You may have seen the use of dark external Shou Sugi Ban cladding in Japanese architecture in modern and centuries old buildings. This effect is not simply done for aesthetic reasons, it is created by the charring of timbers to increase the stability and durability of the wood. Outstanding stability is something we at Accoya immediately identify with.

The history of Shou Sugi Ban

Shou Sugi Ban, which is also known as “Yakisugi”, is a traditional form of wood preservation which originated in Japan in the 18th Century. Its geographical origins are believed to be in the Sendai region where this unusual and highly attractive charring technique was created to strengthen and protect wood. For such a simple, old and traditional method, it performs incredibly well by today’s standards and used extensively worldwide.

The benefits of Shou Sugi Ban

Burnt wood cladding not only looks stylish and contemporary, blackened timber also provides many tangible and important benefits over untreated wood.

• Stability – one of the key benefits of employing the Shou Sugi Ban technique to timber is the increased strength and stability it brings. Burnt wood cladding is resistant to twisting, distorting and warping. This makes it an excellent long-term exterior cladding material.
• Protection – Japanese burnt wood cladding is highly resistant to temperature and moisture. The process of Shou Sugi Ban creates a naturally waterproof surface that is almost impossible to reignite. This dramatically extends the lifespan of the burnt wood cladding.
• Preservation – during the charring process, the pores in the timber shrink which reduces their ability to retain water and decay. Pests such as insects and termites feed on mold, but being waterproof, charred wood takes away the food they thrive on.
• Sustainability – Shou Sugi Ban cladding is environmentally friendly as it doesn’t contain any chemicals or treatments that are hazardous to the environment.
• Low-maintenance – Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood cladding has a prolonged life and needs very little maintenance, especially if the timbers that receive the treatment are Accoya wood which already carry a 50-year guarantee.
• Aesthetics – blackened timber is a highly contemporary look that is proving increasingly popular particularly for exterior timber cladding . Its charcoal black tones or contrasts perfectly with almost any colour palette whilst it also emphasizes the natural textural pattern and grain of the wood, Accoya wood in particular.

Woods suitable for Shou Sugi Ban cladding

Not all woods are ideal for Shou Sugi Ban treatment. Those that will make good burnt wood cladding include Accoya, cedar, pine, spruce and larch timbers. One of the advantages of using charred Accoya wood is that it creates a highly refined and defined pattern in comparison to other wood species.

The traditional Shou Sugi Ban firing process

There are several steps involved in the centuries-old process of creating Japanese burnt wood cladding.

First the wood is dried to reduce the moisture content of the wood. This ensures that the wood burns more evenly. Next the surface of the wood needs to be made flat by planing and sanding its surfaces.

To create a very high even temperature and consistent deep charring, one side of the wood is burnt by tying three planks together to effectively form a tall chimney and then lighting a fire below it. The type of wood dictates how long and how intensely the blackened timber is burnt for. The skill to Shou Sugi Ban is in achieving the correct balance of surface protection and retaining structural integrity.

Finally, the charred wood planks are separated and cooled quickly. To finish, the charring can be brushed away using a wire brush before an oil or water-based stain is applied. If used indoors, to an additional fix layer is applied.

Modern uses for Shou Sugi Ban cladding

Architects and interior designers worldwide use Japanese burnt wood cladding to great effect in various applications both inside and outside of the buildings and homes they create.

In Sweden, architect Abelardo Gonzalez created a new build family home with an entire façade of Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood cladding, including across the roof.

An award-winning symbolic memorial monument in Edmonton, Canada, designed by Shape Architecture Inc. and PECHET Studio, is protected from Alberta’s long severe winters by Shou Sugi Ban cladding.

Delta Millworks used charred wood to panel the interior walls in the living room of a contemporary residential home based in San Franscisco to dramatic effect.

In Park City, Utah, a modern three-story Passivhaus designed and built by Klima Architecture. Highly sustainable and energy efficient, the house’s exterior is wrapped in Shou Sugi Ban cladding to fit with the eco-conscious theme.

LaRue Architects revamped a 1880s townhouse in Austin, Texas into a modern hillside home. The stairwell features burnt wood cladding with a custom grey finish.

