ESG
An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about ESG
Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban • Fire 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
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Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban • Private 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 Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban • Nurseries
Primary school and childcare KC Meerdijk
Set within a green residential environment, this public building designed by RAU architects demonstrates how material performance and architectural expression can reinforce one another. The building’s monolithic appearance is defined by Yoroi; a deeply charred bamboo façade developed for projects where aesthetics, durability and certified fire safety are equally essential.
Powerful architectural identityThe façade creates a calm yet powerful architectural identity. Its dark, tactile surface allows the volume to merge naturally into the surrounding landscape, while the refined markings of the charred bamboo introduce depth, texture and subtle variation. Under changing daylight conditions, the carbonised surface develops... More
Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban • Kyushu
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
Product • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban • Yoroi
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 Ban • Shodoshima
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 Ban • Sakaide
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 Ban • Takamatsu
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 Ban • Nakatado
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 Ban • Naoshima
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 Ban • Omiyama
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 Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban • Marugame
Marugame
This beautiful, charred wood has a characteristic and equally divided pattern. The silvery glow of the charred layer has a different look depending on the angle of the sunlight. The hard charred layer makes Marugame ideal as a sustainable cladding for roofs and facades. Marugame is also very suitable as an attractive eye- catcher in a special interior.
The wood used for Marugame is Accoya® of the Pinus Radiata tree, a fast-growing pine species. The wood is modified through a non-toxic acetylation process. Accoya® is labelled with durability class 1 and other quality certifications (i.a. KOMO, RAL, BBA, WDMA), and a cradle-to- cradle gold certification. The wood has a lifespan of at least 50 years above ground, and 25 years... More
Project • By Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban • Individual 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