We celebrated the ground breaking for the Wildrose Apartments in the Methow Valley on October 23rd, 2025. CAST is working with the Housing Authority of Okanogan County on the much-needed Wildrose Apartments in Winthrop, Washington. This complex will provide 22 new affordable housing units. Homes will be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, accommodating families, seniors, and young adults.

The apartments are distributed into three 2-story structures surrounding two sides of a large commons that serves both communities. Both upper and lower units provide outdoor space facing the park, energizing the open space with many sources of activity around its perimeter. The footprint and envelope of each building is kept simple to reduce cost; secondary porches and balconies add visual interest while providing solar shading and weather protection.

During our initial pre-design / Master Planning phase, we sought ways to consolidate the site plan by stacking units and minimizing auto circulation. This allowed us to create a communal open space almost three times larger than what was originally considered in the Feasibility phase.

TEAM
Owner: Housing Authority of Okanogan County www.okanoganhousing.org
Developer: Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing www.orfh.org
Architect: CAST
Contractor: Cascade Central Construction
Civil + Structural Engineer: Facet
Landscape Architecture: Lyon Landscape Architects
Electrical Engineer: TFWB Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: Berona Engineers, Inc
Envelope: Testcomm LLC
Survey: Tackman Surveying
Geotechnical: Nelson Geotechnical Associates. Inc.

With generous support from:
Methow Housing Trust
Community Foundation of North Central Washington
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Washington State Department of Commerce
Washington State Housing Finance Commission

Photos: Mitchell Image

Under construction… With the Methow River Retreat, we conscientiously limited its footprint to minimize disruption of the riverfront site. This careful approach allows the home to reflect craft and integrate passive design solutions while sitting lightly on the land.

With a keen focus on preserving views in all directions and ensuring privacy, window placement is carefully planned for maximum impact. Low leakage, high R-value European tilt-turn style windows have wood interiors and aluminum exteriors, providing efficiency, durability, and beauty.

A ground-source heat pump that leverages the earth's consistent temperature was selected for enhanced efficient heating and cooling.  Spray foam is used sparingly and is purposeful, prioritizing condensation control at the roof while minimizing environmental impact. To maximize solar panel efficiency, the south-facing roof orientation is complemented by a battery system for an uninterrupted power supply during power outages.

Energy-efficient appliances were selected. From a combination heat pump washer/dryer to an induction range, each choice reflects efficiency and sustainability.

TEAM
Architect: CAST
Builder: Bjornsen Construction
Structural Engineer: Harriott Valentine Engineers
Biologist: George Wooten

See more: www.castarchitecture.com/methow-river-retreat

This off-grid cabin, nestled in the hills on a 5+ acre site bordering U.S. Forest Service land, is 30 minutes from Logan, Utah. The home makes the most of its setting, offering expansive views in every direction. A southwest-facing bank of windows frames the surrounding landscape views, bringing in abundant natural light. The cabin is designed to operate entirely off the grid, with a solar array and backup generator.

The structure’s orientation, placement of glazing, and the depth of roof overhangs are designed to optimize solar gain in winter, while providing shade during the hot summer sun—an efficient and responsive strategy. A solar array with a backup generator powers the home.

Firewise design strategies:
- rock and concrete perimeter
- weathering steel siding
- metal roof (also designed to retain snow )

Built to meet the challenges of its rural location, this cabin demonstrates how modern off-grid living can be resilient and deeply connected to place.

See more: www.castarchitecture.com/logan-canyon-offgrid-cabin

Collaborating with Berger Partnership, we built on a vision to redevelop this underutilized park to take advantage of its spectacular location and transform it into a regional asset.

The intent was to revamp a few dilapidated baseball fields with additional features to encourage use by a wider audience. The big move is an overlook deck that stretches towards the Chelan dam, gorge, and surrounding mountains and offers elevated views back towards the baseball diamonds.

An overlook was designed to provide a view of the dam and the surrounding mountains that had been unavailable to the public. We combined functions whenever possible, with the deck also serving as a roof to the gathering space below, stacked basalt seating relating to the surrounding geology, and finally, a sloping lawn that adds minor league stadium-style seating looking over the baseball fields. The roofs of the dugouts and central concession station also perform double duty as extended shade platforms to provide weather protection to visitors.

Enterprise, by Ahmad Abu-Khalaf

CAST contributed to this issue, highlighting recent updates on regulatory reforms and financing innovations aimed at the development of low-density multifamily housing.

