C E LE B R AT I N G W E STERN RED CEDARA R CHI T E CT U RAL DESIGNFOREWORD
BY CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT

It was over a decade ago that I first cameacross an issue of this Cedar Book series,and each year I look forward to the newaddition. Even amidst the current abundanceof books, magazines, and now blogs andsocial media platforms for design enthusiasts
to share architectural projects, the Cedar
Book remains one of my favorite sources ofarchitectural inspiration.
I am drawn to the Cedar Book because of mygreat love of wood, so I am inspired to see
how others worldwide employ Western Red
Cedar in their designs. I am delighted to be apart of this year’s edition.
My primary task as an architect is juggling
the seemingly endless number of competing
factors and requirements. I must simultaneously
consider the project at all scales, from the mostintricate detail to the building’s relation to its
immediate surroundings and beyond. For me,architecture is about creating spaces where
people feel comfortable - places of wonder,
beauty, and delight.
My designs result from an interplay of details,
textures, form, and place. I’m particularlyinterested in the experiential quality ofarchitecture, motivated by how space,texture, light, and materials feel. Cedar has
a rich experiential quality that contributes
to the atmosphere of beauty and naturalpresence I seek to create. It is a friendly andflexible material that suggests warmth and aconnection to nature. It has a tactile quality,
smells good, provides excellent acoustics,
and has a particular psychological effecton us - a calming and restful effect. Being
surrounded by cedar makes us feel good.
It is also a material with thousands ofpossibilities for use. On a small scale, it hasendless possibilities for exquisite detailing.
On a larger scale, cedar has great potential tocreate serene structures intimately connectedto the landscape. Structures clad in cedar
seem to have a unique ability to appear as if
naturally growing out of their surroundings.
I care deeply about the future of the structures
I design. What will become of them overthe coming fifty, one hundred, or several
hundred years? Taken good care of, wood
can last generations and is a material thatwill aesthetically stand the test of time. It is
comforting and poetic that the cedar I use
will eventually decompose back to the earthor be recycled for other uses.

01
04
PG 01

LAKE FRONT HOUSE
LAKE OSWEGO,
OREGON, USA

PG 19

LAGUNA ROWCARLSBAD,CALIFORNIA, USA

PG 23

THE NORDIC BARN
HOUSE PROJECTTABLE OFCONTENTS

08
11

02
0
AARHUS,
DENMARK

0
12

PG 39

PG 45

WII GYEMSIGASIWILAAWKSATSTUDENT HOUSINGCHUNG TAIZEN CENTERTERRACE,
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADAPG 55

SHIBUMI HOUSESTRAFFORD,MISSOURI, USA

BOULDER,COLORADO, USA

2
05
PG 07

IKOI SHOWROOM
KAKOGAWA,HYŌGO PREF. JAPANPG 73 ABOUT REAL CEDAR
PG 75 RESOURCE CENTER
PG 77 CREDITS

09
2
PG 61

SHORELAND OVERLOOKSQUAM LAKE,NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA

03
06
07
10
13
PG 13

HALFMOON BAY CABINHALFMOON BAY,
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

PG 29

THE MONOCULAR
CHESTER BASIN,NOVA SCOTIA, CANADAPG 35

OUTSIDE IN HOUSE
VESTFOLD,NORWAYPG 49

KAYAK POINT HOUSESTANWOOD,WASHINGTON, USA

PG 67

WANUSKEWIN

SASKATOON,SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA
XV 0 2

ARCHITECT
Giulietti Schouten
Weber Architects

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Madden & Baughman
Engineering

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Riverland Homes

PHOTOGRAPHYDavid Papazian

LAKE FRONTHOUSERESIDENTIAL

The clients here wanted to substantially alter an existing home they had
recently bought, so that it was more streamlined - easier said than doneon a tight, steeply sloping, infill lot that terraces down to Lake Oswego.
Architects Tim Schouten and Jake Weber and their team rose to thechallenge by designing a compact, three-tiered plan, with undulating,

LOCATION Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA

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01
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offset boxes strategically embedded into the hillside to maximize
views of the water while providing privacy from the neighbors.
The clients also wanted their waterfront property to be morein line with the Pacific Northwest Modern design aesthetic.
Ergo, “liberal use of wood” was one of the main goals fromday one, and not just any wood, but nature’s most versatilebuilding material.
“Western Red Cedar is a natural choice for a lot of our projects
in the Pacific Northwest because it is locally and sustainably
sourced and a natural material that withstands the wide varietyof environments that we build in,” explains Weber.
With that in mind, they used Real Cedar to accentuate theseunique forms including cedar siding on the top two levels, withthe top level stained a dark gray color and the middle level
stained in a natural cedar color for contrast. The boat house
was also clad in vertical tongue and groove siding and stained
dark gray to match the house.

DETAILS
GRADE
Clear
SIZE
1x4 fineline T&G
eaves/ceiling
1x4 & 1x6 fineline
T&G siding
FASTENING
Blind nail,stainless steel
APPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent stain
Clear stain
WESTERN CEDAR
SUPPLIER
Lakeside Lumber

XV04

To blur the line between indoor
and outdoor, Real Cedar wasused on the interior ceilings of theupper level where a large sliding
glass door opens to a covered
deck with matching cedar ceilings.
This choice in material helps draw
the view of the lake deep into thespace and expand the indoors, out.
It also creates a welcoming interior.
“We often find that use of woodindoors also naturally helps warm
up the space, especially in the caseof modern designs where muchof the interior is streamlined andfocused on views beyond,” says
the award-winning architect.

