West Coast Contemporary Design

The Boomerang House is a Celebration of Modern Wood Architecture

“We chose cedar for its natural variation and warm, welcoming appearance.” – John DeForest, AIA

ARCHITECT DeForest Architects, pllc

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Evergreen Design Company

GENERAL CONTRACTOR Walter F. Toth Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY John Granen

The Boomerang House is shaped by both site and program. The program consists of a family room anchoring one end, while a multi-purpose studio defines the other. Movement between these two “magnetic poles” encourages interaction, while the bend in the plan orients key spaces toward Mt. Rainier and creates a sense of place and shelter on the water side.

Creating Cohesion with Cedar

Material choices reinforce this architectural intent. Western Red Cedar, used for both the exterior siding and interior ceilings, establishes continuity throughout the home, seamlessly integrating structure and landscape.

“Whether modern or traditional in style, our work reflects a deep appreciation for scale, texture, and practicality,” says architect John DeForest. “In this case, that meant complementing durable concrete floors and steel beams with the warmth and variation of natural cedar.”

Connecting Site to Structure

Cedar’s organic range of tones and textures allows the home to settle into its wooded environment, while its use on the ceilings enhances spatial flow and cohesion. The material extends beyond the interior, shaping overhangs and soffits that define the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Large sliding glass panels open the home to its surroundings, and cedar’s presence across these thresholds reinforces the connection between structure and landscape.

Designed to evolve with its inhabitants, the Boomerang House is a hallmark of DeForest’s innovative approach to creating dynamic, responsive spaces. The residence also demonstrates how a single, thoughtfully applied material can unify complex spatial relationships while supporting both durability and warmth. Here, cedar is not an accent—it is fundamental to the home’s sense of place, reinforcing both its architectural clarity and its connection to the environment.

Material Selection – Real Cedar Specs

• GRADE KD: ‘A’ clear
• SIZE: 1×6 fineline T&G
• FASTENING: Stainless steel
• FINISH: Semitransparent stain
• WESTERN RED CEDAR SUPPLIER: LS Cedar Co. Inc