For our recent Penlan project ‘Burnt Larch House’, we have embraced the traditional ancient Japanese method of Yakisugi (焼杉).

Yaki means to heat with fire, and sugi is cypress.

By slightly charring the surface of the wood without combusting the whole piece, the wood becomes water-proof through the carbonisation and is thus more durable.

It also protects against insects, as well as making it fire retardant.

It also looks beautiful.