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“

We always strive fortimelessness in design,
and using natural materials
like Western Red Cedar is
one of the best ways ofachieving that.”- Jake Weber, AIA

XV06

ARCHITECT
Shoji Keisuke Atelier

CLIENTSHOWA GROUP

GENERALCONTRACTORSHOWA GROUP

PHOTOGRAPHY
Visual Works SPSIKOISHOWROOMCOMMERCIAL

If you’re a high-end developer looking to attract more clientsby highlighting your ingenuity and craftsmanship, not just any
showroom will do. That’s why residential and commercial builder,
SHOWA GROUP, hired Shoji Keisuke Atelier (SA) to design its
showroom. The award-winning architect firm knew the facade was
key to making an impact on potential customers.

LOCATION Kakogawa-city,
Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

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02
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“I expended so much energy
on eaves and wall angles
and took a process of trial
and error on making perfectpatterns for the exterior
appearance,” explains Keisuke
Shoji, lead architect at SA.
He tempered these sharp
modern lines with the richtonal range of Western
Red Cedar. The result is atruly striking street entrance
that leaves all passersby
awe-struck. And creatingarchitecture that stands out
in a city of ancient temples,avantgarde storefronts and

09XV

cherry blossom parks is noeasy feat.
But Keisuke is no stranger
to the visual power ofWestern Red Cedar siding incontemporary design.
“We have used Western
Red Cedar several times
in the past,” says Keisuke.
“We believe Western Red
Cedar is irreplaceable as anexterior material.”
The client couldn’t agree
more. They were on board
from the beginning.

XV10

“When I proposed the design to the client, they
liked it right away,” he recalls. “They hoped to havea high-impact showroom that no one has ever seen
before in Kakogawa.”“And I believe that’s what we delivered,” continues
Keisuke. “The showroom has become more than aplace for just meetings. Instead, it’s a place for people
to feel comfortable and experience the warmth ofwood. The client’s so happy with the completedbuilding, they’ve gone as far as saying, ‘it’s going to bea new landmark in the city.’”That’s not all. But because they chose top-performing
Real Cedar for the building’s most talked about design
feature, the Ikoi Showroom will remain a beacon of
innovative architecture for decades to come - making
it somewhat of a legacy project for both architect
and client.

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DETAILSGRADE
KD Clear MG
SIZE
1x6 v-joint T&G
FASTENING
Blind nailed
APPLIED FINISH
Transparent stain
WESTERN RED
CEDAR SUPPLIER
Takahiro Lumber
Co., Ltd.

“

Cedar siding creates warmthand makes a big impact.”- Keisuke Shoji, Architect

XV12

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ARCHITECT
Patrick Warren

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Ennova StructuralEngineers

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Vernon Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY
Ema Peter

HALFMOONBAY CABINRESIDENTIAL

A labor of love, Halfmoon Bay was designed as a retreat from thecity for (and by) architect Patrick Warren and his partner, a marine
biologist. As such, every aspect of the home is an expression of thecouple’s love and respect for nature.

“The site felt like a national park, and we knew it was the right site
immediately,” says Warren, who is a Senior Associate at Frits de Vries

LOCATION Halfmoon Bay,
British Columbia, Canada

XV14

15XV

Architects + Associates. “We camped on the property to
get to know it better. The plan actually emerged from thoseinitial camping visits, and we didn’t want to lose that senseof discovery that you get from camping. If the house wastoo stiff we would have lost something of the wildness.”
With that in mind, the home was built on a natural benchof the site, preserving almost all of the existing trees on
the property. In accordance to minimizing the structure’s
footprint, the overall design goal was to create a seamlessconnection with the outdoors.
“The continuity of the roof form in contrast to the smaller
planes of glass wall creates the experience of the roof
being primary, and the glass that divides the indoors
from out being secondary,” he explains. “The effect verymuch breaks down the division between the indoors andout. The roof extending over the covered outdoor spaceconnects those spaces and embraces them.”

DETAILSGRADE
KD Select Knotty
KD ‘A’ and better louvers
SIZE
1x4 T&G fineline soffit& interiors
1x6 T&G fineline siding
2x10 S4S louvers
FASTENING
Stainless steel
siding nails
APPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent onyx
stain siding
Transparent stain interiors& soffit
FINISH SUPPLIER
Sansin

XV16

Another way he created harmony
between site and structure is throughthe extensive use of beautiful,sustainable Western Red Cedar
throughout including siding, soffit,
ceiling, walls, kitchen cabinets andlouvers. Except for the louvers,
he selected a beautiful knotty
grade of cedar, which adds a lotof warmth and texture to their
beloved sanctuary.
“A house should be a world, unto its
own, that emerges from the meetingof the experienced environment
with the story of the inhabitant,”
says the award-winning architect.
“And this home is a deeply personal
exploration of that idea.”

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“

The project would havea completely different
character without
the use of cedar. It is
actually impossible toimagine the project
without it.”- Patrick Warren, Architect

XV18

ARCHITECT
Brett Farrow
Architect, Inc.

