When designing a sustainable house, it is important to keep the structure as close to nature as possible. And that is why a sustainable type of wood with a natural look and feel is a good choice.
At Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban, we only use wood from demonstrably sustainably managed forests.
We ensure that trees are planted back every time. And every year we organise our Zwarthout tree planting day!
Once the wood is processed by our fire masters using the Shou Sugi Ban technique, it is given natural protection against insects and moisture. Which is good, because this way a structure will last a long time in nature, without requiring maintenance with all kinds of chemicals. Moreover, treating the wood with fire gives it a natural fire-retardant effect.
Shou Sugi Ban wood is recyclable and does not harm the environment. On the contrary, it absorbs CO2. Furthermore, the result of building with wood is a smaller footprint compared to building with for example stone. And the looks: what better suits a sustainable home than a material that comes straight from nature? Exactly, wood is the perfect choice and blends in well with its surroundings in terms of appearance.
If, as an architect, you are designing a sustainable house, there is a lot involved. You are looking for the best combination of beauty, comfort, functionality and sustainability. Shou Sugi Ban wood is a sustainable cladding with a modern twist. The charred variants are maintenance-free, so maintenance is not required. In addition, we burn wood to size. You can choose planks of various sizes and, if required, our Mounting service team can mount the wood in the perfect way.
A great example of where sustainable living has been realised is the Geuloever project, which we proudly executed in Haasstad, Schin op Geul. An idyllic spot in the Limburg landscape that called for a home where leisure time can be spent. This location along a river regularly floods.
The solution? Putting a Shou Sugi Ban-clad house entirely on trees, high above the water. The house completely blends into its surroundings and leaves no CO2 footprint. In fact, it has been made completely energy-neutral by using solar collectors, solar panels and a helophyte filter for sewage treatment.
We have done many more projects where a sustainable home was chosen using our exclusive charred wood. We would love to introduce you to Shou Sugi Ban’s Japanese beauty and sustainability, which is why we have collected some of our inspiring projects on our website. Take a look and see what is possible.
Are you enthusiastic about the properties of Shou Sugi Ban and do you have your own ideas for implementing them in the design of a sustainable home? Contact us if you would like to know more about the possibilities, we would be happy to spar with you about your plans.
Or request our sample box to see, feel and experience Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban wood yourself. Different types of wood, each with its own look and texture, so you always choose the product you want for your sustainable home project.
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.
