Though its exact origins are unknown, historians believe the method— which involves charring Japanese cedar with fire, brushing it, cooling it, cleaning it, and varnishing it with a natural oil—began in Japan around the 1600s or 1700s. It is a labor-intensive process, as it takes around seven minutes to char just three boards.

Though shou sugi ban wood has a gorgeous, silvery finish and a crocodile-skin texture that makes it stand out from regular wood, reasons for charring it go beyond mere aesthetics.

Burning the top one-eighth inch of each wood board seals and protects the it against rain penetration and rot. Paradoxically, it also makes the wood fire resistant, so retardants won’t be necessary. The process also improves the durability, stability, and lifespan of the wood by preventing termite infestations and decay.

This type of wood has been used in Japan for centuries, but it was only around the early 2000s—thanks, in particular, to a Japanese architect named Terunobu Fujimori—that it caught the attention of architects and designers outside the country.

Today, a growing number of architects are doing great things with charred timber. Though cedar is still the most common variety for charring, other varieties such as Douglas fir, cyprus, pine, or oak are also being used.

We look at 17 homes that make mesmerizing use of the shou sugi ban technique.

A Remote Icelandic Cabin

A Lake Joseph Cottage

A Light-Filled Catskills Getaway

A Therapist’s Rhode Island Cabin

A Mexican Retreat

A Weekend Home in Michigan’s Woodlands

A Chicago-based firm known for preserving cultural landmarks builds a refined weekend home on Lake Michigan’s southern shore.
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A Vermont Dwelling with Dramatic Mountain Views

Terunbo Fujimori’s Charred Cedar House

A Unique London Prefab

An Elegant, Pine-Clad Trailer

A Striking Michigan Lake House

A Barn-Inspired Hudson Valley Home

A Funky Charred-Wood Amsterdam House

A Series of Alaskan Cubes

A Zen Refuge in Southern California

A Tea Room on the Top Floor

A Summer Cottage in Rhode Island

Related Reading:

8 Japanese-Inspired Spaces We Love

32 Black Gable Houses With Seriously Witchy Vibes

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A Designer’s Catskills Home and Studio Wears a Shou Sugi Ban Skin