“Western Red Cedar was used as a siding material and left unfinished so as to weather with age, allowing the home to blend into it’s woodland environment.” – Cutler Anderson Architects.

Location: Newberg, Oregon
Architect: Design Architect – James Cutler, FAIA; Project Architect – Meghan Griswold
Photography: Jeremy Bittermann

Bridging over a large pond and nestled in a deep forest, the Newberg Residence sets a new architectural standard in integrating house and habitat. That’s because from the beginning, architects James Cutler and Meghan Griswold approached the project as if house and pond were a single entity, in which the owners can enjoy the wild creatures that come to the water on both regular and varied schedules. With large vertical-lift windows, the homeowners can dive right into the water from their living room or they can just sit back and watch the show.

“This one bedroom residence allows the owners to have a strong emotional connection to the living world,” explains James Cutler, FAIA.

In addition to honoring the forest atmosphere, the owners wanted a structure that could stand up to the elements. As the best choice for siding, decking and dock, the designers and owners opted for Western Red Cedar – a building material that is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects.

“Our basic design philosophy is to reveal what is true about all of the circumstances of a project,” says Cutler, who also used some WRC on the interior walls. “The use of Western Red Cedar for an exterior finish was a natural choice for it’s beauty, durability in a damp climate, and ability to weather.”

Large roof overhangs were designed to shelter the glass and vertical wooden surfaces of the building. For exterior finishing options, they agreed the best was to let the cedar weather naturally, eventually turning a beautiful silvery patina.

“The homeowners wanted a home which hugged the landscape, was minimally invasive and emotionally rich,” says Cutler. “This connection to the living world is what brought WRC to mind as an exterior and interior material choice.”

WRC Specifications
Grade: Exterior – KD Select Knotty siding & KD ‘A’ Clear decking; Interior – Select Knotty

Size: Exterior – rough sawn, board & batten siding & 2” x 4” decking; Interior – 1” x 10” rough sawn shiplap

Applied Finish: Exterior – none; Interior – Two coats of calalyzed lacquer, satin finish