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Solid PlanEngineering- Sean Kessel

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Brett Farrow
Architect, Inc.

DEVELOPER
Laguna Project,
LP/Brett Farrow
Architect, Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Exteriors Auda & Auda
Photography

LAGUNAROW
MULTI-FAMILY

For this project, Brett Farrow wasa man with many hats. He wasthe architect, developer and realestate marketer. Of course, taking
on so many roles is not without
its challenges but it also has somekey advantages. Most notably, it
gave him greater control over theend product, which is a stunning
13-home urban infill that celebrates
natural modern living on a lagoon.

LOCATION Carlsbad, California, USA

19XV

It’s a contemporary, multi-family residential
project that is anything but cookie-cutter.
But more than that, it’s a project driven by
Farrow’s own long standing environmental
beliefs. That’s why he pursued a redevelopment
project that can use existing utilities and allows
people to live in a walkable community that
does not require a car.

04
XV20

“Equally important to preventing sprawl and traffic is the sourcing ofmaterials and strategies for systems,” explains Farrow. “Primary to this was
selecting Western Red Cedar because it’s renewable, durable, naturally
beautiful and captures carbon. It’s timeless and yet ages beautifully.”
The desire to harmonize with nature was especially important given
the environmentally sensitive setting. He wanted his row of 3-storey
detached homes to convey this intention. So, he clad them all in a
beautiful knotty grade of Real Cedar siding. It’s a green choice thathe could feel good about showcasing so prominently. That’s because
Real Cedar is certified by internationally recognized, independent
forest certification agencies. It’s also a design decision that significantly
enhanced the visual impact of his project’s exterior. After all, nothing
looks quite as good as the rich tonal range of Real Cedar.
“It’s a bold statement that says many things on many levels - quality,
natural, out of the ordinary,” says the award-winning architect. “Mostprojects of this type and size revert to stucco or cement board siding
but I think people recognized the uniqueness of the application. It
definitely drew a different demographic.”

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DETAILSGRADE
KD Select Knotty
SIZE
1x6 T&G finelinesquare-edge
FASTENING
Stainless steel
siding nails
APPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent
stain

“

Knotty cedar tells a story andcommunicates an authenticity
that you don’t get from othersiding products.”- Brett Farrow, AIA

XV22

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23XV

ARCHITECT
Bruno Jakobsen
DesignSTRUCTURALENGINEER
Rønslev AS

GENERALCONTRACTORPeter Præst
Aps

PHOTOGRAPHY
Bruno Jakobsen,
Jakob Lerche

THE NORDICBARN HOUSE
PROJECTRESIDENTIAL

Set on a hilly, forested plot of land, this spa-like compound is all aboutcommuning with nature. Every structure on the property is situated insuch a way that all the existing deciduous trees remain untouched andcan be experienced from the inside.
LOCATION Aarhus, Denmark

XV24

This was especially important for
the architect, Bruno Jakobsen, who
designed the home for his family.
Being both client and architect gave
him the opportunity to explore
his creativity and raise the bar on
innovative ways to harmonize withthe surrounding ecosystem.
“I allowed myself to play andtest new ways of thinking abouthousing and architecture,”
explains Jakobsen. “The project
had to benefit the surrounding
nature 100%. It was important thateveryone in the family should havethe pleasure of looking at nature,
regardless of where in the housethey stay.”

25XV

The result is two contemporary
longhouses connected by a glass
atrium in the middle, along witha workshop, studio, sauna tower,
outdoor soaker tub and a goat
shed surrounding the wooded
landscape. All of which are clad inbeautiful sustainable Real Cedar.
As are the floating overhangs on
both sides, which break up thefacades, an architectural detailthat gives something completely
unique to the whole project.

“

Cedar creates an architecturethat only gets more beautiful
over time.”- Bruno Jakobsen, Architect

XV26

“It was the plan from the start - I’m a big fan ofWestern Red Cedar,” says Jakobsen of nature’s
most versatile building material. “The choice of
cedar has clearly moved the project up a level.
Cedar creates an expression that other materials
can’t imitate.”Indeed. Not only is this stunning example ofauthentic Nordic longhouse architecture his placeof residence. It’s also his calling card, earning him
recognition and accolades from around the world.
“I think the reason this project has touched so many
people’s hearts is the harmonization with the forest,”
he says. “The total experience with which the wholeproject is conceived and the consistency with which
the materials are put together gives a very uniquearchitectural experience.”

27XV

DETAILSGRADE
KD Clear
SIZE
1x6
FASTENING
Stainless steel
siding nails
APPLIED FINISH
None

XV28

ARCHITECTRHAD Architects

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Andrea Doncaster
Engineering Ltd.

GENERALCONTRACTORBlack Diamond Builders

PHOTOGRAPHY
Julian Parkinson,
Format Films

THE
MONOCULARRESIDENTIAL

Nestled in the heart of Nova Scotia’s south
shore, this gorgeous weekend home is perchedhigh on a hill, away from the water’s edge giving
it sweeping views of the saltwater basin.

The lower floor of the main house is a simple
open concept with a living, dining and kitchenarea. The upper floor contains three bedrooms
and two bathrooms. There’s also a guest bunkie
connected by a covered walkway.

