contrast between the dark, protective steel

shell and the warm, approachable wood exterior andinterior. The steel cladding frames visually protect thesoft cedar underbelly.”3

GRADEKD Clear
VG Heart

SIZE
1x6 T&G and 2" fins

APPLIED FINISH
Clear stain

FA S T E N I N GConcealedfasteners
SUPPLIER
International Wood
Products

SYNTHESIZED SIDING
The stunning cedar façade
ties the main house andguesthouse together tocreate one cohesivecompound that’s warm,
inviting and connected.

4

M AT E R I A L M AT T E R S
A stunning Western Red Cedar soffit/ceiling system beautifully
blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces.

5Chosen in response
to our extreme
Rocky Mountainclimate, Western
Red Cedar is adurable species
that is a soft, naturalcontrast to ourotherwise hard,concrete andsteel-cladmaterial palette.

SITE SENSITIVITY
The property
was minimally
disturbed throughout
construction andthe landscape wasreturned to its
previous state
upon completion.

ERIC LOGAN, AIA

Cedar is also used for the soffit/ceil-“We wanted the natural beauty anding system and the interior window trim.

durability of wood, but also wanted tothe cedar is finished with a clear stain.

ic we had established formally with the

To enhance the wood’s natural beauty,

To specify nature’s most versatile building material for these applications, theaward-winning firm along with the home-owners opted for a premium clear grade.

maintain the simplicity and clean aesthetdesign, thus we specified CVG cedar,”

Logan says, adding that CLB did not need
the look of knotty because “the naturalvariation from board to board gave thewood clad façades just the right amountof visual interest.”

6

FA M I LY H O M E , M A I N R E S I D E N C E ,BUT ALSO AS A SHOWCASE FOR THE DBA FIRM

BridgeHouse
WHERE
Los Angeles, California, USA

D

an Brunn could have just built
his showcase home on the firstflat portion of his lot, as all his
neighbors had done. However, the awardwinning architect wanted his L.A. home
to be at one with nature. So, he set about
designing a house that is a literal bridgeover a naturally occurring brook, hence
the name Bridge House.
“Think of it as a dream tree house,
but for adults,” says Brunn of his
modern streamlined take on the
traditional log cabin.

7

ARCHITECT
Dan Brunn
Architecture

CLIENT
Dan Brunn

GENERALCONTRACTOR
MODAA
Construction,
Patrick Ahounber

PHOTOGRAPHY
Brandon Shigeta

02

FUTURISTIC FRAMEWORKMinimizing the structure’s
footprint on the site,
Bridge House is a beautiful
example of what passive
design can look like.

8Of course, building a bridge with a 65' long span

was nowhere near simple. The project has five different
foundation types, so there was a lot of logistics to co-ordinate. And since Brunn was building this as a legacy
project for his firm, there was also a lot of design goals
to be met.

“The idea with the project was to create a platform

to share stories and products,” explains Brunn. “I wanted
it to show what the urban home could be. So, I hope thislives on as that. It is maybe the truest example of
DBA today.”Inside, the eco-minded home offers a truly uniqueexperience with, among other design features, a beautiful living green wall and a long art gallery hallway.

The exterior creates a dramatic impression as well withcustomized Select Knotty Western Red Cedar sidingthat was stained to a very light white.

“Typically, we work with concrete, stucco and glass,”

says Brunn. “This site is so unique though. There are somany trees on the site that I wanted something that rePRODUCT KNOWLEDGE
As both client and architect,
Dan Brunn knew that only cedar
could create the kind of dramatic
exterior he wanted.

ally melds with nature. The cedar façade accomplishes
that integration.”“I actually don’t think this project could have been

done without cedar,” he continues. “The entire expres-sion would have been something else altogether. It had
to be the way it is.”9

GRADEKD Select Knotty
SIZE
1x8 S/L with afineline edge detail
FA S T E N I N G
Stainless steel
APPLIED FINISH
Driftwood graybleaching stain

A G I N G G R A C E F U L LY
Dan Brunn used a bleaching
stain that’ll turn the cedara beautiful silvery graypatina as the years pass.

SUPPLIER
MANUFACTURER:
West Bay Forest Products
DISTRIBUTOR:
OrePac Building Products
FACTORY FINISH:
Woodtone

Knotty cedar has so muchcharacter, and it looks so raw,
which really complements ourclean modernist lines.
DAN BRUNN, AIA

10

03

ARCHITECTBAR Architects

CONNECTED TO THE LAND
The cedar T&G siding and roof
overhang on the uphill units
create a strong link between
the structures and the site.