In the Netherlands, the owners of a beautiful private residence chose a striking facade of Shou Sugi Ban blackened timber for their garage and contrasted it with a natural wood garage door.

The last word on Shou Sugi Ban

If you are looking for an unusual, dramatic and contemporary cladding material that offers excellent protection, is sustainable and easy to maintain, you should consider Shou Sugi Ban Japanese burnt wood cladding. Accoya offers a range of highly durable, stable and beautiful charred timber cladding which you can explore at your leisure.

Owning an outdoor pool must be high up on everyone’s bucket list. You’re incredibly lucky if you have one already, but if you’re planning on either adding one to your backyard or overhauling your existing pool, here’s a pool of exciting wood pool deck ideas for you to dip in and out of at your leisure. From innovative above-ground pool decks to stunning inground designs, these ideas showcase a blend of beauty and inspiration, perfect for transforming your poolside into a personal oasis.

Advantages of wood pool decking

Before you jump in, imagine the benefits of owning a pool surrounded by the timeless beauty and warmth of a natural wood deck. Perfect for entertaining friends, relaxing with family or simply unwinding after a stressful day, a pool with authentic wood decking creates an attractive space that you really want to spend time in. Unlike bleak concrete patio and pool surrounds, wood decking looks elegant, copes well with weather extremes and has a wonderful natural look.

Accoya is the perfect choice of wood for a pool deck. It’s not only the high-performance, low-maintenance choice, it’s a sustainably sourced product and comes with a free 25 year guarantee. It gets less hot in the sun than other materials, is crack and splinter resistant, even over decades, and is barefoot-friendly.

1. Cool contrast

What we love about this impressive inground pool deck is the choice of gray colored wood decking which contrasts beautifully with the stone edging of the pool. By decking the whole terrace in sustainable Accoya Color Grey it creates an elegant connection to a dining and seating area at the rear of the property.

2. All the right curves

Don’t just think in straight lines when designing a pool. Because wood is so easy to cut and shape, you can create a more natural look by using curves to frame your pool. In this particular example by M. Hechenblaickner, the edge of the pool is cut in a sweeping curve which contrasts the linear stone walls and, over time, the wood deck has developed a handsome silver-gray patina. The addition of large rounded stones along the edge in the pool also softens the look.

3. Oasis of calm

Why not transform your garden into a stunning and inviting oasis like this one? This is one of those clever pool decking ideas by Formare GmbH that creates a contrast between the pristine wooden decking and curvaceous feature fencing, the contemporary stainless-steel pool, cool blue water and verdant green lawn, trees and shrubs. Cool, calming and somewhere private to relax in style.

4. Fully immersive

Got a compact backyard? Good design like this can include a pool where you never thought possible. Here, Natura Piscines not only specified wood for the decking of the entertaining area, they actually extended it into the pool itself. Blending in seamlessly with the rest of the deck, this was only possible by using durable and rot-proof.

5. Natural balance

Why not enlist the help of Mother Nature to bring a natural balance to your pool project. Here, this environmentally conscious hybrid pool is half pool and half pond. This not only looks incredibly natural, it uses gravel and plants to filter and treat the water entirely without any chemical additives. The designers here strengthened the sustainability of the pool by using Accoya Color Grey wood decking for the surround which harmonizes perfectly with the peacefulness of this natural swimming area, supplied by Enno Roggemann.

6. Distressed to chill

If you are looking for a relaxed, elegant looking pool area, consider a wood deck with a distressed finish like this design supplied by Kobel. The planks of this wood deck were expertly wire brushed before they were installed. This not only gives it a wonderful texture with increased anti-slip properties, it also creates a more natural lived-in modern aesthetic. The perfect environment to chill and take a refreshing dip.

7. Water therapy

Water has a therapeutic effect on people and this pool not only looks great, it’s good for your mind, too. Recreating the feel of an outdoor spa, the above ground wood deck surround uses highly water-resistant treated wood. One length of the pool side is raised to accommodate twin embedded contemporary waterfall features. These add an extra relaxing visual and acoustic dimension to the pool. The project was carried out by M. Hechenblaickner.

