In the Press

The beginning point for this project was to design a sculptural artwork that the owners could fabricate their lives in and around.

Using the traditional Japanese technique of preserving wood by charring it, shou sugi ban, Christchurch-based family-owned company Chartek is revolutionising the process for New Zealand homes.

An appreciation for simplicity is beautifully illustrated in this three-bedroom central city home from Petersen and Barnes, although it’s somewhat deceptive given the conceptual thinking behind it.

If ever a house deserves to be called a family sanctuary, this is it. Sitting just above the Central Otago town of Wānaka, the meticulously crafted and adaptable 309sqm home is an intergenerational retreat built on land lived on by the client for more than 20 years.

Charred cladding as an exterior cladding option is a material gaining more interest as we start to see this ancient Japanese craft on New Zealand Homes.

An abstract, monolithic, timber sculpture, this house on the hills above Sumner is a highly successful experiment of tactility and plan, of function and art.

The technique of charring wood to enhance its durability originated in Japan centuries ago. But in 2023, interest is growing in New Zealand for the unique look it provides.