11

CLIENT
Mountainside
Partners

GENERALCONTRACTOR
SMC Contracting
Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Doug Dun,BAR Architects

S I N G L E FA M I LY R E S I D E N C E S , Z E R O - L O T- L I N E

Boulders
Residences
WHERE
Northstar, Lake Tahoe, California, USANestled within the ski-in, ski-out
community of Mountainside, lessthan 15 minutes from Lake Tahoeand Truckee, Boulders Residences offera distinct approach to modern mountainliving. The collection of single-family
homes was purposefully designed tohelp bring balance to the busy lives of its
residents. For BAR Architects, that meant
blurring the distinction between insideand outside by building full-height wallsof operable glass and exterior decks tocreate light filled open living spaces thatfully capture the expansive views whileproviding privacy from neighbors.
12

COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS
Recognizing the design team’s
collective responsibility
to protect limited resources,
Boulders incorporates durable
and renewable materials.

GRADE
KD Select Knotty(10–15% quality
knotty)SIZE
1x8 shiplap
and T&G siding
FA S T E N I N GPainted ringshank nails

13

SUPPLIER
MANUFACTURER:
Canyon Lumber
DISTRIBUTOR:
Bakerview Forest
Products
APPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent/
light white washIt also meant reinterpreting the traditional snow-country archi-

Cedar’s versatility
in accepting andholding finishes
allowed us to explore
the design freely.
JEFF GOODWIN, AIA

tecture into a contemporary expression of this functional heritage.

Thus, the dramatic roof shapes that soar over large areas of glazed
walls give the homes a decidedly modern edge. In keeping withthe vernacular of classic mountain structures, these striking silhouettes are contrasted beautifully with the warmth of Western Red
Cedar siding on the exterior walls and soffits.

BAR also selected nature’s most versatile material for importantelements of the interior as well. “Western Red Cedar on walls andceilings seamlessly extend from inside to the exterior, drawing theeye outside and emphasizing the connection between home andthe surrounding outdoor environment,” explains Jeff Goodwin, BAR
Architects’ principal.

To add even greater warmth and texture, whilst meeting the

project’s economic goals, BAR Architects opted for a beautiful

knotty grade of cedar. Given the rugged mountain aesthetic, it wasa natural choice for a project set in the stunning Sierras. But cedar
wasn’t selected solely for its good looks. The project called for an
eco-friendly, top-performing material that could stand the test oftime against sun and snow.

“Cedar’s proven track record of durability will help with long-term maintenance of the homes,” says the award-winning architect,adding “choosing a natural material was also key to reaching oursustainable goals for the project.”

SELLING POINTSThe clean interiors, particularly
the exposed steel structure against
the beautiful cedar in featured
areas, is a favorite among buyers.

14

FA M I LY R E T R E AT

High Desert
Residence
WHERE
Bend, Oregon, USAOn the edge of the Cascade
mountain range is where you’ll
find the High Desert Residence.
It’s a distinctive region of the PacificNorthwest where the signs of recent
geologic activity and formation can befound everywhere—in the pure forms of
volcanic cinder cones to the enormous
scorching lava flows and the still-sharp,
jagged mountains.
15

ARCHITECT
Hacker

CLIENT
Active Portland
familyGENERALCONTRACTOR
Kirby Nagelhout
Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY
JeremyBittermann

04

SEAMLESS CONNECTION
In the main living room and kitchen,
the cedar ceiling extends to theexterior, only lightly interrupted
by full-height windows.

16

HIGH PERFORMANCE
Cedar was selected for its durability in an environmentof extreme temperature swings as well as for its
aesthetic qualities.

Naturally, the goal was to ensure this stunning landscape could

be experienced from each room in the home. The Hacker architectteam achieved this with simple, shifting exterior walls and windowsthat are carefully aligned to create framed views of the desert floraand fauna, and the sprawling texture of distant hills.

To honor this dramatic backdrop, they needed a durable anddynamic building material for the exterior. So, the Portland-based

firm selected Western Red Cedar siding for its ability to stand up to
the elements as well as its aesthetic qualities.

