Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026

Biobased architecture

An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about biobased architecture

Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanCommunity Centres

Circulair Building Luxemburg

Architecture is generally designed for one specific site. The Multipurpose Hall in Dudelange challenges that convention. Conceived by FAT Architects for the City of Dudelange, the building was designed from the outset to occupy two different locations during its lifetime. Lukas Roth The hall currently stands along the Route de Bettembourg, replacing an earlier structure. After approximately eight to ten years, it will be carefully dismantled and reconstructed within the future Nei Schmelz eco-district, on the grounds of a former rolling mill. Rather than treating relocation as a constraint, the architects made it the central principle of the design. The 740 m² project was awarded the Luxembourg Architecture Award 2026 in the cate... More

Project • By NarrativA architectenWatch Towers

Natuurobservatorium de Eemlandhoeve

In the Netherland's Eem Valley, NarrativA architecten has designed a carbon-negative observatory for an ecological farmstead that combines biophilic design with passive principles and bio-based materials. The Natuurobservatorium de Eemlandhoeve, replete with a green sedum roof that makes it merge with the landscape, is reminiscent of a mushroom with gills—the challenge, the architect's explain, was to structure the building's organic form onto a simple grid so that it could be built relatively easily and inexpensively with the community. NarrativA architecten NarrativA architecten ❌︎ Remove Applied Products block will be inserted here     Design The organic shape of the observatory evokes that of a mu... More

Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanPrivate Houses

Black Gemstone

Set in the wooded surroundings of Hollandsche Rading in the Dutch province of Utrecht, Black Gemstone was designed by MONK Architecten BNA as a dark, folded volume among the trees. The facades and roof planes flow visually into one another, giving the house the character of a black gemstone. Behind this form is a sustainability strategy centered on extensive timber construction, reduced energy demand, renewable energy generation, and durable materials that can be maintained selectively. Peter Cuypers Sustainability is integrated into the design rather than treated as a separate technical addition. The structure, building envelope, interior, and building services were approached as a single system, with each layer contributing to redu... More
Naoshima charred façade
Naoshima charred façade
Naoshima charred façade
Naoshima charred façade
Naoshima charred façade

Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanPrivate Houses

Biobased home by ORGA architects

Nestled in the Stameren forest near Maarn, this residence stands out for its natural and effortless connection to the surrounding landscape. Positioned at the transition between forest and heathland, each side of the house establishes a unique relationship with nature. The forest side feels intimate and sheltered, while the heathland side offers expansive views, abundant daylight, and a strong sense of openness. The design of ORGA architects makes use of natural, biobased materials, including the charred Douglas fir façade cladding “Naoshima”. Large glazed surfaces and carefully framed sightlines ensure a continuous connection with the outdoors, allowing the boundary between interior and landscape to gently fade. Capt... More

Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanFire stations

Fire station Wegberg

The new fire station for Wegberg has a wooden construction and Marugame cladding thanks to the design of Scheidt Kasprusch Architekten! The reasons for a wooden construction are because of its beauty, sustainability and energy efficiency. Constantin Meyer Fotografie Designed as a passive house, the fire station focuses on the sustainable use of materials and resources. A high ecological standard is ensured by reusable and recyclable building materials and energy-optimised equipment. Constantin Meyer Fotografie Finally, economic quality is largely ensured by low-maintenance components and materials, including the Marugame cladding. Constantin Meyer Fotografie More

Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanPrivate Houses

Modern biophilic country house

A modern biophilic country house that harmoniously blends nature, is designed to offer its residents a deep sense of well-being and connection with the environment. The house was designed by Steven van Leeuwen of ORGA architect and landscape designer Nico Wissing in such a way that natural materials and organic forms can be seen everywhere, both inside and outside. Wood is one of these natural materials. Sustainable Marugame boards from Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban are used to cover the walls at the back side of the house and used as elegant elements in the design. The refined scale structure and silvery glow match beautifully with the Fraké wood façade parts, terraces, balustrades and the undersides of roofs. Photos commissio... More

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanKyushu

Kyushu

Robust scales, versatile and contemporary Kyushu has a robust pattern with large scales. After the wood has been carefully charred by our fire masters Kyushu is brushed and treated afterwards. This makes the robust scales clearly visible.Kyushu is made from Pinus Radiata, a fast-growing pine species from FSC® certified forests in New Zealand. The wood is thermally modified by heating it up to 230° Celsius. Because of this process, the wood type has a durability class 1 (EN350) certification. Kyushu has a lifespan of at least 30 years. Kyushu is a natural product. This means that individual planks may differ from one another. More

NewsInnovations • 25 Oct 2023

Hempcrete block installation highlights the potential of bio-based materials in construction

