Sentosa Cove bungalow gets charred timber makeover using Japanese shou sugi ban technique

An ageing waterfront bungalow in Sentosa Cove has been transformed with shou sugi ban, a Japanese technique of charring timber. Architect Pan Yi Cheng of Type0 Architecture proposed the method to create a cohesive, durable facade for the 20-year-old property.

An ageing waterfront bungalow in Sentosa Cove has been given a new skin using shou sugi ban, the traditional Japanese technique of charring timber. Architect Pan Yi Cheng, founder of Type0 Architecture, proposed the method to replace what he described as a mishmash of deteriorating materials on the roughly 20-year-old house.

“There was reinforced concrete mixed with a lot of timber that was deteriorating. We hacked those away, keeping only the structural beams and columns,” said Pan. Panels of charred Accoya timber, supplied by Calvary Carpentry, now wrap the existing structure in a grid, providing what Pan called “an entirely new architectural language is both practical and sustainable”. Accoya is acetylated wood engineered for greater durability and resistance to moisture.

Pan was initially unsure whether the homeowner would agree to a “black” house. “He’s more adventurous than I am. When we showed him the charred timber, he was okay with it,” said the architect. The homeowner, a professional in his early 30s who wished to remain unnamed, said he wanted a calm and understated design. “I wasn’t interested in something fashionable or overly decorative. I wanted the design itself to define the experience of living in the house,” he said.

The renovation also adjusted the layout for a more seamless flow. “We made it more open,” said Pan. Near the entrance, a bar counter overlooks the patio, swimming pool and a bonsai; guests can move easily into the dining and living areas, which flank the patio like glass pavilions. On the second storey, the master bedroom was altered after the false ceiling was removed, creating a double-volume space with a curved roof and a spiral staircase leading to a private lounge.

Asked how shou sugi ban compared in cost to other materials, Pan said: “It is cheaper than stone. But compared to tropical hardwood, it is slightly more expensive.” He expressed concern about timber from sources with poorly enforced forestry regulations. “You don't know if you are contributing to deforestation by illegal loggers,” said Pan, who prefers authentic materials over wood-look aluminium substitutes.

The homeowner, who has visited Japan several times, cited the country’s restraint as an influence. “There was a quiet confidence in the way the materials are used and how the spaces are composed,” he said. He chose Sentosa Cove for its “surprisingly peaceful” atmosphere. “Being surrounded by water changes the atmosphere completely,” he added.