“It’s also a very workable wood fiber allowing for custom

dimensions and reveals,” explains Hacker principal Corey Martin,

who specified clear water-based finish. “The clients are designers

themselves, and they truly appreciated the high level of finish detailing that was made possible by using cedar. The natural patina

as the exterior cedar ages will further reflect the material as foundin this high desert region.”17

YEAR-ROUND COVER
The roof extends over a large
exterior living space, providing
cooling shade in the summer andsnow protection in winter.

18

Inside, the clients wanted tofurnish this home with their carefully
curated collection of mid-century
furniture, so Hacker composed a
GRADEKD ‘A’ & Better ceilingand KD ‘D’ & Better siding
SIZE
1x4 and 1x6 T&G
FA S T E N I N GConcealed fasteners
APPLIED FINISH
CEILING: transparent stain
SIDING: dark stain

simple interior palette of white, black,and natural wood to act as a timelessbackdrop for these pieces. They also

wanted to blur the lines between siteand structure.

“The same cedar used on theexterior is carried throughout theinteriors, appearing continuous

through the glass and giving the im-pression that there is no barrier at all

between inside and outside spaces,”says the award-winning architect.

SUPPLIER
MANUFACTURER:
Idaho Forest Group
DISTRIBUTOR: International
Wood Products & Disdero
Lumber Company

The versatility of the cedar enhanced
the project as even the exterior
cladding was a very detailed finish.
NIC SMITH, AIA

19

F I E R C E FA Ç A D E
To reduce the need for alarge heating and coolingsystem, High Desert
Residence has a robustbuilding envelope.

20

05

ARCHITECT
Birdseye

FIRST PLACE
This stunning summer home recently
won top prize at the Wood DesignAwards in the “Real Cedar” category.

21

CLIENT
Brothers andtheir respective
families

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Hilltop
Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY
Jim Westphalen
Photography

S U M M E R CA M P F O R T WO FA M I L I E S

ADK
Camp
WHERE
Brant Lake, New York, USAT

he same family has owned thisupstate New York property for
four generations. It’s a stunning,
5-acre site defined by two existingboathouses, a tree-lined carriage road,and a vintage waterfront cabin. They
would never want to change the characterof their beloved vacation compound, butsomething had to be done about the main
residence, a dilapidated and structurally
unsound building.
22

Enter architect Brian J. Mac. His

award-winning, Vermont-based firm wascommissioned to design a replacement

vacation home, one that could accommo-

date two adult brothers and their respective
families. The result is a very symmetricallayout which concisely reflects two separate
living entities flanking a shared common
eating, living and cooking space. And in
keeping with the spirit of the property’s

heritage structures, the overall essence of

this project was inspired by the great campsof the Adirondacks. But done so with a fresh,
minimalist approach to design.

“Those camps were saturated with heavy

log and wood detailing from the naturalenvironment,” explains Mac. “We wanted

to streamline that craft into a contemporary

Western Red Cedar is a provensustainable material whichreflects a warmth to this project.
B R I A N M A C , FA I A

23language using a material that could give

us a similar dynamic and relationship to thelandscape. Western Red Cedar grading andfinishing gave us the flexibility to stay within
the same species of wood and accomplish
our overall aesthetic.”

BEAUTIFUL BLENDThe inspired architectural language of thecamp integrates into the landscape.

24

F I R E F E AT U R E
The herringbone pattern ofthe naturally finished cedarslats beautifully highlights
the double-sided, woodburning fireplace.

Indeed, Mac makes beautiful use ofWestern Red Cedar throughout the entire
home. Inside, the naturally stained cedarslats give depth to the architecture andcreate a dynamic character, as light con-tinuously moves across the detailing. The
dark cedar façade, meanwhile, reflects atangible element of nature, providing thatconnection to the land, which the homeowners were looking to attain.

“Western Red Cedar holds a stain very

well,” says Mac. “And the exterior black

stain was an important tone in our pursuitof blending the architecture into thelandscape and creating a strong contrast
to the inside’s natural finish.”25

FA M I LY P L A N N I N G
The program is organizedaround a central living
space, flanked by two
private family wings.

ALL INCLUSIVE
Driven by the client’s desire for all
family members to enjoy the site, thehouse and grounds are fully accessible.

