Shou Sugi Ban
We explore the methods and benefits of the ancient Japanese process of charring timber as a finish to external cladding.
Shou Sugi Ban is an ancient Japanese ritual of charring wood for the purposes of wood preservation. This process provides a natural waterproofing layer to the otherwise porous timber and antithetically provides a layer of fireproofing. Furthermore the process produces a resistance to rot, insects and solar radiation. Aesthetically the inherent beauty of the timber lies not only in the textural surface and clean distinct lines of the timber finish but also in the artisanal wood treatment.
Given the primitive understanding of building construction, rudimentary tools and lack of technology advancement available at the time, this simple and elementary process highlighted the ingenuity of our ancestral race.
The pace of invention in recent years that has seen the development of a vast number of modern materials with high pollutant/ chemical properties, often sold at premium prices, seems to have overlooked this ancestral development. For this reason Studio Kyson have developed this ancient technique for incorporation into their design repertoire as an alternative to similar man-made products. Following an extensive body of detailed research into the ancient practice we developed the artisanal process ourselves and considered its relevance for today. The process is as follows:
• The process begins by evenly charring the wood on each side, as this will avoid the wood warping out of shape from the intense heat.
• The wood is hosed with cold water which rapidly cools the timber, creating a hardened outer layer.
• The surface is then brushed in the direction of the grain and then cleaned to remove excess carbon, revealing the unique textured grain of the charred timber.
• After the timber has cooled it is sealed with a natural oil to protect the wood from external climatic conditions such as dirt, water and changes in humidity.
The protective layer is created by the release of carbon. This increases the timber’s durability, reduces is reliance on ongoing maintenance and renders its a deep charcoal-black colour. Having developed the charring process we recreated the method with a variety of timbers: larch; cedar; chestnut; oak, of which larch and cedar produced the most effective results.
The outworking of our research culminated in our Treehouse project: a temporary, movable installation designed and crafted by members of Studio Kyson. This project looks beyond modern inventions and considers the revival of the more rudimentary techniques that proved so effective many years ago. The installation was first unveiled to the public to mark the Studio Kyson’s 10th anniversary, with the construction process beautifully captured by joint collaborators and video artist The Grain. The Treehouse took up residency at Battersea Power Station during the London Festival Of Architecture 2018 and has since been commissioned as the focal installation at the Annecy Festival in the south of France.
This project has allowed us to push the boundaries of what is materially possible beyond that available on the open market. Our installation is the culmination of many years of ongoing research and experimentation originating from those ancient traditions that have long been ignored. SInce then we have been able to incorporate our product into several of our residential projects including Cadogan Corner and Hill Top House.
Image: Shou Sugi Ban charred timber - archello.com
Video: Studio Kyson Treehouse Film documenting the charred timber processes.
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