Multi-Use Poolhouse Addition Enhances Family Life

“We chose Western Red Cedar because it’s beautiful and durable!” – Tuan Vu, Assoc. AIA

Location:  Portland, Oregon

Architect:  Propel Studio Architecture

Photography:  Carlos Rafael Photography

Enhancing Family Life through Wood Design

The main objective for this Poolhouse Addition was to create a multi-use, family space on the second floor, where growing boys could play and horse around while being separated from the quieter area of the main house. The adults also wanted to utilize the space for home fitness as well as a media room.

The goal for the ground-floor, meanwhile, was to incorporate a covered outdoor kitchen – emphasis on “covered” (a must in the rainy PNW climate). The clients also wanted the 2-story structure to be an architectural standout and a seamless extension of their house. Here’s how Propel Studio achieved that:

“The Poolhouse Addition utilizes clean modern cedar siding on the outside and inside to both differentiate and complement the rustic-traditional wavy edge cedar siding featured on the existing home,” explains lead architect Nick Mira. “The continuation of the cedar soffit from outside to inside helps blur the line of interior exterior within the home to accentuate the feeling of being connected to nature.”

This multi-use Poolhouse Addition features beautiful Western Red Cedar throughout.

Designing Multi-Use PoolHouse Addition for Family

Propel also created interesting juxtapositions by using different grades and finishes. The dark-stained siding is a beautiful knotty grade of cedar and contrasts beautifully against the crisp clear, naturally stained cedar.

This interplay of light and texture is just one of many contemporary looks that architects can achieve with a material as versatile as Real Cedar. That’s because cedar comes in a variety of sizes, grades and profiles. Cedar is also pitch and resin free, which means it accepts and holds a wide range of finishes beautifully.

For this project, the overall effect is a warm glowing floating box that honors its surroundings. And a big part of that was the choice in material.

“The beauty of cedar contributed throughout the final result to  show a high quality and natural look,  connecting with the wooded PNW setting,” says Mira.

This two-story addition enhances family life for both kids and parents.

WRC Specifications

Grade: Select Knotty – resawn face siding, ‘A’ Clear – smooth face paneling

Pattern: T&G – V-joint

Size: 1 X 4

Fasteners: Stainless steel

Finish: Semi-transparent, charcoal stain – siding, Transparent stain – paneling

Supplier: Lakeside Lumber