One of our favorite projects to source Pioneer Millworks reclaimed materials for – inside and outside – is the celebrated Black Butte Ranch resort in Sisters, Oregon. Constructed in the early 1970’s, the Black Butte Ranch has a sophisticated aesthetic and a grandstand view of the Three Sisters mountains in Oregon’s Central Cascade Range.

The ranch is a bucolic waypoint on the way to Oregon’s high desert plateau and emanates a rustic-chic vibe that reimagines its storied past, while embracing an updated aesthetic. The 1,800-acre property provides an array of patrician activities for visitors including two championship golf courses, horseback riding, and fly-fishing.

The centerpiece of the expansive property is the lodge. Staying true to the structure’s original intent, Hacker Architects new lodge design embraces an organic assimilation into its surroundings. The 27,000 square foot building doubled the original size of the lodge and includes a restaurant, two lounges, dining room, event spaces and a meeting room.

On the exterior of the lodge is our Traditionally Inspired American Made™ Shou Sugi Ban Larch Deep Char cladding. Serving multiple design choices and practical purposes, our Shou Sugi Ban offers unprecedented longevity that will be enjoyed for decades to come. Providing a durable, rot-resistant option with a ton of character, Shou Sugi Ban is capable of withstanding unforgiving weather conditions, with or without maintenance. 

While often left to weather naturally, for the ranch ‘s purposes our Shou Sugi Ban was finished with an ebony tinted poly sealer to protect and prolong its distinctive look. The rich, tactile feel of the siding reflects both the surrounding landscape and the history of the area but also provides a refined and extant look.

The interior of the lodge is the welcome recipient of our eco-forward reclaimed and sustainably harvested interior cladding. Honoring the original structures’ exposed beams and rustic finishes, and inspired by its towering stone fireplace, both our custom Larch and Douglas Fir paneling were installed, providing native warmth and a collaborative array of backcountry hues.

Beautifully rendered slats of brightly detailed Larch and inviting straight grained Douglas Fir take the lodge from nostalgic to current and then back again. Rich tints and delicate tones work together in differing orientations up the walls and across the ceilings culminating in a perfect symmetrical design.

By installing responsible materials that both reflect their surroundings and recall a storied history, a design intent can keep one foot in the past and one in the future through the beauties of wood. This deft collaboration of new and old provides a beautiful window into before times through a contemporary lens.