8. Nude and natural

The brief for this pool was keep it sleek and natural and the designers have certainly achieved this. This wide expanse of light-colored uncoated wood decking gives the illusion of space and the semi-circular pool entrance adds a classical touch to the pool design. In time, the wood will weather and mellow to a soft gray to tone with the outdoor furniture and tinted gray glazing. Installed by The Natural Pool Company.

9. Uber cool and comfortable

The terrace of this magnificent French villa has a highly attractive wood swimming pool deck and pool surround. Accoya wood was chosen by Woodstone Project because of its durability, stability and rot resistance. It’s what also keeps the surround’s cool and makes it naturally barefoot-friendly. Notice how the direction of the decking syncs with the length of the pool and also the cushion seams of the sun loungers.

10. Go Greek

The last of our pool deck ideas take inspiration from the idyllic Greek Islands which are bathed in glorious sunshine the majority of the year. Brilliant white buildings, turquoise seas and sun-bleached wood – this wood deck surround, pool, white paint and traditional Greek-style gazebo work to dazzling effect. With regular cooling dips and splashing, the qualities and sustainability credentials of Accoya high performance wood pool decking made it the obvious choice and were supplied by Atlas Wood.

Want more inspiration and information?

Visit our Pool Decking page for more ideas, options and in-depth information about how Accoya can enhance any pool project.

Innovative urban landscape design using sustainable materials is key to creating greener, more livable cities. Urban spaces don’t only need to rely on vast green areas to make an impact.

Thoughtfully designed urban outdoor seating, strategically placed sustainable lighting, eco-friendly structures and sculptures can all enhance the physical and mental well-being while giving our towns and cities a more unique and inviting sense of identity.

Accoya’s role in sustainable urban landscape design

When designers, architects and specifiers consider materials for bringing their urban landscape design ideas to life, wood is the natural choice.

When sourced responsibly from sustainably managed forests, it becomes a highly renewable, carbon-negative building material – offering both aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits.

Accoya high-performance modified wood is a standout choice for sustainable urban landscaping. It is accredited by the FSC® and is Cradle to Cradle (C2C) overall Gold certified®. In fact, it is one of the very few building materials in the world to achieve C2C Platinum certification® for Material Health.

Non-toxic and with zero risk of leaching synthetic compounds or chemicals means it is safe for people and planet. Its unrivalled durability – with industry-leading warranties of up to 50 years – makes it ideal for long-lasting, low maintenance urban spaces. By choosing Accoya, designers can create sustainable, striking and resilient landscapes that stand the test of time.

Urban Outdoor Seating

Worth Square, New York

Under the gaze of New York’s iconic Flatiron Building at Worth Square, sits a wonderful example of urban landscape design by APE Studio and MoveART. The square hosts an elegantly designed space for people to meet and rest and its apex is a flowing, undulating piece of sustainable outdoor seating made from Accoya. Its inviting form encourages people of all ages to engage, interact and take five from the hustle and bustle of the urban plaza near Madison Square Park Conservancy.

Green Mile, Austria

Fotocredit: Stadt Graz/Foto Fischer

In the Austrian city of Graz, since 2013, Zinzendorfgasse, aka “Green Mile”, has been a vibrant experiment in urban change. It has been transformed into a slow street – a lively, greener meeting zone shared by both vehicles and pedestrians. Sustainable Accoya “parklets” by M. Hechenblaickner were created to provide robust and inviting urban outdoor seating where a wide diversity of people can pause, meet and enjoy. Built to last and leave a lasting impression.

The Strand, London

London is one of the busiest cities in the world and The Strand is one of the capital’s most congested and polluted streets. With the help of intelligent sustainable outdoor seating design and Accoya wood by LDA Design, it is now a more serene, greener destination. Three gently sweeping sculpted benches were installed on the newly pedestrianized section of The Strand for pedestrians to relax and enjoy in peace and tranquility of this new garden and lawn.

Urban Oasis, France

This development of a courtyard office building in Paris perfectly illustrates the transformative value of innovative urban outdoor seating. Harmoniously blending durable Accoya wood and steel together, the design completely changes the feel of the courtyard with an inspiring combination of sustainability, aesthetics and functionality. The result is an attractive space with sustainable outdoor seating that gives professionals working in the office a sense of mental well-being. The urban space was created through the collaboration of project architects BSTLL, project management by PILGRIM, and French artisan manufacturer Ateliers Georges Mahot.

