Ravine House is our Cedar Book project of the week. See how this reimagined home fosters a connection to its lush surroundings.

photos: Scott Norsworthy

In a secluded suburban pocket west of Toronto, nestled between church grounds and an ancient creek, a once-dark midcentury bungalow has been transformed into a luminous, next-century house that opens wide to the lush landscape.

Designed by architect Tony Diodati, the Ravine House beautifully reimagines the original home. And done so with minimal footprint and quiet presence. “We needed to thoroughly respect the natural environment by limiting our building activity,” says Diodati, “yet create spaces that fully engage with it.”

The solution was a thoughtful renovation that reuses much of the original structure while enhancing its orientation to light, air, and landscape.

Finishing details that create contrast

Inside and out, Western Red Cedar plays a central role in that transformation. Used on the home’s exterior soffits and most interior ceilings, it creates a material continuity that strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. “We chose cedar because it’s visually warm, it’s familiar to most, and it’s easy to install,” explains Diodati.

For the siding, he used a combination of dark stained and natural cedar to create contrast and visual rhythm. That duality became a defining feature of the design.

This interplay of tone illustrates cedar’s versatility. Naturally pitch and resin-free, Western Red Cedar accepts and holds a wide range of finishes beautifully – whether left to weather and silver over time, or darkened to deepen shadow lines and emphasize form.

Designing with occupant well-bing in mind

Additionally, Real Cedar played a key role in meeting the project’s sustainability goals. As a renewable resource harvested from some of the most sustainably managed forests in the world, Western Red Cedar supports long-term forest health. And because wood naturally stores carbon, building with cedar actively contributes to climate mitigation.

Finally, cedar helped realize the home’s biophilic ambitions. With its warm tones, tactile grain, and calming aroma, the material offers a multi-sensory experience. The wood grounds and soothes—responding to our innate need to feel rooted in the natural world. In this home, cedar ceilings soften interior volumes and echo the rhythms of the forest canopy outside. This reinforcement of the architecture’s deep sense of place is key to realizing the project’s vision.

“At its core,” Diodati says, “the design enhances the wellbeing of the homeowners by fostering connection—to the seasons, to the land, and to oneself.”

Real Cedar Specifications 

GRADE – Siding and interior paneling: KD Select Knotty, Soffits and ceilings: KD ‘A’ & Better

SIZE – Siding and interior paneling: 1×6 T&G Smooth V-JT face/Resawn V-JT back reversible, Soffits and ceilings: 1×6 T&A Smooth Front Flush JT

Looking for more wood design inspiration?  Download the digital edition or order a free hard copy of Cedar Book XVIII to explore the latest in contemporary wood design.