Dwell.com recently posted a slideshow of Terunobu Fujimori, a Japanese architect who does some amazingly beautful things with charred cedar. After searching around and finding nothing more on the actual process of charring cedar I still feel compelled to post this, if not only for my own remembrance in the future. The first set of images are of Fujimori’s process in making charred cedar planks.
Fujimori demonstrating the process of charring cedar boards, packs newspaper into the base of three planks that have been bound together.
To begin the charring process, the newspaper that has been packed between the boards is set on fire.
Fujimori uses a tool to coax the fire up the boards; this ensures and even charring of the wood.
Once the fire is evenly distributed across the length of the board, it is simply a matter of patience.
After seven minutes, the length of time it takes to produce the proper amount of char, the boards are separated.
The craftsman pours water over the boards to halt the charring process.
After the flames have been put out, the boards continue to crackle and smoke. Charring the boards properly requires a delicate balance between just enough burning, but not too much.
The primitive and painstaking process is said to protect wood against rain, rot, and insects for 80 years. It also give the exteriors a reptilian texture thats as striking as it is practical.
The following are images of structures clad in charred cedar. These are also by Fujimori. Enjoy!
Origin Post: www.dwell.com
Author: Dwell.com
Invisible Creature's Poster Design
Mejiro Studio Architecture's Apartment Complexes in Shimizugaoka
These houses are soooooooo cool!
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This method is phenomenal. My own house in Amsterdam (2.0) is also done this way.
I am now perfecting the charring method.
Absolutely Unreal this is the Awesomeness of real art.
Thank you Terunobu Fujimori I have to try this out.
Charmaster Dolph Cooke
It is an amazing look that I am in the process of duplicating on my elevated Western red cedar planters. My burn time will be less than the standard and a propane torch will be used. The initial results are encouraging and will soon be on the web site.