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Black wood cladding

An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about black wood cladding

Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanPrivate Houses

A modernist villa shaped by material contrast

In Riehen, Switzerland, a place known for its radical residential architecture, this modernist villa by Barcelo Baumann Architekten makes a powerful statement through material restraint. Japanese and South American influences come together in a design defined by strong horizontal lines, layered volumes and a carefully composed palette of black, brown and grey. Lukas Galantay For this project, Marugame by Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban was selected to bring depth, texture and intensity to the façade. The deep black charred wood contrasts beautifully with the raw concrete structure, while at the same time reinforcing the architectural clarity of the building. Between the concrete bands, the Marugame boards introduce rhythm, shadow and... 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

Project • By Akb ArchitectsPrivate Houses

Sagamore North Cottage

Located on an island near the water's edge, this all-season family cottage was designed as a private refuge, hidden from view while maintaining a strong connection to the raw beauty of its Muskoka, Ontario surroundings. An existing dock and boathouse—designed by the same architecture firm and widely published — continually draws curious boaters uncomfortably close to shore. This unintended attention has made privacy a key consideration for the design of the cottage. Studio Shai Gil Inspired by the simple, familiar image of floating docks along the Muskoka lakes, the cottage is envisioned as a series of planar elements — turned vertically to form walls and guardrails that slip past one another, and elevated horizontal... 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

Project • By Stanacev GranadosPrivate Houses

Casa Primeriza

Primeriza House is located on a small clearing of an otherwise heavily sloped terrain with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean to the front and a strong backdrop of almost vertical slope densely populated by cypress trees. Marcos Zegers Marcos Zegers Our clients wanted to make the most of outdoor living, and one of their key requirements was to create many opportunities to inhabit the exterior. Another was to create various different environments, nooks and crannies, and moods inside the house. These two, combined with the plot and weather conditions, shaped the volume of the house and its many transitional spaces.  Marcos Zegers Marcos Zegers The house conquers the slope and inserts firmly into the terrain by mea... 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

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanNaoshima

Naoshima

Naoshima is our version of Shou Sugi Ban and the primary product we are proud of at Zwarthout. Naoshima has an irregular but characteristic pattern, which gleams beautifully in the sun. The brittle, black carbon layer ages over the years acquiring a beautiful patina (weathering), which fits the Japanese philosophy of life of Wabi Sabi. The philosophy of Wabi Sabi embraces the serene beauty of transience and imperfection. Noashima is particularly suitable for exterior applications. The carbon stains somewhat, but it does not wash out when it rains. The brittle coal layer requires a specific detailing of the building to reduce the influence of wind and weather. We recommend that this type not be used above a height of 6 metres above ground l... More

Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanOmiyama

Omiyama

Omiyama’s hard carbon layer gives a brilliant bronze glow in the sun. The deep-charred carbon layer has a robust appearance with an irregular structure and can withstand harsh weather conditions. This makes Omiyama very suitable as durable facade cladding. In addition to the carbon-only version, we can also supply Omiyama that has undergone a Bito White treatment. This is a water-based ecological resin and will tone down the outer surface, make it slightly more matt and prevent the carbon from staining. This makes the treated version of the product extremely suitable for interior applications.  Omiyama is made of Fraké wood. A sustainable product of Fraké wood, which has undergone hydrothermal modification (in bri... More

Product • By Delta MillworksAccoya | Shou Sugi Ban | Burned & Brushed

Accoya | Shou Sugi Ban | Burned & Brushed

Burned & Brushed is a technique of burning and brushing the wood to give it a smooth and sleek finish. Accoya® is a sustainably-sourced Radiata Pine with unmatched dimensional stability and durability, which is achieved through modification by a natural acetylation process.  More

NewsNews • 25 Aug 2021

Traditional materials used in modern unconventional ways redefine the heritage of the Finnish sauna

In Finland, a nation known for the  sauna, Saunaravintola Kiulu by Studio Puisto operates as both sauna and restaurant, as well as a stage for impromptu events in the city. The restaurant offers dining experiences ranging from formal to casual while the two saunas offer a range of sauna experiences ranging from a community-driven bathing experience or a more intimate, closer one. The spaces, from private to intimate, are unified via a shared terrace near the adjacent lake and surrounding nature.  Marc Goodwin, Archmospheres The exterior of Saunaravintola Kiulu feels somewhat hidden. Its outer shell is clad in black wooden boards while the entire structure itself is nestled into the landscape, allowing it to blend into its su... More

Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi BanIndividual Buildings

House and outbuilding - Orga Architect

Both roofs feature green vegetation and a Marugame eave that changes in appearance depending on the light. In addition to Marugame, a second Zwarthout product, namely Naoshima, was used for the new design.  The characteristic pattern of Naoshima can be seen on the façade of the house and the outbuilding. The power of nature captured in roof and façade. More