Featured recently on Architect Magazine online, the Shou Sugi Ban House in Houston’s Garden Oaks neighborhood – designed by SPD’s Jay Deguchi with Steven Nielsen. Shou Sugi Ban 焼杉板 is an ancient Japanese exterior siding technique that preserves wood by charring it. The process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil. It is an environmentally friendly way to preserve the timber and (paradoxically) make it fire resistant. Used inside and outside, the wood was from greater Seattle and was charred by the owners in Houston. Photo by Divya Pande.