Blog
Chartek + Pentarch Partnership
At Pentarch, we’re a bit obsessed with how timber is treated. The way it’s charred, cooled, brushed and oiled is the difference between “nice cladding” and architecture that genuinely stops people in their tracks. That’s why we partner with Chartek. Chartek is a...
NHC + Pentarch Partnership
At Pentarch Forest Products, we believe beautiful timber deserves an equally thoughtful finish. That’s why we’re proud to shine a light on Duncan and the team at Natural House Company – quiet pioneers who have been putting “timber with a conscience” into practice for...
Pentarch Opens New Zealand’s First Sugi Showroom in Tauranga
Pentarch Forestry has officially opened New Zealand’s first dedicated Sugi showroom in downtown Tauranga – a bold step in bringing Japanese timber innovation directly to local architects, designers and builders. Located in the heart of the CBD, the new Sugi Showroom...
Is Japanese Cedar the Best Timber for yakisugi?
Short answer: yes... Why sugi is the gold standard for charring Short answer: yes—sugi (Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica) is the benchmark for traditional yakisugi. It isn’t the only option, but it consistently delivers the most stable, beautiful, and usable char...
The Original Yakisugi: 13 Things to Know Before You Specify
Yakisugi is the classic deep-char, unbrushed form of sugi (Yaki simply translates as charred or burnt)— Its jet-black tone and ‘Dragon Skin’ surface read as both ancient and graphic, a quiet nod to wabi-sabi: beauty earned by time and use. Before you choose it for a...
What is yakisugi? An Architect’s Guide to Charred Cedar for New Zealand Conditions
Short answer: Yakisugi is a traditional Japanese finish created using the Shou Sugi Ban technique which chars the surface of sugi to create a durable, low-gloss, textured finish. Correctly specified and detailed, it delivers a stable, weather-resistant cladding with...