GRADE

SIZE

KD ‘A’ & Better

1x6

FA S T E N I N G
Stainless steel ring shank nails
APPLIED FINISH
INTERIOR: clear finish
EXTERIOR: black solid body stain
SUPPLIER
INTERIOR: Hood Distribution- McQuesten Group
EXTERIOR: Russin Lumber Corp

WESTERN RED CEDAR LUMBER ASSOCIATION

26

M O U N TA I N CO M M U N I TY

Horizon
Neighborhood
WHERE
Powder Mountain, Utah, USAB

uilding an intentional
community 9,000 feet above
sea level on Powder Mountaindoesn’t come without its challenges—highwind loads, high seismic loads, extreme
snowfall, extreme topography and highsolar gain, to name a few. But MacKayLyons Sweetapple Architects was morethan up to the task. The award-winning,
Nova Scotia-based firm is internationallyrenowned for creating stunning andsometimes gravity defying structures that
respond to “place” in very dramatic ways.
27

ARCHITECT
MacKay-Lyons
Sweetapple
Architects

CLIENT
Summit Powder Mountain

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Mountain Resort
Builders

PHOTOGRAPHY
Doublespace
Photography& Paul Bundy

06

DUALISTIC DESIGN
The architecture is both traditional andmodern, and it is a coherent neighborhoodthat exemplifies both unity and variety.

28

The goal here was to develop a sustainable, mod-ern mountain architecture, that responds to the local
climate and landscape. Mission accomplished. Horizon Neighborhood’s architecture is both traditionaland contemporary, and it’s a coherent community

round entry from the second level of each structure.
The stilts also form the primary structural frames,

which support the cabins from extreme wind andpotential seismic loads.”

The design is based on the client’s culture ofthat exemplifies both unity and variety.

creativity and environmental stewardship, which isconsisting of a dense aggregation of cedar cab-of Utah’s fragile high desert landscape. So, using“Close your eyes and imagine a neighborhood

ins perched on stilts, clustered around communal

courtyards and accessed by forty-foot steel bridges,”says Brian MacKay-Lyons, Principal of MacKay-Lyons
Sweetapple Architects. “The bridges enable year-

CHOICE CHALETS
Individual customers can purchase one offour housing prototypes, and MSA offers
customization to each buyer.

29

especially important because the mountain is partthe stilts—rather than concrete foundations—ensures
the buildings touch lightly on the land minimizing
the project’s overall footprint. As does the choiceof building material.

GRADEKD Select Knotty

SIZE
1X6 S/LFA S T E N I N G
Stainless steel
ring shank nails

APPLIED FINISH
Clear stain

SUPPLIER
OrePac Building Products
and Disdero Lumber Company

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MacKay-Lyons specified naturally beautiful Western Red Cedar

for the shingled roofs, the vertical cedar wall cladding as well as
the soffits.

“While not grown locally, cedar is the local vernacular for

agricultural buildings in the area, and it is the most durable andlong-lasting wood cladding material,” he says adding, “the use of
WRC was consistent with the client’s values.”

31

STRONG SUPPORTThe stilts form theprimary structural frames,and support the cabinsfrom extreme wind andpotential seismic loads.

32

07

ARCHITECTKITE Architects

REWARDING REQUIREMENTS
The need to elevate the house turned into
an asset, with the top-floor, open concept
living area enjoying panoramic views.

33

CLIENT
Industrial
designer &entrepreneurin the building
industry

GENERALCONTRACTOR
NewportRenewables

PHOTOGRAPHY
Warren Jagger

FA M I LY S U M M E R H O U S ECharlestown
Beach House
WHERE
South Kingstown, Rhode Island, USAI

n 2012, Hurricane Sandy wreaked
havoc on this part of Rhode Island,leaving behind eroded beaches
and an increasingly vulnerable coastal
environment. Consequently, this waterfront project presented an incredible
opportunity for KITE Architects to
explore innovative design solutions forlong-term threats of weather, energy
dependence, and sea level rise related
to climate change.
34

PRIME EXAMPLE
The client wanted his home
to serve as a model for
modern dwellings built inincreasingly vulnerable
coastal environments.

“A high priority was placed on the selection of long lasting, durable

materials and development of construction details to withstand the severe
weather,” explains Albert Garcia, AIA, KITE Architects’ Principal. “As such,the house is clad with a rainscreen wall system comprised of Western Red

Cedar arranged in a pattern that follows a rigorous and consistent module
as it cascades across projections and recesses.”

Aesthetically, the owner was interested in creating a house that was acelebration of contemporary design and meticulous craftsmanship. Again,
Western Red Cedar met those requirements as well.