LOCATION Chester Basin, Nova Scotia, Canada

29XV

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XV30

The entire project is clad invertical and horizontal Western
Red Cedar siding and slats. In
addition to being a top-performing
building material that can stand up
to the sometimes harsh Atlantic
climate, Real Cedar met two of
the clients’ main goals: make it
low maintenance and energy
efficient. Ergo, an obvious choice
for lead architect, Rayleen Hill.
“Western Red Cedar provides
a natural look that blends withthe landscape that surrounds
the area,” explains Hill. “Cedar isalso readily available in our area.
It has low embodied energy and

31XV

acts as a carbon store, making
for a good cladding source. It’s
also a natural material and will
minimize waste at its end of life.”
One of the standout features is
the two-storey, cedar, outdoor
shower. The other is the slatted
cedar cladding over the screen

porch area that provides a beautiful lanterneffect when looking up at the house fromthe basin.
Adding to the warmth and texture of these
two elements is the beautiful knotty grade

XV32

of cedar, which the clients
opted to leave unfinishedso the wood could graynaturally.
“In the setting, we wanted
a natural finish to flow withthe buildings’ shape andrequire minimal future
maintenance,” explainshomeowner Andrew
Noseworthy. “As the
product has aged over the
first two years, it still has
unique colors with eachboard having its
own characteristics.”

33XV

DETAILSGRADE
KD Select Knotty
SIZE
1x6 shiplap
FASTENING
Stainless steel
siding nails
APPLIED FINISH
None
WESTERN RED
CEDAR SUPPLIER
GoodFellow

“The backdrop of Western Red Cedar in both vertical andhorizontal lengths looks and smells wonderful in all four seasons.”- Andrew Noseworthy, Homeowner

XV34

ARCHITECT
Vigsnæs+Kosberg
Arkitekter

STRUCTURALENGINEER
K2 AS

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Torolf Stenersen AS

PHOTOGRAPHY
Nils Petter Dahle andClaes Heske Ekornaas“What kind of wood is it?” That’s the first thing people usually ask when theyfirst lay eyes on the Outside in House.
It’s a fair question. The entire house is clad in Western Red Cedar, a species ofwood that’s not as common in Norway as it is in North America and beyond.
So, awe-struck visitors and architectural enthusiasts are naturally curious about
the building material that made this Scandinavian beach house such a standout.
Not the create team at Vigsnæs+Kosberg Architects though. The award-winningfirm is well-versed in the many ways cedar can enhance a residential project.
They’ve used it on other homes featured in the Cedar Book series.

OUTSIDE IN

RESIDENTIAL

LOCATION Vestfold, Norway

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HOUSE
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37XV

“The feel of the cedar is just special,”
explains project architect Claes Cho
Heske Ekornås. “It’s extra soft comparedto some other materials. And tactility isimportant when it’s so much wood, tophysically touch the walls and “feel” andexperience the house.”

It’s a truly unique site plan that inspired
some equally unique siding applications.
Both outside and inside walls featurecustomized cedar panels. On the inside,
they are straight edged, and on the outsideeach panel has been cut with an angle on
the edges to make the pointed form.

For this project, Vigsnæs+Kosberg
Architects team really maximized cedar’s
versatility with an innovative building
program. The first floor houses the living
areas and the master bedroom. This areaconnects to a glass corridor that leads toa courtyard atrium, with swimming pools,
integrated waterfalls and lounges. The
top floor is for the children with their own
room, baths and a loft leisure space.

“It was important to achieve precision withthe tilted panels, and the workability of
the cedar wood made it possible to haveclean and sharp cuts and edges,” says
Ekornås, who’s glad his clients were on
board with the use of cedar. “The finishedhouse is confirmation that it was definitely
the right choice.”

DETAILSGRADEKD Clear
SIZE
1x10 flush joint T&G
FASTENING
Stainless steel
APPLIED FINISH
None“

Cedar’s benefits enhance theproject like no other wood orother material could have done.”- Claes Cho Heske Ekornås, Project Architect

XV38

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39XV

ARCHITECT
hcma

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Scouten Engineering

CLIENT
Coast MountainCollege

GENERALCONTRACTORIDL Projects Inc

PHOTOGRAPHY
Brit Kwasney

WII GYEMSIGASIWILAAWKSATSTUDENT ACCOMODATIONSSTUDENT HOUSING
Sitting on the traditional territory of the Tsimshian Kitsumkalum people,
Wii Gyemsiga Siwilaawksat is a new student housing building locatedon the Coast Mountain College (CMTN) campus in the mountainous
northwest region of Terrace, BC.

LOCATION Terrace, British Columbia, Canada

XV40

The goal here was to replace aging facilities with
culturally supportive and safe living quarters toempower Indigenous students. As such, the design
process was guided by local Indigenous leaders toensure the building was informed by their peoples’
stories, knowledge, customs and way of life.
To articulate this rich history and culture, theIndigenous-led design team turned to the building
material of their ancestors.
“The overall design was inspired by sacred cedar,”explains Indigenous architect Aiden Callison, Director,
Community + Indigenous Projects of hcma - that’s
the Vancouver-based interdisciplinary design firmbrought on to collaborate on this special project.