View a PDF of the Issue Brief Here

What is low-density multifamily housing? There is no single, definition of lowdensity multifamily (LDMF) housing, which is also called gentle density housing or missing middle housing. LDMF housing varies across state and local housing markets depending on the market’s residential development patterns.

The effective definition of LDMF housing may also be influenced by what is allowable under current land use and zoning requirements. The effective definition of LDMF housing may also be influenced by what is allowable under current land use and zoning requirements.

On the financing side, several private entities have launched lending products tailored to LDMF housing. These loans are designed to provide debt capital for multifamily developments with small- to medium-sized loan balances.

Despite this progress, more work needs to be done to significantly boost LDMF housing nationwide. A much larger number of jurisdictions must adopt regulatory reforms that would lead to a broader regulatory landscape supportive of LDMF housing, enabling the housing industry to build it at scale.

Unlocking underutilized land zoned for single-family development to allow for LDMF housing has the potential to help jurisdictions ease their housing markets’ supply and affordability issues. However, boosting LDMF housing nationwide requires addressing the regulatory and financial barriers to creating this type of development at scale.

University Cooperative School is the first school to be approved as Retrofitted on the City of Seattle’s URM list.

The City of Seattle has recognized University Cooperative School for successfully achieving "Retrofitted Unreinforced Masonry (URM)" status. Over eight years, CAST, Swenson Say Faget structural engineers, and the project team completed the required work and documentation, ensuring the school meets the necessary standards, and updated its status on the City's list of structures previously requiring evaluation and potential retrofitting under the upcoming URM Ordinance.

TEAM
Client: University Cooperative School
Architect: CAST
Owners Rep: Westlake Consulting Group
Contractor: Sellen
Structural: Swenson Say Faget ssfengineers.com
Electrical: TFWB
Estimating: Rider Levett Bucknall www.rlb.com/americas
Special Inspection: Terracon

Check out their blog: https://www.thinkwood.com/blog/the-epitome-of-cozy-7-wood-forward-cabins-elevating-the-traditional-rustic-getaway

Nestled into the mountains of the Methow Valley, the Edelweiss House’s distinctive horseshoe design creates an indoor/outdoor space that the owners can enjoy during every season. With a central courtyard surrounded by Douglas fir-clad kitchen, living, dining, and sleeping areas, CAST Architecture designed the home to be a social hub that brings people together. The wood-paneled ceiling extends through the veranda’s overhang, enhancing the natural flow of the design. The primary suite features a built-in fir headboard and diffuse glass that floods the space with natural light. The utility wing on the opposite side of the home includes a welcoming guest area, an office, and a game room thoughtfully crafted for flexibility.

As an AIA 2030 signatory firm, CAST has committed to its goal of carbon-neutral buildings by 2030. This Commitment is an actionable climate strategy that offers a set of standards and goals for reaching net zero emissions in the built environment.

Our design approach and process are thoughtful. We push the limits of sustainability through project performance by setting clear goals and making a positive impact on the environment. Our expertise helps our clients align with their green building goals and understand building life-cycle costs, lower utility bills, enjoy the benefits from natural light, and manage water usage.

The latest climate data tells us that reducing carbon emissions is not enough. To make the biggest impact, we must commit to net zero emissions by 2030—a path that requires strong, immediate action. Since the built environment creates a staggering 40% of the world's emissions, architects, engineers, and owners play a key role. We know that every project can be a catalyst for change.

Our Sustainability Action Plan includes principles and commitments that look for smart, innovative ways to deliver our projects and support climate goals.
Principles
Think Holistically
Act with Urgency
Every Project Counts
Make the Next Project Better

Commitments
Measure Performance
Support Research
Commit to AIA 2030 Challenge
Iterate on Success
Work with Partners
Advocate for Change
Celebrate Wins

See our Sustainability Action Plan here: www.castarchitecture.com/sustainability-action-plan

CAST is dedicated to tracking and reporting our progress toward the AIA 2030 Commitment. We will utilize energy modeling, life cycle assessments, and post-occupancy evaluations to measure operational energy use and embodied carbon across our projects. Our team will document and submit project performance data to the AIA Design Data Exchange (DDx), responding with transparency and accountability. By setting measurable benchmarks and analyzing trends, we will refine our strategies, improve outcomes, and contribute to industry-wide efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. Through this commitment, we will continuously push the boundaries of sustainable design while sharing insights that drive collective progress.

