Shou Sugi Ban

Shou Sugi Ban, also written yakisugi, is a traditional Japanese method of charring the surface of wood to protect it from fire, insects, and rot. The char layer carbonizes the outer fibers, leaving a dark, textured finish that weathers slowly and requires little maintenance. Architects now use it on facades, rainscreens, and interior surfaces.

Community work under this topic examines how charred timber performs in different climates and building types, from bushfire-prone sites to residential retrofits and houses that pair wood with masonry, concrete, and natural stone. Several projects also address the technique's role in fire resistance and in creating a continuous, sculptural envelope.