Asheville architecture firm, Rueger Riley explores the ancient Japanese technique of charring wood siding with fire. In the hunt for a low maintenance, long-lasting siding with natural beauty we decided to dwell back into the Shou Sugi Ban(or Yakisugi)for the Cane Creek home.

Our previous designs using Shou Sugi Ban involved outsourcing the process to specialists like Delta Millworks in Austin, Texas. For Cane Creek, we are presented with a tight budget leading us to a general curiosity and passion to try it ourselves.

Our research preparation, leads us to John Neeman’s wooden house project and his wonderful display of the Shou Sugi Ban process:

A process that demands time and patience, it involves charring the wood, cooling/cleaning, and finishing it with a natural oil. The final results leave a unique,beautiful product known for resisting fire, rot, insects, and providing a lifespan of up to 80 years.