41XV

“The cedar tree is a symbolof the northwest coast,”
continues Callison. “Usedfor shelter, clothing,transportation, ceremony,and spiritual beliefs, cedar
has been integral to local
First Nations’ culture forthousands of years.”
The result is a beautifully
detailed, high-performancecedar-clad building that
includes: 108 beds, 6 shared
kitchens, dining areas, projectrooms, maker space, culturalroom, computer lab, E-sports
room and bicycle storage.

XV42

The heart of the building has to be the cedar-paneled central
lobby, a celebration space which mimics a hollow cedar
tree. Above, a primary wood pin-wheel structure symbolizes
the branches of a cedar tree with shafts of sunlight shining
through. As well, cedar was used as a cultural expression
through numerous Indigenous art installations.
Named by the Kitsumkalum community, Wii Gyemsiga
Siwilaawksat translates in Sm’algyax to “Where learners
are content or comfortable.” And for CMTN First Nations
students like Kobe Antoine, that’s exactly what this warm
inspired space means to him.
“It makes me want to put in more effort into my work
because I finally have the right workspace to think clearly,”says Antoine. “It makes me feel acknowledged as a student
and I just really want to keep learning here.”

43XV

DETAILSGRADE
KD Select Knotty
SIZE
1x6 T&G
FASTENING
Blind nailed
APPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent
onyx exterior
Transparent stain
interior
FINISH SUPPLIER
Sansin“It felt culturally appropriate
for this sacred material to
be chosen for this project
to create a space that issafe and welcoming.”- Karen Marler, Principal of hcma

XV44

ARCHITECT
Sopher Sparn
Architects

STRUCTURALENGINEER
JVA Incorporated

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Adolfson & Peterson
Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY
Brad Nicol

CHUNG TAIZEN CENTER

COMMUNITY

Surrounded by mountains and sweeping hills, this Buddhist Monastery needed tomeet certain sustainability standards to protect the natural ecosystem around it.
Add to that, the Buddhist client’s centuries old tradition of living in harmony with theplanet. So not just any green building materials would do.
Knowing this, a lot of research and calculations went into Sopher Sparn Architects’
decision-making process. In the end, they went with glue laminated timber beams

LOCATION Boulder, Colorado, USA

45XV

09
XV46

and exposed Cross-laminated timber(CLT) roof panels for this 21,000 squarefoot meditation hall. It’s a choice thatoffers a minimal carbon footprint and abeautiful aesthetic.

In keeping with this natural vibe, they needed anequally sustainable siding material that would
complement the mass timber system. They chose
beautiful Western Red Cedar to clad the sun-filledplace of worship.

By the firm’s calculations, the use of masstimber in this project alone stores 457
metric tons of C02, equivalent to keeping
411 cars off the road for a year.

From an environmental perspective, top-performing
cedar is very much in line with the project’s green
goals. After all, when it comes to living at one withnature, you can’t beat renewable, biodegradable,
3rd party certified Real Cedar. And from a design
perspective, the warm glow of cedar’s rich tonal range
makes it the perfect pairing for mass timber products.

“Ongoing research and studies have shownmass timber construction has a smaller
environmental footprint than traditionalbuilding materials – it is less carbon
intensive and can store more carbon thatwould otherwise be emitted back into theatmosphere,” explains Principal-in-Charge,
Stephen Sparn. “These facts helped ourteam solidify our choice.”

47XV“Together, they evoke tranquility,” says Adrian
Sopher, Design Principal at Sopher Sparn
Architects. “The warmth and natural aesthetic of
the wood materials all align with the principlesof minimalism and simplicity that are key to thepractice of Buddhism.”

DETAILSGRADEKD Clear VG
SIZE
1x6 fineline T&G
FASTENING
Blind nailed“Western Red Cedar
was a perfectnatural and beautiful
complement tothe building and its
natural setting.”- Stephen Sparn, AIAAPPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent
stain
WESTERN RED
CEDAR SUPPLIER
Speciality Wood
Products

XV48

10
49XV

ARCHITECT
Christopher WrightArchitecture

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Peter Gintautas
Nalis, A.E.C

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Grapestone
Construction

INTERIORDESIGN
Gary Henderson
Interiors

PHOTOGRAPHY
Anna Spencer

KAYAK
POINT
HOUSE

RESIDENTIAL

Prior to working with Christopher
Wright Architecture, thehomeowners enjoyed theirwaterfront property in its naturalstate for years. They cherishedthe views and the trees so much,they only wanted to develop
it if they could preserve theland’s inherent beauty. So when
Wright came onboard, the biggest
challenge was placing the house
among all those beloved trees
without removing any or disrupting
their root systems.