“Using the form of a ship as a metaphor and inspiration, and the materi-al palette of a traditional coastal cottage, the design for the house is basedon an orderly composition of simple forms that is distinctively unique compared to its traditional New England neighbors,” says the award-winningarchitect. “The horizontal 1x12 cedar boards are meant to recall the plank-

ing of a ship’s hull. The rough texture of the select knotty grade provides acontrast to the smoothly finished, machined edges of the vertical siding.”
Technically, the cedar boards are an integral part of a pressure

equalized rainscreen cladding system that improves the thermal andweathering performance of the exterior envelope. For finishing, they let
all the cedar weather naturally. As Garcia explains, the reason to leave it
unfinished was twofold. “The silver-gray color and texture of weathered
Western Red Cedar is naturally beautiful and fits into the local coastal
cottage aesthetic.”
35

GRADEKD ‘A’ & Better verticalsiding and KD SelectKnotty horizontal boards
SIZE
1x4, 1x6, 1x8 and 1x12

APPLIED FINISH
None
SUPPLIERRETAILER: Liberty Cedar
MANUFACTURER: PowerWood
DISTRIBUTORS: Mid-State
Lumber & Hood Distribution- McQuesten GroupFA S T E N I N G
Ring shank nails

The choice to use Western Red
Cedar was primarily driven by the
exceptional natural weatheringcharacteristics of the material.
ALBERT GARCIA, AIA

T R A N Q U I L R E T R E AT
Providing a meditative
connection to the ocean,
the angled window and wall
projections direct one’s
gaze to the water.
36

M U LT I - FA M I LY C O M P O U N D

Camp
Frio
WHERE
Leakey, Texas, USAC“

ozy… but ample and gracious;
dark and moody… butbright and airy.” That was thehomeowners’ impression after spending
their first weekend at this Texan multifamily vacation property. The young family
wanted a retreat where they could bringother friends and family. They turned to
Tim Cuppett Architects for a solution, andthey delivered. The award-winning Austinbased firm designed a compound of four
independent structures: main house, twoguest cottages, and a garage/art studio/
meditation loft. And as Cuppett explains,
this final product is many things all at once.
37

ARCHITECTTim Cuppett
Architects

CLIENT
Young family

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Dalgleish
Construction Co.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Whit Preston
Photography

08

SOUTHERN LIVING
This multi-family compound rises from aremote, grassy valley on the bank of FrioRiver, deep in the Texas Hill Country.

38

“It’s rural, agrarian, rustic,” he says, “at first glance, thebuildings might appear to have been there for decades but withfurther study, composition and details look more modern.”

It also looks like the kind of place that inspires outlaw coun-try songs. In other words, timeless, just like the wood that clads

all of the structures. For this, they chose a beautiful knotty gradeof Western Red Cedar, a classic siding material that stands thetest of time for two reasons. The wood’s warm textured surface

only gets better with age, especially if left to weather naturally orin this case, finished with a weather-enhancing stain.

The timelessappeal ofWestern Red Cedar
really reinforces theregional character.

GRADE
KD Select Knotty

FA S T E N I N G
Stainless steel siding nails

SIZE
1x6 board,
1x3 batten

APPLIED FINISH
MAIN HOUSE:
Semi-transparent stain, black
OTHER BUILDINGS:
Semi-transparent stain, red

T I M C U P P E T T, FA I AAT E A S E
Structures were detailed
for simplicity of
construction with readily
available materials suchas cedar and fashioned by
local tradesmen.

39

E N V I R O N M E N TA L E X P E R I E N C EThis project’s goal was to replace
city life and digital stimulation
with a greater connection to people
and place.

Secondly, the wood is naturally resistantto rot, decay and insects so it’s a durable
building material as rich in history as it isin tonal range. He also selected cedar for
exterior flooring and elevated decking,which encourages interaction between thescreened porches and guest cottages.

Cedar’s also a green choice. In fact,woods such as Western Red Cedar leave

the smallest carbon footprint than any otherbuilding material. Which is important for aparcel of land that’s deep in a grassy Texan
valley where the Frio River winds through,and the few home sites allowed there, shareutilities and services.

“One goal was to have a minimal impact

on the site,” confirms Cuppett.

40

09

ARCHITECTTrim Studio

R O M A N T I C G E TA W AY
The clients are newlyweds who bought
this property as a vacation spot tospend quality time together.

