Burned wood

On two adjacent plots with a total area of 894 square metres, two detached single-storey houses from the 1960s have been transformed into one coherent architectural composition. Designed by Thomas Wyss, the project brings together Japanese-inspired details, natural materials and a deep sensitivity to landscape. Jürg Zimmermann Rather than allowing the architecture to dominate its setting, the design creates a calm dialogue with the garden. Water, stone, trees and carefully framed views become part of the spatial experience. Inside and outside are closely connected, with large openings, natural timber, stone surfaces and refined detailing guiding the eye towards the surrounding greenery. Jürg Zimmermann For the fa&ccedi... More

Surrounded by flowers, mature greenery and the river Le Clain, this villa in France has undergone a complete transformation. The renovation gives the house a contemporary architectural identity, while preserving a strong connection with its natural setting. Caption For the façade, Marugame by Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban was selected to bring depth, texture and character to the renovated volume. The distinctive black charred wood wraps the building in a powerful material layer, creating a clear contrast with the surrounding garden, natural stone elements and soft landscape. Caption The silvery-black charcoal surface of Marugame gives the villa a refined and tactile appearance. Its textured finish catches the light in subtle... More

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

Surrounded by water, open fields and mature trees, this holiday home on Schermerland is designed as a place of calm, connection and retreat. The architecture sits carefully within the landscape, embracing the quiet rhythm of the surroundings while creating a strong and contemporary material identity. For this project, the architects selected Shodoshima by Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban to clad the three separate volumes. By using the same charred and brushed wood across the different elements, the design gains a sense of unity. The dark façades connect the main house, the guest volume and the yoga space, while allowing each volume to retain its own position within the landscape. Jorrit ’t Hoen Jorrit ’t Hoen The de... More

In the city of Issy-les-Moulineaux, the Trilogy project makes a powerful architectural statement. Comprising 180 residential units and an innovative business centre, the development is composed of three vertical buildings, each with its own identity within the urban fabric. Joan Bracco For one of these volumes, Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban was asked to create a façade with depth, texture and a strong visual presence. The result is a building fully wrapped in Shodoshima: charred and brushed wood that gives the architecture a distinctive, sculptural character. Joan Bracco The dark wooden façade does more than define the exterior. It brings rhythm to the vertical composition, softens the scale of the building and creates... More

An innovative 1,600 m2 architectural building organised into three main functions: cultural, religious and residential. Designed by the architect Duthilleul, the building uses innovative technologies to ensure harmony between the city and nature, respect for the environment and creativity, and fidelity to the ideas of Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Didier Boy de la Tour Didier Boy de la Tour Didier Boy de la Tour The structure is made of wood and the facades are made of glass and burnt wood Marugame. The chapel has a wooden structure with a filling of lime and hemp and is covered with a plaster of raw earth. Didier Boy de la Tour Didier Boy de la Tour More

Lidl Zero Almere is entirely made of sustainable and circular materials. So is the entire facade of this supermarket! It’s is made of our charred product Marugame. The vertical Marugame boards give the building a silvery glow when the sun shines and at the same time the façade gets a characteristic look because of the texture of the charred layer.  Anahí Clemens Sustainability is so important to us, so it is fantastic to be part of the first energy and CO2 neutral supermarket ”Lidl Zero Almere”! Anahí Clemens Anahí Clemens More

An elegant cube with a silvery sheen. Creative teams of architects are at work at this headquarters.  In September 2019, our charred wood Marugame was ready to be mounted on the facade. For this project, we fired the planks of different widths piece by piece in our own oven. Christa Henke The black facade with playful pattern perfectly matches the square windows and the glossy look of the Daelken logo.  The design by Daelken architektur stands for strength, warmth and style. Christa Henke More

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

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

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

This silky shining dwelling is located in an rural expansion area. At first glance this rustic laid back house does not stand out among the surrounding houses. The burnt wood subtly refers to black barns in this area.  John van Groenedaal The origin of the black-burned facade cladding technique is in Japan, where it is called Shou Sugi Ban. They use this age-old technique to make wood maintenance-free and sustainable. Burning creates a layer of carbon on the wood so that the ingress of moisture and mold is prevented.  John van Groenedaal The chamfering of the charred house follows the border of the plot. It is also oriented to the position of the sun. The entire house forms an asymmetrical sculptural play of mass and o... More