Caernarfon Castle, Wales

At Wales’ first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Accoya wood decking and urban outdoor seating was installed as part of a £5m conservation and development project. Buttress Architects specified Accoya wood for the new rooftop viewing deck and seating areas which has similar tones to the castle’s original masonry and will weather in time to tie in with the overall look and feel of the castle. It adds a new contemporary layer to Caernarfon Castle’s rich history.

Award-winning Benches, Dubai

In the UAE emirate of Dubai, Accoya was selected by Szonyi for its impressive environmental credentials for this innovative sustainable outdoor seating design. The bench is constructed by Aubrilam using boomerang shaped Accoya sections, hinged at their apex along a linear steel axis, which enable the public to change the configuration of the seating. The advanced modified wood’s strength and durability mean it can withstand constant reconfiguration. This urban outdoor seating design won the top award at the Design Days Dubai Urban Commissions competition.

Thiepval Museum, France

President Macron unveiled this unique sustainable outdoor seating design in the “Peace Garden” at the Thiepval memorial near Amiens in Northern France. At 36 meters long, this bench was created to commemorate the WW1 Armistice and is the longest seat in the world made from sustainable Accoya modified wood. The bench that snakes through the wood, wrapping around and engaging with existing trees, is inspired by the ribbon of history that connects both the past and the future. Deliberately sanded and untreated to weather naturally, the Accoya wood was selected for its sustainability, minimal maintenance and 50-year above ground guarantee. A lasting tribute. Created in collaboration with Oxford Planters and Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer, the bench—crafted from 2.5 cubic metres of Accoya wood supplied by Arnold Laver—was built in six weeks and installed in two days as the centerpiece of the ‘peace garden.’

Floating Jetty, Amsterdam

On Oosterdokseiland island, just to the east of Amsterdam Centraal Station, a long floating jetty, featuring 5 sleek contemporary benches, were all created from Accoya wood distributed by Van Swaay and designed by IPV Delft. This sustainable outdoor seating and decking uses over 300 meters of Accoya deck planks which was selected not only for its eco credentials but also for to its unrivalled dimensional stability, long service life and low maintenance. After researching Oak and other wood species for the Jetty, De Boer and De Groot civil works chose Accoya due to its dimensional stability, long service life and sustainability credentials.

Urban Lighting Design

The Pike, CA USA

In downtown Long Beach, California, a newly reinvented and vibrant shopping, leisure and entertainment district called The Pike is a popular waterfront destination. Architects responsible for the urban lighting design specified lighting poles with double aluminum extrusion uprights and Accoya high-performance wood wood center accents and fixture arms. Accoya was selected as the project demanded sustainable lighting with strong, highly durable materials and finishes that provide a long-lasting solution. The Accoya light poles were created and designed by Structura, as part of their Duo Horizontal Arm range. With the help of P+R Architects who are now known as Retail Design Collaborative, The Pike has now been repositioned into a popular waterfront destination – a newly reinvented, vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment district, lining the Downtown Long Beach to Shoreline Village.

Biltmore Restaurant, AZ USA

The upscale area of Biltmore, Arizona, required sustainable lighting for a new concept restaurant called Hillstone. The urban lighting design brief was to seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor experience and to do that, Accoya high-performance wood lighting poles were selected and strategically sighted. This sustainable lighting solution blends nature and style with stability and durability.

St Patrick’s Island, Canada

The urban landscape design company tasked with the St. Patrick’s Island project selected elegant sustainable lighting poles featuring Accoya high-performance wood for “The Tip” section of the island which overlooks downtown Calgary. As the project was close to a wetland, Accoya was the ideal choice due to its unrivalled durability, stability and ability to last 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground. The wood’s eco credentials also met the designer’s sustainable and environmental vision. A superb example of biophilic design. The project involved Structura for lighting design, CMLC for public engagement, and Civitas with W Architecture for park design.