41

CLIENT
Young couple

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Longlife Windows

PHOTOGRAPHY
Jarusha Brown

VAC AT I O N H O M E

Galiano100
WHERE
Galiano Island, BC, CanadaW

hen it comes to designing tiny
homes, a little Western Red
Cedar goes a long way. The
wood’s naturally beautiful tonal range
and texture create warm, inviting indoor
and outdoor living spaces, even withextremely limited square footage. It
also connects the structures to natural
surroundings in a way that man-madematerials can’t achieve.
42

N AT U R E L O V E R S
The homeowners enjoy a lotof outdoor living spacewith a big cedar deck, hottub, and outdoor shower.

43

“Our main goal was to integrate the house with thecontext as much as possible,” explains Rodrigo Munguia, Trim’s principal. “The property, the views, andthe nature surrounding it are stunning. We wanted toembrace that, which is one of the reasons we wanted touse as much Western Red Cedar as possible.”

The result is WRC on the ceiling, soffits and trim. To

make the most of the outdoor living space, Munguia

selected cedar decking. Smart choice. Cedar’s naturalproperties make it naturally resistant to rot, decay andinsects, so this freestanding deck which provides amaz-ing views of the water, the coastline, downtown Vancouver and the north shore mountains will last the clients along time.

Additionally, Western Red Cedar is a green choice.

This is always important, especially somewhere as beautiful and pristine as Galiano, often referred to as “thegem of the Gulf Islands.”

Cedar enhances the linesof the design, grounds it to
the context, and gives thenatural and local feel wewere looking to achieve.
R O D R I G O M U N G U I A , Tr i m S t u d i o

44S T R AT E G I C S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
For aesthetic and budgetary reasons,a combination of knotty and clear
grades of cedar were specified forthis project.

As the name suggests, the base ofthis two-storey tiny home is only 100 sq ft,
but Trim’s innovative slanted wall design

allows the interior space to accommodate akitchenette, living room, electric-incinerating
toilet, and a queen size bed. Meanwhile, theuse of naturally finished, knotty Western Red

Cedar inside and out allow the structure andits inhabitants to be at one with nature.

45

GRADEKD Architect Knotty
decking, KD Select Knotty
ceiling and ‘A’ & Better
trim boards

FINAL TOUCHES
Trim Studio opted forclear matte finishes toembrace the cedar’s innate
beauty and keep it as
natural as possible.

SIZE
VariesFA S T E N I N G
Stainless steel
APPLIED FINISH
Clear stain
SUPPLIER
MANUFACTURER: Interfor
DISTRIBUTOR: Still Creek
Forest Products

46

ADDITION TO THE ARCHITECT’S OWN HOMEF O R H I M S E L F, H I S W I F E , T W O C H I L D R E N & P R A C T I C E

The
Annex
WHERE
Los Angeles, California, USAA

rchitect Martin Fenlon is no
stranger to the power ofWestern Red Cedar. He usednature’s most versatile building material
to transform a dilapidated LA bungalow
into a bright, beautiful home for his family
back in 2015. So, when it came time tobuild an addition to accommodate his
growing family, he once again turned toWestern Red Cedar.

47

ARCHITECT
Martin Fenlon
Architecture

CLIENT
Martin Fenlon& Nicole Mihalka

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Martin Fenlon

PHOTOGRAPHYJohn Linden

10

N AT U R A L S E L E C T I O N
Since sustainability was a primary tenet of
this project, Western Red Cedar was a natural
choice for architect Martin Fenlon.

48

“The primary focus for the design became thecreation of more usable space and a new yard for thechildren to play in,” explains Fenlon. “The cedar-clad
addition delivered perfectly on these needs.”

With a big, cedar-trimmed retractable windowwall system that opens up to the newly formed yard,“The Annex” blurs the lines between inside andout beautifully.

“The warmth and beauty of the new yard and theWestern Red Cedar waschosen because it isbeautiful, sustainable
and durable.
MARTIN FENLON, AIA

new family room is indebted to the WCR throughout,”says Fenlon. “The unanimous reaction to the finishedproduct is that it’s warm, beautiful and simply stunning.”
Also new to this addition is a large picture window

facing the street, a dramatic feature that has become
the project’s biggest attention grabber.

49

MIXED GRADES
To maintain consistency with the original
bungalow, a combination of knotty and clear
cedar was used throughout the addition.