In September 2023, Casa da Arquitectura – Centro Português de Arquitectura (Portuguese Centre for Architecture) in Porto hosted the second edition of “Build - From High to Low Tech”. This international conference aims to challenge prevailing perspectives and thinking around the use of materials and technology in architecture. Its remit is based on the World Green Building Council’s assertion that “buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions.” Park Associati During the Build conference, Milan-based architecture, interior design, and urban planning studio Park Associati organized a two-day “Hempcrete Workshop” in collaboration with Natura... More

Project • By Space&MatterOffices

Circular City House

Circular City House, originally called Spectrum, is our winning contribution to a development competition organised by the City of Amsterdam. This multifunctional building composed entirely of wood is wrapped around the iconic cafe De Omval, thereby honouring the area’s rich history while also giving it a new future. What makes this project extra special is the fact that the real estate development and construction management will be done by companies directly linked to Space&Matter. We break ground in 2023 and can’t wait to get started.   “Circular City House is a place where all can come to work, create, think, move and enjoy. It is a place with a special past and a promising future.”— Marthijn P... More

NewsNews • 4 Jul 2022

The Natural Pavilion by DP6 architectuurstudio responds to key land-use challenges in the Netherlands

Designed for the Floriade 2022 Expo, The Natural Pavilion by DP6 architectuurstudio is a nearly 100% biobased, circular concept that can ultimately be disassembled and built in a different configuration on a secondary site. The design is a response to challenges facing land-use in the Netherlands including a housing shortage, need for a more sustainable agricultural sector, fostering of biodiversity, and climate adaptation.  Scagliola Brakkee An example of scaling up biobased solutions, the construction concept is simple and based around two core ideas. Firstly, the use of locally-sourced wooden beams afford a clear construction framework connected by universal steel joints and secondly, a versatile application of components into... More

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanYoroi

Yoroi

Yoroi | Fire-safe charred bamboo for uncompromising façade architecture B-s1,d0 fire performance. No chemical fire retardants. A bio-based material with a powerful architectural identity.   As architecture moves towards a lower-carbon future, façade materials are expected to do more. They must meet demanding fire-safety requirements, reduce embodied carbon, perform reliably for decades and contribute to the architectural identity of a building. Yoroi brings these demands together in one distinctive façade material. Developed by Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban, Yoroi is a deeply charred façade cladding made from FSC®-certified MOSO® Bamboo X-treme®. Its intense black, tactile surface gives buil... More

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanShodoshima

Shodoshima

For Shodoshima, the wood is cut parallel to the annual rings (Dosse). This gives Shodoshima a beautiful flame pattern. The planks are charred in our own oven. The wood is then brushed and treated again. The robust and lively grain structure is clearly visible and gleams beautifully in the sun. Shodoshima is resistant to all weather conditions and does not stain. After charring and brushing, Shodoshima is treated with our Bito Black. Bito Black provides good protection against water, dirt, mould and other deposits. We recommend repeating this treatment every 3 to 5 years. Shodoshima is made of Douglas fir from sustainably managed European forests. The durability of Douglas wood is Class 3 and is therefore very suitable for use as wall clad... More

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanSakaide

Sakaide

Sakaide is made of Douglas fir from sustainably managed European forests. Characteristic of Douglas wood is the scent and the presence of knots. These knots may be visible in the flame pattern. The contrast between the dark and light parts of the wood gives Sakaide a beautiful, rustic look. The planks are cut flat (with the growth rings) and charred in our oven. They are then carefully brushed, thereby creating a characteristic relief of the flame pattern. Sakaide exudes a timeless, but warm atmosphere as a façade, but also on walls, tables and other interior applications. After charring and brushing, Sakaide is treated with our Bito Clear or Bito Orange.Bito Clear is a transparent oil for interior applications. The oil hardens und... More

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanTakamatsu

Takamatsu

Takamatsu wood is cut at right angles to the growth rings (quarters/false quarters). This cutting method gives Takamatsu a special but fine, linear structure and a classic, calm feel. The planks are charred in our own oven after which the wood is brushed and treated again. Takamatsu is resistant to all weather conditions and does not stain. After charring and brushing, Takamatsu is treated with our Bito Black. Bito Black provides good protection against water, dirt, mould and other deposits. We recommend repeating this treatment every 3 to 5 years. Takamatsu is made of Douglas fir from sustainably managed European forests. The durability of Douglas wood is Class 3 and is therefore very suitable for use as wall cladding. Characteristic of... More

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanNakatado

Nakatado

Nakatado is charred by our fire masters and then brushed and treated with Bito Black. This brings out the lively grain structure which has a height difference of about 1-2 mm between the higher and lower parts. Nakatado is resistant to all weather conditions and does not stain. The flat flame pattern adds a touch of serenity and gives the room a contemporary feel. The versatility of the wood makes Nakatado a great alternative for applications that require a highly durable wood type. After charring and brushing, Nakatado is treated with our Bito Black which provides good protection against water, dirt, mould and other deposits. We recommend repeating this treatment every 3 to 5 years. We can also provide a silk gloss and/or scratchproof coa... More