We would like to tell you more about the history of Shou Sugi Ban, the origin of Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban, our love for wood and fire and the assembly service we can offer.
Shou Sugi Ban (‘charred cypress’) is a special Japanese charring technique, inspired by an ancient tradition. Three slabs of pinewood would be bound together into the shape of a chimney and a fire was lit inside the base. This is how the facade parts of traditional Japanese wooden houses were given a fire retardant, sustainable, and natural protective layer.
Shou Sugi Ban is still being applied in Japan. It is also used for modern buildings, designed by well-known architects such as Terunobu Fujimori.
Our founder was the first person to bring Shou Sugi Ban to Europe. He then set out to master the traditional wood charring technique. In addition, he developed an efficient production process to guarantee the top-quality of our charred wood. Even and sustainable.
Our firemasters char all our wood, one by one, in a controlled environment in our own workshop in Leersum, a small village in The Netherlands. This way we can guarantee equal and uniform technical specifications. In our test centre, we continue to pioneer and innovate to find new ways of charring, to identify new sustainable wood types and to create new finishes with biodegradable resin and oil.
Our founder was the first person to bring Shou Sugi Ban to Europe. He then set out to master the traditional wood charring technique. In addition, he developed an efficient production process to guarantee the top-quality of our charred wood. Even and sustainable.
Our firemasters char all our wood, one by one, in a controlled environment in our own workshop in Leersum, a small village in The Netherlands. This way we can guarantee equal and uniform technical specifications. In our test centre, we continue to pioneer and innovate to find new ways of charring, to identify new sustainable wood types and to create new finishes with biodegradable resin and oil.
Since 2012 we combine old-fashioned craftsmanship with modern technology (and a love of wood and fire). The result: a beautiful collection of black charred wood types of the highest quality. Exclusive, and each with their own beautiful texture, character, and finish. All orders are sized, sawn and carefully charred to your personal specifications.
Our team consists of: builder-architects, product developers, charring masters, carpenters and technicians. We all have a fondness for natural and fair materials: For wood with character and, of course, for fire!
Thanks to our specialists, we can always – depending on the design of your project – give out the right advice on detailing and finishes. On request, we can also create a mock-up for you.
The experts of our Zwarthout mounting service can help you assemble our wood in the most beautiful (and technically best) way possible. So, you can optimally enjoy the wonderful result. The Zwarthout mounting service is available for projects in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, and Switzerland.
Thanks to our specialists, we can always – depending on the design of your project – give out the right advice on detailing and finishes. On request, we can also create a mock-up for you.
The experts of our Zwarthout mounting service can help you assemble our wood in the most beautiful (and technically best) way possible. So, you can optimally enjoy the wonderful result. The Zwarthout mounting service is available for projects in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, and Switzerland.
We have put together two Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban sample boxes: one for interior design applications and one for façade cladding.
That way, you can experience the attention, care and love we pour into each piece of wood yourself. And, of course, the beauty and exclusive looks the various textures have to offer.