“It’s wrapped in a clear cedar surround“Sustainability was a primary tenet

that passes from interior to exterior,” ex-of the work,” he says. “An open space

the exterior it forms a striking contrast

buildings and impermeable paving. The

plains the award-winning architect. “Fromwith the shou sugi ban wood that reminds
people of a picture frame. From the in-side, the cedar surround seems to project
the exterior into the interior space.”

As well as beautiful, the project isgreen, which was really important to theeco-conscious father of two.

GRADE
KD ‘A’ & Betterand KD SelectKnottyhas been carved out of an area of old

new trees and plantings provide natural
air conditioning, help clean the air and

CONTRASTING FINISHESThe knotty cedar was shousugi ban, and the clear
was naturally stained,creating a dramatic
contrast that showcases
cedar’s versatility.

are now home to various birds, butterflies,
bees and bugs. And since wood is the

only renewable building material, I wanted it showcased throughout as a bold,
distinctive sustainable material.”

SIZE
1x4 and 1x6

FA S T E N I N G
Stainless steel
fasteners

APPLIED FINISH
Shou sugi ban, clear stain

50

11

ARCHITECT
Snøhetta, DIALOG

WARM WELCOME
Upon entering the library,
visitors encounter alobby awash with naturallight and warmth from theinspired use of cedar.

51

CLIENT
Calgary
Municipal Land
Corporation(CMLC)STRUCTURALENGINEER
StructureCraft

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Stuart Olson

PHOTOGRAPHY
Lucus Epp &Julian Parkinson

A R T S & C U LT U R E

Calgary
Central Library
WHERE
Calgary, Alberta, CanadaProving you can never havetoo much of a good thing, theCalgary Central Library uses
approximately 21,000 SF of Western
Red Cedar on its soffit, which is also oneof the largest freeform double-curved
surfaces in the world. For the Snøhettaarchitecture team—who co-designed thetechnologically advanced public spacewith DIALOG—using nature’s most versatilebuilding material on community projects
is somewhat of a specialty.
52

C A L C U L AT E D C U T S
Custom algorithms
were written to
create a seemingly
random pattern ofbatten joints acrossthe show-stoppingcedar soffit.

The Norwegian trans-disciplinary firm also built

the Charles Library at Temple University in Philadelphia, using over 25,500 SF of Western Red Cedaron the main dome which is a 42' tall doublecurved ellipsoid.

As for DIALOG, using beautiful warm wood tocreate bold civic buildings is nothing new either.

But together, these award-winning firms really out
did themselves when it comes to incorporating
natural materials with contemporary design for
maximum impact.

Inspired by the nearby foothills, the site is trans-

formed into a terraced topography that rises up andover the existing Light Rail Transit Line crossing thesite. The lifted library, with an open entry at the heartof the site, allows for a visual and pedestrian connection between East Village and Calgary’s downtown.
For the stunning cedar soffit, Vancouver-basedengineering firm, StructureCraft was brought onboard to design and build the freeform wood structure. The cladding is formed into a series of arches
and curves inspired by the Chinook winds, with

Western Red Cedar
battens flowing along theceiling and down to thewalls—difficult to not catchthe visitor’s attention.
L U C A S E P P, L e a d E n g i n e e r53

Western Red Cedar battens creating a series ofbifurcating patterns across the surface. To achieve

this doubly curved underbelly, the battens were ini-

tially straight but then bent and twisted as they wereapplied onto panels, following minimum energy
curves known as geodesics across the surface.

Thanks to the rich warmth and natural beautyof cedar, this magnificent modern mass creates aninviting opening and acts as the welcoming point for
all visitors.

B O L D S TAT E M E N T
The cedar soffit is a beautiful contrast to
the dynamic, triple-glazed façade, which iscomposed of a modular, hexagonal pattern.

54

GRADEKD ‘A’ & Better

APPLIED FINISH
None

SIZE
1x4

SUPPLIER
Bakerview Forest
Products

FA S T E N I N GBlind fastened55M A I N AT T R A C T I O N
Each cedar panels curve
down toward the ground,creating an entrance
intended to attract the
public into the building.

56

TA ST I N G R O O M

Sokol Blosser
WineryPavilion
WHERE
Dayton, Oregon, USAC

radled in Oregon’s wine
country, Sokol Blosser Winery
Pavilion is a social hub for theentire 100-acre estate. Stretching west toeast between the original 1970’s winerybuildings and a stand of native Oregon
White Oaks, the pavilion offers sweeping
views of the landscape, and a range ofspaces for gathering, entertaining andwine tasting.