Solar Bollards

 

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Sustainable urban lighting design is becoming increasingly important to designers of urban projects. These solar bollards by Structure provide an eco-friendly way of helping create attractive and safer lighting for property, pathways, parking lots and public and commercial spaces. The product designers selected Accoya high-performance wood made from renewable and sustainable sources. It was chosen not only its aesthetics, but also for its durability, paint retention, dimensional stability and in-ground performance.

Lighting Bollards, France

Highly eco-responsible, these lighting poles by Aubrilam are made of Accoya high-performance wood, specified for their durability, stability and sustainability. The lights themselves are highly efficient in terms of energy usage, too.

Urban Structures Design

Play Pod, NSW Australia

A new super-neighborhood center in Eastern Creek, New South Wales provides a place to shop, eat, socialize, connect and play. The Architectural Pod Playground Designed by Arcadia Landscape Architecture and realised by Tilt Industrial Design, features a piece of bespoke urban landscape design made from Accoya wood. Made to an organic design, this innovative curved timber Play Pod structure is created using Accoya beams and battens as key design features. Lightweight, stable, sustainable and durable, Accoya will give today’s and future children decades of safe and inspiring play. The curved glulam beams and battens were fabricated by Curvwood using Accoya wood, which was supplied by Mathews Timber Sydney.

Rosenfeld Park, Basel, Switzerland

Sometimes the best urban landscape project by Holzpur is actually the most fun one. Take this playground in Rosenfeld Park in Basel, Switzerland which projects a quirky and innovative design language and features a series of climbing eggs. Made from a combination of robust, high-quality Accoya and locust wood, the eggs invite children to develop their creativity and skills. The durability and stability of Accoya ensure they have fun learning in a safe and engaging play environment.

Japanese Pavilion, English Channel Islands

© Chris George Photography

This brand new Accoya wood pavilion was installed at Sausmarez Park on Guernsey in the English Channel Islands by Paul’s Joinery Ltd. The Japanese style pavilion is a replacement for the previous pavilion that had become rotten and unsafe for visitors. The charity project selected Accoya high-performance wood due to its high stability, durability and long lifespan with a guarantee to withstand the elements. All timbers used to create the pavilion are Accoya, except the cedar roof shingles.

Autistic Garden, London

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the world’s premier annual garden events and in 2024, Accoya wood and Accoya Color were selected for the urban landscape design of the National Autistic Garden. Designed in collaboration with the National Autistic Society, the designers, Dido Milne of CSK Architects and Sophie Parmenter in collaboration with the National Autistic Society, created distinct spaces that represent different type of social interaction. Accoya’s superior sustainability credentials and durability made this wood the obvious choice for the garden’s pavilions and the boardwalk utilized Accoya Color, chosen for its weather resistance, longevity and slip resistant qualities, which were important for when it was relocated to Scotland after the show.

Urban Sculptural Design

Soundwave, NSW Australia

A highly personal piece of urban landscape design was created for a private garden in Vaucluse on the South Head east of Sydney. This Sculptural Soundwave Symphony consists of a sequence of 270 laminated Accoya wood blades that make up the sound waves of the client’s daughter’s wedding song. Each blade of the 16-meter long soundwave has its own unique contours and dimensions and the whole installation has the illusion of floating. The adjoining deck is also made of Accoya which was also selected for its unmatched dimensional stability, durability, and sustainability. Outhouse Design led the project, collaborating with Curvwood, a renowned Sydney-based glulam manufacturer, to bring the vision to life.

Nine Elms, England

Situated near the iconic Battersea Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames in Nine Elms, London, this Accoya wood sculpture was designed by MoveART to create a sense of peace and inspiration to this densely populated area. The regenerated Battersea Power Station has attracted throngs of new visitors and residents and these impressive examples of urban landscape design have brightened up the area. Accoya sustainable wood was specified for all sculptures for its exceptional durability and stability and sustainability benefits.

Gascoigne Park, England

This vibrant public space in Barking, East London, is renowned for its innovative and sustainable landscape design and is the perfect demonstration of the versatility and durability of Accoya wood. Designed by MoveART to create an inviting environment, the three moveable sculptures enable the users to change each object. The exceptional durability and barefoot-friendly nature of Accoya enables visitors to comfortably engage with the sculptures free from the risk of splinters.

If you need any more information about Accoya applications for urban landscape design, please contact us.