Shou Sugi Ban - The Japanese Art of Charred Cedar.

Maine Barn in Shou Sugi Ban Style

It’s the story of two sportsmen, Didier Bonner-Ganter and Nathalie Nopakun, who became attached to each other while cycling and who settled together near the coast of Maine. They built…

February 12, 2024

Architecture, Design, News, Showcase, Travel

Chotto Matte Plays with Tokyo-Meets-Miami Design Award

A retractable roof, 33,000-pound volcanic boulder, and bright murals are some of the memorable touches Pedestrians may misconstrue the long, white structure in the narrow alleyway just off Lenox Avenue as…

July 14, 2020

Architecture, Design, News, Showcase

Architectural Digest: Top Design Trends of 2020

Experts across the design industry predict what major trends we’ll be seeing in the year ahead As we prepare to enter not only a new year but a fresh decade,…

January 13, 2020

Architecture, Design, News, Techniques

That Wood is on Fire

Shou-sugi-ban, a Japanese wood-charring technique, is emerging as one of builders’ and woodworkers’ favorite trends this year. From Dwell Magazine, That Wood is on Fire: 5 Examples of Shou-Sugi-Ban.

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Shou Sugi Ban 焼杉板 (or Yakisugi) is an ancient Japanese exterior siding technique that preserves wood by charring it with fire. Traditionally, sugi 杉 (Cryptomeria japonica L.f.), also called Japanese red-cedar, was used. The process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil.

Today Shou Sugi Ban is an environmentally friendly way to preserve timber through charring which, paradoxically, makes it fire-resistant. Chemical preservatives, paints and retardants are therefore unnecessary. In addition to exterior uses, the popular technique is now found in interior rooms, furniture, and artwork.
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