We have had deep roots in sustainable design since our founding in 1999. We are committed to improving the lives of individuals, families, and the community through vibrant and thoughtful design. CAST is at the forefront of sustainable architecture, creating high-performance buildings designed to endure. Our approach prioritizes responsible resource management throughout a building’s lifecycle, integrating climate-responsive design, the best available building science, and site-specific strategies.

CAST’s co-founder Matt Hutchins, AIA, CPHD, and Seattle Planning Commissioner talks about the major update to the Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan.
one seattle for all - 2025/02/08 10:37 PST – Recording

Seattle is growing (and that’s good)!

How do we make room for new housing and be the kind of city we want to live in?

Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan major update – a 20-year growth strategy.

-        Must include affordable housing and middle housing

-        Housing planning aligns with planning for transportation, utilities, climate and the environment, capital
facilities and parks/open space

Two kinds of affordable housing:
1. Subsidized and deeply affordable
2. Less expensive housing by size, type, and age (ie. ADUs, small apartments

-        Neighborhood centers can hold both types of affordable housing

-        Middle housing is less expensive and a great option

-        Urban Neighborhood housing types: single-family housing with ADU, duplexes, townhomes, stackedflats

We need more affordable housing – where does it go?

-        Neighborhood centers can support both types of affordable housing

Let your city council member know you support affordable housing, and you also support neighborhood centers and middle housing.
oneseattleforall.org

Wildfires have long been a reality for homeowners in the wildland-urban interface, but increasingly we’re seeing fires in more populated areas that aren’t traditionally considered at risk. During summers, smoke from distant fires now blankets urban areas causing smoke damage and indoor air quality issues. Fire seasons are now lasting longer. The National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise program is a great baseline for building in fire country, and CAST architecture regularly goes beyond designing residences resistant to climate change.

The Berm House in Washington’s Methow Valley uses hardscape to create a defensible perimeter, plus the majority of the exterior of the home is treated with flame-resistant shou sugi ban technique.

Defensible Site planning
The first layer of fire protection begins with the site itself. Design landscapes with defensible zones, creating clear, well-maintained spaces between the home and surrounding vegetation. Using fire-resistant plants, non-combustible materials like gravel or stone, and strategic placement of trees is pivotal to slow the spread of fire toward the house. The goal is fuel reduction—limiting the amount of flammable materials and vegetation around the home.

The selected materials and finishes at Bear Creek Base Camp in the Methow Valley include weathering steel panels which are highly durable, minimize maintenance, and are fire-resistant.

Fire-resistant envelope (roof, walls, eaves)
Choosing flame-retardant materials that can withstand high heat and resist ignition is essential. Specify exterior cladding like fiber cement panels, stucco, or brick, and opt for roofing materials such as metal, tile, or composite shingles. A simple, low-maintenance roof can be important. Windows can be designed with double or triple-pane tempered glass, which can withstand substantially higher temperatures than standard glass.

Icicle Creek Retreat (left) in the Wenatchee Forest has a concrete base set above the average snowfall line to protect siding and wood framing from the freeze-thaw zone. There is no exposed wood on the exterior to aid in fire protection.
The exterior of Isabella Ridge Escape (center) is clad in weathering steel panels that are durable, require almost no maintenance, and add a layer of fire protection.
The exterior of Wolf Creek Retreat (right) has a concrete base and pre-rusted weathering steel panels to aid in fire protection.

Minimizing venting
Make it airtight. Vents and openings are often weak points in fire-resistant design. Incorporating ember-resistant vent covers and tightly sealing gaps around eaves, doors, and windows can prevent embers from entering the home. Design a fire-resistant attic and crawlspace access points.

Buffer = Hardscape, not decks
Wind-blown embers generated during wildfires are the single biggest hazard. Use hardscaping around the home to create a defensible perimeter. This can include non-flammable elements like stone or brick pavers, retaining walls, concrete or metal planters, gravel paths, and water features.

Mechanical air filtration
As wildfires generate large amounts of smoke, ash, and fine particulates, incorporating air filtration into the home helps improve indoor air quality during wildfires. Ensure ductwork is properly sealed to prevent unfiltered air from entering the system.

Sprinklering
Integrating exterior fire suppression systems, such as eave misters, roof sprayers, perimeter sprinklers, water storage, redundant power, and remote control systems can add additional layers of protection.

Designing homes with layered fire protection is not just a consideration for rural areas—it is an essential strategy for resilience in an era of increasing wildfire risks. Thoughtful design may not only help protect individual homes but also contribute to the broader effort of creating safer, more resilient communities.