The Desert Rain home, a Living Building Challenge project that is under construction in Bend, is forging new frontiers in sustainable design.  In addition to being net-zero energy, the home will collect and process all of its water needs.  An ADU is being constructed on the property, next to the main house, which is also being built to meet the criteria of the Living Building Challenge.

Sustainable Northwest Wood is proud to be the provider of the FSC lumber for this project, in partnership with Parr Lumber Company.  A site visit today showed the FSC certified Doug fir framing in full glory, as well as the sill plate, for which FSC Western Red Cedar was chosen.

Cedar isn't typically used for sill plate; contractors most often work with pressure-treated fir.  In this project, though, cedar was chosen because it is naturally durable without the need for any added synthetic chemicals -- it will bear the weight of this home while naturally preventing the decay of its most sensitive structural components. 

This FSC 100% Western Red Cedar was sourced from Zigzag, OR, where it was super-selectively harvested as part of a restorative forestry management program at the Homestead Girl Scout Camp. 

The Desert Rain home was designed by Tozer Design and is being built by Timberline Construction.  

Photos: Top, FSC 100% Cedar sill plate; bottom, the ADU's interior gets framed.

Each species of wood is different and requires a sensitive and thoughtful woodworker to learn how to master its unique personality.  Juniper is no exception.  Its properties are different from fir, cedar, oak, etc., and if one approaches it like one would approach those species, and expects the same results, disappointment will follow.

Instead, it pays to learn the subtle differences and how to work with them to achieve perfect results.  Our friends at Neil Kelly Cabinets have worked with juniper for many years and have learned how to master it and take full advantage of its unique traits.  They work with it, not against it, and the success of their efforts is clear, as shown by this exceptionally beautiful dining table.

This table for twelve is made from solid juniper and shows how beautiful this species is when expressed as fine furniture.  This heirloom-quality piece was built with formaldehyde-free adhesives and was finished with Neil Kelly's Nutmeg stain to accentuate the color and grain pattern.  The true proof of the craftsman's love for juniper: Some of the knots on the top of the table were added and enhanced.


 

We love to see our local hardwoods turned into beautiful, functional fine furniture, and few do it better than our friend Jonathan Nussbaum.

Jonathan works with many species of wood to create classic fine furniture that highlights the beauty and individual characteristics of each piece of wood.  A dedicated participant in the Build Local Alliance, Jonathan is fully committed to using local, responsibly harvested wood and helping to influence others to make the same good choice.

Be sure to check out Jonathan's website at www.nussbaumfurniture.com.

From top: Jonathan at work on a set of Oregon White Oak dining stools in his Portland studio; a Big Leaf Maple kitchen that traveled a total of 60 miles from forest to installation; a walnut and spalted maple media console.