LOCATION Stanwood, Washington, USA

XV50

The solution? The central
section of the house was
not given a foundation.
Instead, Wright designed
two large steel beams tospan and suspend the entry
and study, creating a bridge
between the bedroom wing
and the living, dining, andkitchen areas.
The clients also wanted
a single level home tobetter disappear into thetexture of the land. The
result is a modest, simple
but finely detailed house.
“The house is not large
but has a great variety“
51XV

The house would not be the same without therichness and sensuality that the cedar provides.”- Christopher Wright, Architect (WRCLA member)of spatial experiences with a mixof high and very low ceilings,”
explains Wright. “There is abalance of intimate and expansive
spaces. One can almost reach up
and touch the cedar ceilings inmuch of the house.”
As a long-time practitioner ofbiophilic design, Wright knows
how important Western Red Cedar
is when it comes to increasing
connectivity between occupants
and the natural world.
“From the beginning, a primary
goal was to create calming spaces
rooted in the site,” says the awardwinning architect. “We used cedar
for its tactile quality and beauty

XV52

and to reflect the immediate surroundings and expansive windows tobring natural light throughout the day. The color and feel of the cedarchanges throughout each day and season, providing a wonderful senseof sensory variability.”
His appreciation of cedar’s ability to enhance a home’s look and feelextends to exterior applications as well, which is why he opted forReal Cedar siding. And he’s glad he did. “The cedar makes the house
what it is,” he says. “I can’t imagine it clad in any other material.”

53XV

DETAILSGRADEKD Clear VG siding KD
Clear VG paneling KD
Clear VG
KD Select Knotty ceiling
SIZE
1x6 siding and ceiling
FASTENING
Blind nailed
APPLIED FINISH
Solid stain
Semi-transparent
weathering stain
WESTERN RED
CEDAR SUPPLIER
Sound Cedar Co.

XV54

ARCHITECT
Arkifex Studios

STRUCTURALENGINEER
J&M Engineering

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Brad KingPHOTOGRAPHY
Aaron Kimberlin

SHIBUMIHOUSERESIDENTIAL

Tucked in the Ozark Mountain region of southwest Missouri, this home is only a 10
minute drive to the nearest city and yet, it almost disappears into the surrounding
forest and feels miles away from civilization. And that’s exactly the point.
“Seeking escape from the corporate environment, the clients came to Arkifex witha simple desire,” explains lead designer Blaine Whisenhunt. “And that desire was

LOCATION Strafford, Missouri, USA

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11
XV56

to design a house that had a zen-likefeeling when they came home fromtheir busy executive jobs.”
As well as creating a sanctuary
in the densely treed and rolling
hills, the design concept waslargely informed by the architect’s
appreciation for Japanesearchitecture. So when it came tosiding, they turned to an ancientmethod of wood finishing: shoushugi ban.
For optimal results, they knew thebest wood for the job could only
be Western Red Cedar. That’s
because cedar’s naturally occurring
chemical properties make it ideal
for this technique.

57XV

“

The use of cedar allowed the designconcept to be coherently expressedand provided a warm and natural
feel to the material palette.”- Blaine Whisenhunt, Design Principal
Arkifex Studios

DETAILSGRADE
KD Select Knotty
SIZE
1x6 T&G flush-joint
FASTENING
Concealed stainlesssteel siding nails

To create even more visual interest, the dark minimalist
facade is contrasted by a dramatic, asymmetrical alcove cladin naturally finished cedar. The two tones against each othermake for a striking juxtaposition that has become the mosttalked about design feature of the home.

APPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent stain
Shou sugi ban
WESTERN RED
CEDAR SUPPLIERBlueLinx“The use of natural materials was important and using
cedar in both natural and charred applications allowed
the concept to be expressed,” says Whisenhunt, “but also

XV58

allowed the house to blend into
the heavily wooded site.”Through strategically placed
windows, slats and eaves, theArkifex team ensured the benefitsof nature’s most versatile building
material could be enjoyed fromwithin the family residence too.
“The cedar application in thisdesign was intended to serve asa visual transition and connection
to the surrounding natural setting- a way to connect the inhabitant
to nature seamlessly throughdesign,” says Whisenhunt. “So,in this way cedar helped us meet
our biophilic design goals.”

59XV

XV60

12
61XV

ARCHITECT
Murdough Design
Architects: Tom
Murdough, Jenny
Tjia, Robert Potish,
Ben Tulman

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Engineer: RSE
Associates

GENERALCONTRACTOR
Wood andClay, Inc.

CLIENT
Julia Gentleman
Byers and Steven
Holtzman

PHOTOGRAPHY
Clayton Boyd

SHORELANDOVERLOOKRESIDENTIAL

When building on a slope that leads down to renowned Squam Lake,
minimizing your environmental impact is paramount. That’s because
the pristine, clear waters are a nesting site for loons, eagles, and great
blue herons. It’s also home to many fish species, including bass,
pickerel, perch, trout, and salmon. And then there’s the surrounding
forest, an intricate ecosystem in and of itself but also a crucialcomponent to protecting the marine habitat below.

LOCATION Squam Lake, New Hampshire, USA

XV62

Murdough Design Architects took
this responsibility very seriously andlet it guide every design decision
for this weekend retreat. The result
is a stunning vacation home that
harmonizes with the wooded
landscape while minimizing impact
on the shoreline.
“The building feels like it is part ofthe site - it is both rooted and an
outgrowth of its place,” explains
lead architect, Tom Murdough.
“The building volumes recede
into the landscape and have aminimal presence from the lake.
The massing and the rooflines
follow the natural topography ofthe crescent-shape slope and aresituated to take advantage of views
and access to the landscape.

