Charred Timber
Charred and burnt timber as a material and design element in contemporary architecture and interiors.
Charred timber, also known as shou sugi ban, is an ancient Japanese technique of surface-charring wood to enhance durability and create distinctive dark aesthetics. Designers use this method to add visual depth, weathering character, and protective properties to both structural and decorative timber elements.
The community explores charred timber across residential projects, from intimate fireplace installations to large-scale mass timber towers, examining how the material bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern architectural practice and sustainable building methods.
Popular projects
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Latest journals
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Arkitekt Folstad Knut Builds a Timber Temple That Blurs the Line Between Old and New in Norway
A 106-square-meter cabin in Sirdal reinterprets the stacking logic of traditional Norwegian timber buildings with contemporary craft.
Powerhouse Company Builds Rotterdam's First Mass Timber Residential Tower on Cold War Foundations
In Pendrecht, a 12-story CLT housing block replaces a demolished post-war high-rise while standing on its original piles.
Gløde: A Fireplace Shelter Glowing in Norwegian Birch
MA/CO builds a 24 square metre timber pavilion in Norway where charred shingles, raw framing, and a sunken fire pit make architecture radiate warmth.
Timber Renewal House by HGA Henning Grahn Architektur
Sustainable timber house in Mainz by HGA Henning Grahn Architektur, blending prefabrication, material honesty, and compact design for efficient urban living.
