News
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Serpentine Pavilion in Freeform Shou Sugi Ban style
Serpentine Pavilion designs come along in cycles – if we’ve had a few years of circular parkland rotundas, an inevitable contrariness mean it’s the turn of something more freeform. So it is this year. The 23rd annual pavilion is not one object but a ring of five timber-framed volumes gathered around an empty circle where in other years a rotunda might be. It is called ‘Archipelagic Void’ and the architects are Minsuk Cho and his practice Mass Studies – the first Korean studio to be invited to the task. The five varied structures were originally billed to house, in turn, a miniature ‘Library of Unread Books’, an auditorium, an exhibition…
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In England, Couple Builds a Serene Shou Sugi Ban Retreat
With accessibility and sustainability top of mind, architect Oliver Leech designs a garden dwelling that brings a family closer together. Five years ago, geologist Nikki Earthrowl and her husband, Richard, approached architect Oliver Leech with an idea firmly planted in the future. “The brief was to create a house that would enable accessible living,” Leech says. Nikki and Richard live just outside London in the town of Esher, and they wanted to construct a home on their property where her mother could live independently and comfortably for many years to come. The dwelling would be modest in size—just two bedrooms and a compact living space—although the couple had big goals…
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Farmhouse Fixer find Shou Sugi Ban Barn Doors a Delight
On “Farmhouse Fixer,” Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin renovate older homes so they feel fresh and modern. In many cases, that even means adding daring designs and colors. In the episode “Barn Burner,” the design duo drive to Candia, NH, to help Kris and Ben work on their 1820s home. They want to convert the main floor into a primary suite, with a new bathroom, walk-in closet, bar, and bedroom. Knight is also building a unique barn for Kris and Ben, which Ben makes even more unique. “What are you doing?” asks Knight as he comes across Ben taking a blow torch to some wooden planks and searing them black.…
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Hawaiian Getaway Elevated with Shou Sugi Ban Inside and Out
When a Vancouver-based couple was planning their dream home in Hawaii, they sought to build a residence near their favorite surf break in Kauai‘s picturesque Hanalei Bay. Once they found and purchased a perfect parcel of land, they razed the existing home and tapped San Francisco-based architecture firm Walker Warner to create a simple but bespoke home. Completed in 2022 and dubbed Wahi Lani, or ‘heavenly place’ in Hawaiian, the low-slung, flat-roofed abode spans 2,384 square feet with three bedrooms and four bathrooms. The home isn’t located directly on the water (the ocean is just a short walk), nor does it have an ocean view, so Walker Warner turned inward…
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Japanese and Scandinavian Design Elements Combine in Wales
Artist Richard Zinon learned pottery in Japan, and carpentry, painting and sculpture in Italy; he’s also a trained chef who has worked in restaurants in different countries. Is it any wonder then that his little bungalow, nestled deep in Snowdonia National Park in Wales, would be a paean to artfulness and craftsmanship? Zinon and his partner, Nuria Maria, a fellow painter, treated the 1929 structure like a blank canvas, deftly filling it in with design references to their travels while showcasing the beauty of natural materials. At 689 square feet, the two-bedroom home is small, but it feels open and airy thanks to high ceilings and new picture windows that…