63XV

“

Beyond the performance advantages, we select Western Red
Cedar for most of our projects for its clean and quiet grain pattern
and its warm, soft coloration.”- Tom Murdough, AIA

XV64

“As one moves through the home,” he continues, “spaces
and views unfold, allowing the site’s natural features to reveal
themselves through an architectural framework of linked
vantage points and framing devices. This is most heightened at
the entry breezeway and covered bridge, where these elements
join the disparate architectural geometries of the adjacentbuildings.” As well as an innovative building program, choice inmaterials played a major role in creating seamless connection
between structure and site. With that in mind, Murdough opted
to use naturally beautiful, sustainable Western Red Cedar
extensively throughout.
“The building’s exterior is restrained and camouflaged in thewooded site with dark stained cedar siding favoring the shadowsand glazing either disappearing or reflecting the surroundings,”
says Murdough. “Inside, Western Red Cedar was used to create
a warm and calm environment that intentionally highlights thenatural landscape beyond.”

65XV

DETAILS
GRADE
KD, VG - ’A’
and Better
SIZE
1x6 T&G v-joint
FASTENING
Blind nailed
APPLIED FINISH
Semi-transparent
stain siding
Transparent stain
paneling

XV66

13
67XV

ARCHITECT
aodbt architecture+ interior design

STRUCTURALENGINEER
Robb Kullman
Engineering LLPGeneralCLIENT
Wanuskewin

GENERALCONTRACTOR
QuorexConstruction

PHOTOGRAPHY
Garrett Kendel,
King Rose Visuals

WANUSKEWIN
INDIGENOUS INTERPRETIVE & CULTURAL CENTRE

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a National Historic Site. So, when
taking on a renewal project to restore and expand its Interpretive& Cultural Centre, respect must be paid. That’s something thecreative team at aodbt architecture + interior design understoodfrom the get-go.
Community engagement on the project was extensive, continuous,and crucial to the success of the project, according to aodbt. At
the outset, approximately 80 stakeholders were brought into a
series of project visioning sessions. These sessions, which were

LOCATION Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

XV68

all kicked-off by a ceremony led by
Elders, aligned the project goals andbegan to prioritize the requirementsin the building.
Wanuskewin is a Cree word thatmeans “living in harmony” or“peaceful gathering place.” For
aodbt, this meant transcending theline between the natural and built
environment with a structure thatreflects the rich culture and historyof the Indigenous Peoples of theNorthern Plains.
“A prominent componentof Wanuskewin is the roof,
characterized by sweeping slopes
and angular forms that suggest

69XV

tipis and bison among the rollingprairies,” explains aodbt architect
Ted C. Engel. “The importance of thecircle and the four cardinal directions
are expressed in many aspects of thebuilt environment.”
The roofing material is hand-split
cedar shakes. The process of splitting
shakes by hand renders the wood
impervious to moisture, and sheds
water remarkably well.

XV70

“Western Red Cedar, while a Canadian species, is notnative to Saskatchewan,” remarks Engel. “However,like tobacco, it is an important component ofIndigenous culture.”
In addition to honoring the traditions of the local
community, using sustainable Real Cedar throughout
the exterior and interior of the facility also met theElders’ mandate to make this project as eco-friendly
as possible.
And as Engel points out, the spiritually significant
cedar “exhibits an interesting dual interplay of being
remarkably durable, yet weathering to a beautiful grey
patina – a perfect combination when creating a lasting
prairie aesthetic.”

71XV

DETAILSGRADE
KD Select Knotty
SIZE
1x4 T&G
2x10
FASTENING
Stainless steel
APPLIED FINISH
None

“

Wanuskewin rises fromthe prairie as an organicform. The building employs
components and materials
that are harmonious bothwith the surrounding
landscape and with thetraditions of Indigenous
Peoples of the Northern
Plains. One material that is
uniquely suited to this form
and tradition is cedar.”- Ted C. Engel, Architect,aodbt architecture + interior design

XV72

ABOUT REAL CEDARWESTERN REAL CEDAR LUMBER ASSOCIATION

The 15th volume of the Cedar Book profiles
stunning and award-winning architecture frominspired designers around the world. Thesearchitects continue a tradition that started
centuries ago when the Indigenous Peoples of
the Pacific Northwest recognized the value ofusing this unique wood species.
First Nations people recognized Western Red
Cedar’s natural durability, stability, versatility
and beauty, making it the preferred choice
for building ocean-going canoes, ceremonial
dance masks, totems, basketry, clothing andpost-and-beam houses and lodges. Today’s
discerning architects and builders enhancetheir projects with this stunning, versatile andsustainable building material.
Nature still knows best. Despite all efforts at
imitation, no man-made product can matchthe beauty, performance and longevity ofWestern Red Cedar— something 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 storescarbon, generates less water, air pollution

73XV

and requires less energy to produce thanalternatives. And it comes from a renewable
and sustainable resource.
By choosing products with a light carbon
footprint and by reducing waste, we can havea real impact on climate change now, and into
the future. As part of their commitment totransparency, the Western Red Cedar Lumber
Association has Environmental ProductDeclarations available for siding, decking andother products. We hope this book inspires
you to consider Western Red Cedar for siding,paneling, trim boards, decking, fencing, soffit
and outdoor structures on your next project.

