House with Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) Siding｜Custom Home Examples by Architectural Offices4Picks Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department

Yakisugi (charred cedar) exterior walls impart tranquil impressions through black hues and unique expressions born from charring. Surface irregularities and grain visibility vary, with exterior expressions shifting by light incidence. Black exterior walls, while wooden, evoke warmth differing from metal or concrete, with impressions changing via plantings and surrounding scenery. Beyond full-building yakisugi, combining it with contrasting materials accentuates textures. Incorporating traditional materials into contemporary residences connects to modern building expressions while retaining tradition. From real examples of custom homes by architectural firms, we decode how yakisugi textures enrich exterior appearances.

A House in Fushimi, Kyoto Tetsuya Kimura Architects

Standing beside a river in Fushimi, Kyoto, this house accommodates a workspace on the first floor and living quarters on the second. In response to the streetscape of sake breweries, the exterior walls are clad in black charred cedar, while the textures of the materials are expressed plainly, both inside and out. Rough plywood walls and ceilings, along with an earthen-floored area that retains the concrete as it is, create a simple space in which the boundary between structure and finish is blurred. The careful handiwork of the craftsmen brings out the inherent beauty of the materials themselves.

House with a Light Well Yu Architectural Design Studio

This is a small single‑story house with a total floor area of 17 tsubo, located in a residential neighborhood of Ichikawa City. Facing challenging daylighting conditions caused by surrounding taller houses, the design places a double‑height “light well” at the center of the home to deliver natural light to every corner of the interior. Light entering through clerestory windows brings brightness and a sense of spaciousness, creating a compact yet expansive living environment. The exterior employs yakisugi charred‑cedar cladding and a gabled roof, producing an impressive presence that calmly harmonizes with the streetscape. The residence carefully draws out the richness unique to a small single‑story house.

Forest Living KICHI ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

“Forest Living” is a single-story residence situated within a dense forest. The exterior is clad in traditional Japanese yakisugi (charred cedar), whose subdued black finish naturally melds with the surrounding woodland landscape. The building is organized on a single level, with a plan that provides forest views from every room. By experiencing the expanse of greenery through the windows, occupants are afforded a quiet, tranquil mode of living.

Steps V Hirotaka Sato Architects

Although it is a two-story wooden house, its five floor levels gently connect the spaces throughout the home. A void, loft, underfloor storage, and terrace are integrated into the changes in level, creating a rich sense of spaciousness and functionality within a limited volume. By connecting the first floor continuously to the rooftop, the house achieves a cohesive way of living in which the presence and voices of family members naturally reach one another. The exterior walls are clad in yakisugi, while thermal-storage radiant floor heating provides both comfort and energy efficiency.