57

BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Utilizing the principles from the
Living Building Challenge, thepavilion exhibits an affinity forthe living world around it.

ARCHITECT
Allied Works
Architecture

CLIENT
Sokol Blosser
WineryGENERALCONTRACTOR
R & H
Construction,
Portland, Oregon

PHOTOGRAPHY
JeremyBittermann

1258

BEAUTIFUL DISGUISE
A living roof further blends
the building back into therolling hillside of the land.

The heart of the building is a beautiful“Subtle pushes and pulls from squarecedar-clad pavilion, which is flanked by a

Cedar is arich, distinctive
as well as a secret garden—complete withstunning cedar decks and walkways—promaterial,
vide opportunities for enjoying wine, foodcapable ofand company in all seasons.
As with the exterior surfaces, thevaried interior
interior is almost entirely clad in a warm
and textured knotty grade of Westernand exterior
Red Cedar, as if the entire structure wereuses andcarved from a single mass.
“The materiality and detailing of thefinishes.
wood were central to the project vision,”or rectangular forms give the building acellar and VIP room. Generous overhangs

terials blur the boundaries between inte-

Principal at Allied Works Architecture.

color over time.

library, an eat-in test kitchen, an in-groundexplains Nathan Hamilton, Associate

N AT H A N H A M I LT O N ,A l l i e d Wo r k s A r c h i t e c t u r emore organic feel, just as the unity of marior and exterior. Altogether, the building
simply feels more ‘of’ the landscape thanany standard form of construction.”

As for finishing, the AWA team opted

for contrasting colors to emphasize public
spaces. The outward facing façade wasstained with a a dark, semi-solid stain,

while the interiors and recessed areasof the exterior were finished with atransparent stain intended to preserve,

as closely as possible, the natural appearance of the cedar, while maintaining that
According to Hamilton: “Now in

its seventh year, the cedar has maintained its fresh appearance andis weathering beautifully.”59

GRADEKD Select Knotty siding &ceiling and KD Architect
Knotty decking
SIZE
2x4 decking, 1x6 ceiling
paneling and thickbutt bevel
FA S T E N I N G
Stainless steel
APPLIED FINISH
EXTERIOR:
Dark gray semi solid stain
INTERIOR & DECKING:
Transparent stain
SUPPLIER
Disdero Lumber Company

F U L LY I N T E G R AT E D
The pavilion appears
almost transparent withfloor to ceiling glass
allowing the landscapeto visually flow throughthe building.

60

About theWestern Red Cedar
Lumber Association
The 13th volume of the Cedar Book profiles stunning

Western Red Cedar is one of nature’s truly remarkable

and award-winning architecture from inspired architects

materials. It absorbs and stores greenhouse gases, generates

started centuries ago when the Indigenous Peoples of thethan alternatives, and comes from a renewable and sustainablearound the world. These architects continue a tradition that
Pacific Northwest recognized the value of using this uniquewood species.

First Nations people recognized Western Red Cedar’snatural durability, characteristics and versatility, making it thepreferred choice for building ocean-going canoes and post-

and-beam houses and lodges. Today’s discerning architects andbuilders enhance their projects with this stunning, versatile andsustainable building material. Nature still knows best. Despite all

efforts at imitation, no man-made product can match the beauty,
performance and longevity of Western Red Cedar—somethingthat this book, as well as the RealCedar.com online gallery,

undoubtedly illustrates.

less water and air pollution, requires less energy to produce

resource. More than ever before, we must find ways to reduce

the pressure on our planet’s environment and finite resources.
By choosing products with a light carbon footprint andby reducing waste, we can have a real impact on climatechange 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 book will inspire
you to consider Western Red Cedar for your next project.

© 2020 Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. All rights reserved.
The Cedar Book Volume XIII, 1st Edition. Printed in Canada.

PROD UCED W IT H T H E G E N E RO U S S U P P O RT O F

Need help selecting, specifying or sourcing the right Western Red Cedar products?
Contact the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association and we will be glad to assist.

realcedar.com

D E SIGNED A N D P RO D U C E D B Y

bare.ca
SARAH ROWLAND

editorBETH HIRD

copy editor

JOEY POBLADOR

design