Design
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Japanese Surrealist Architect Revels In Fairytale Visions
A one-legged Shou sugi ban teahouse suspended amid cherry trees in the Japanese mountains showcases the vivid imagination and designs of architect Terunobu Fujimori. Conceiving his first creation at the age of 42, Fujimori is considered one of the world’s first surrealists in his field. Working solely with natural materials such as earth, wood and stone, the modern eccentric has dedicated his career to pioneering contemporary design with buildings “that float in the air” and roofs covered with living leek plants. Curating the Japanese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2006, Fujimori invited audiences to remove their shoes and enter the exhibition through a hole in a wooden wall to…
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Buildings Made Of Previously Charred Lumber Reduce House Fire Risk
From PSFK, an article espousing the benefits of using Shou Sugi Ban in contemporary homes – including reduced fire risk. The manufacturing process is detailed, accurate and dangerous, creating anything from a highly burnt fragile look to a sleek and contemporary finish.
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Weekend DIY Project: Shou Sugi Ban Dining Table
From the Felted Fox, this weekend try creating a Shou sugi Ban table with only a few simple materials needed. Though a few expletives were uttered during the making of this table (which come standard with my husband’s DIY projects), it was easy to make. Once charred, the wood appears a silvery grey or shiny black depending on how the light hits it. We love how this table turned out.
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Flame Throwing Sugi Style
From Orchard House in Ohio, here’s how you char wood in today’s world: get yourself a flame thrower. In actuality, it is a lot of fun with fire. It’s like one hot coat of paint that will last the life of the house. The paintbrush, in this case, is a torch. Lent to us by expert roofer Chris Moore, it is just a flame thrower that hooks up to a propane tank that allowed us to get the job done fast.
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Facade Focus: Charred Cedar
Siding is a pretty dull subject—unless you’re talking about charred cedar cladding, which makes our hearts go pitter-patter. It’s beautiful to look at and practical, too—the ancient Japanese technique seals the wood against rain and rot, and makes it fire resistant. Here, a look at some houses that feature this ancient—and yet so modern—material. From Dwell on modern Shou Sugi Ban applications.