XV74

RESOURCE CENTER
FOR ARCHITECTSINNOVATIVE TOOLS TO KEEP YOU ON
THE LEADING EDGE OF SUSTAINABLE
ARCHITECTURE AND WOOD DESIGN.
Founded in 1954, the Western Red Cedar Lumber
Association (WRCLA) is a non-profit organization that
represents reputable producers of quality cedar. As
the voice of the cedar industry, our mandate is twofold.
The first is to promote the many virtues of Real Cedar.
The second is to educate, support and equiparchitects with the right tools to meet theirenvironmental and design goals. Actually, if truth
be told, our mission is to help you surpass client
expectations with every project you design and build.
With that in mind, we’re thrilled to announce
we recently opened our membership doors toarchitects. This way, we can better facilitate yourarchitectural needs and help keep you on the leadingedge of innovative and sustainable wood design.
And if you’re an architect looking to grow yourbusiness, becoming a member means greater reachto potential clients. As a member, your firm will belisted on realcedar.com (1,200,000 visitors per year).
Your member profile will also include a direct link toyour website, putting more eyes on your portfolio.
As well as enhancing your lead generation strategy,
you’ll also have a direct line to the WRCLA field reps
who can offer technical and logistical expertise with
our architect advisory services.
75XV

1. CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUS)
As part of the WRCLA’s ongoing continuing education
program, every year we produce new CEUs via
Architectural Record and/or Architect magazine.
These AIA-accredited courses are free for design andconstruction professionals looking to enhance theirexpertise and earn learning units.
Covering a wide range of timely architectural topics,
our extensive library is there to help you broaden
your knowledge of wood design and meet yourlicensing requirements. Simply select the CEU of yourchoice, read the designated article and answer test
questions at the end to receive certification.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS (EPDS)
Whether it’s a community project with multiple
stakeholders, a commercial development or single
family dwelling, chances are your next architecturalbrief is going to include rigorous environmental
requirements. This presents an exciting challenge
for builders and designers - a chance to mitigate theimpact of new builds on the planet.
In addition to innovative design, meeting these goals
requires certified sustainable building materials.
Products purporting to be “green” without the science
to back up will not do. Savvy eco-minded clients andlocal regulators for environmental compliance often
require independent research to quantify eco claims.

At WRCLA, we take pride in our commitment tosustainable architecture. That’s why we commission
and regularly update our 3rd party Environmental
Product Declarations (EPDs) for our siding, decking
and lumber products.
In accordance with the International Organization forStandardization, every aspect of our products’ impact
on the environment is measured and compared tosimilar products using the Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) method. The results? From production to
construction to end-of-life, Real Cedar is one of, if
not, the greenest building materials you can choose.
And these EPDs provide comprehensive, irrefutable
proof of that statement, so you and your clients canmake the most informed decisions.
3. ARCAT - ARCHITECTURAL INFO AT
YOUR FINGERTIPS
Specifying building products for your next
project just got a little easier. That’s because free,downloadable Real Cedar specs for Western Red
Cedar siding and trim are now available on ARCAT.
The WRCLA proudly provides this customized
online service to streamline your proposal, design
and installation processes. ARCAT’s platform
provides, among other things, visual concepts
with exacting measurements. These digital
documents can then be used to optimize in-housecommunications with your firm as well as simplify
and enhance client interface.
Quoting clients, calculating coverage and ordering
Real Cedar products for all your projects is more
efficient with ARCAT - be it detailed interior work on

a renovation job or mass cladding on a new multifamily housing development.
4. TRAINING & SEMINARS
Enhance your expertise and earn licensing credentials
with a Real Cedar seminar. Our Real Cedar specialists
offer these AIA-accredited training sessions online
and in-person. It’s an opportunity for you andyour team to earn Learning Unit Credits while
increasing your knowledge of wood products ingeneral and particularly with Western Red Cedar.
Seminars can be customized according to yourlevel of knowledge and learning objectives. Our
experts offer a wide scope of subjects including
the latest in green building innovation and creating
biophilic spaces using Real Cedar.
They also offer very practical overviews for achieving
a variety of desired looks with cedar - key areas here
include choosing patterns and profiles to create
specific types of texture and shadowing as well
as best practices for siding installation, finishingand maintenance.
In turn, you’ll be in a better position to provide yourclients with the best advice on incorporating thisunique and remarkable species in their project.
VISIT OUR RESOURCE PAGE TO LEARN MOREABOUT OUR TOOLS:
WWW.REALCEDAR.COM/ARCHITECT-TOOLS/

™

XV76

CREDITSCEDAR BOOK XV 2023

P R O D U C E D WITH TH E G E N E R OUS S UPPO RT OF™

D E S I G N E D A N D P R ODUCE D BY

bare.ca
EDITOR

DE S IG N

C O PY EDIT O R

T EC HNIC AL EDIT O R

SARAH
ROWLAND

ANDY
MAIER

BETH
HIRD

PAUL
MACKIE

Need help selecting, specifying or sourcing the right Western Red Cedar products?
Contact the Western Real Cedar Lumber Association and we will be glad to assist.
R E A L C E DAR .COM

© 2022 Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. All rights reserved. The Cedar Book Volume XV, 1st Edition.
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C E L E B R AT I N G W E ST E R N RE D C E DA R
A RCHI T E C T U R A L DE S IG N