Architects often specify Shou Sugi Ban® charred timber cladding as it delivers timeless design. We see it used on heritage restorations and barn conversions where retaining historic integrity is a priority. Equally, it is the material of choice for striking contemporary developments that work in urban settings. To give you a taste of what we mean by timeless design, let’s take a look at three restaurants.
Architecture To Set the Scene
What do a Japanese steakhouse in London, a seafood street food bar in Kent and a retro-style 1970s roadside café have in common? It’s certainly not the food. Although each offers freshly prepared meals, the menu and flavours are quite distinct.
One link is the fact that each wants to give their diners an experience beyond the food. They recognise that the design of the building creates a connection and feeds into the ambience.
Culinary Artistry in Chelsea
In Benihana, Japanese chefs are the main attraction in the high-end London restaurant. The drama of sizzling steak, smoky aromas and action-packed preparation is on view for all diners to see. The kitchen is the stage where you will be wowed. It’s hot, it’s fast and it offers an exciting dining experience to set the senses on fire.
Catch of the Day in Kent
Down in Deal, the traditions of four generations of fishmongers have been given a modern twist. When the current owners of Jenkins & Son moved into new premises in 2024, they incorporated a street food bar. Locally line-caught seafood and fish are now offered in delicious dishes including Monkfish & Avocado Taco, Fish Kofta and Halibut Steak Burger.
Family Diner in Devon
On the other side of the country, Brightside Roadside is recreating childhood nostalgia in the South West. Three new motorway cafés bring a retro vibe as a pit stop for journeys to the coast. The design style is inspired by the past, yet facilitates the needs of modern travellers. As a result, there are electric chargers in the car park and vegan or gluten-free options on the menu.
Serving Up a Design Concept
So, three different restaurants with very distinct styles. Yet, when deciding on the building materials that would evoke the right ambience, each selected Shou Sugi Ban® charred timber cladding.
For Benihana, blackened timber is the ideal material. The charring process, Yakisugi, originated in Japan and this timber preservation technique has been used in construction for decades. What’s more, in the project, the charred timbers were used to create a central focal point in the restaurant. The dark timbers are strong and striking while offering a contrast with the chef’s whites and the flames. It offers the aesthetic of traditional Japanese, yet in a modern setting.
In Jenkins & Sons, the natural grain of timber pillars is enhanced by the charring process. This, along with wooden tables and seating, creates a warm and welcoming entrance. It helps deliver a timeless design to the shop and restaurant. There is a nod to the wooden fishing boats, that they rely on to bring in the key ingredients for their menu. It delivers the feeling of an established family business that could have been trading from the same location for decades.
For Brightside Roadside, it is all about creating the essence of the 1970s. This bygone era is reflected in the interior and exterior design of these restaurants. The architects requested a smooth, grey finish for the exterior timber cladding, which compliments the yellow, red and orange brand colours.
Timeless Design with Timber Cladding
These are just three examples of hospitality venues that we’ve supplied with our range of Shou Sugi Ban® timber cladding. Collectively, they illustrate the versatility of this building material, which blends with a broad range of architectural styles. Whether the desired interior or exterior finish has to reflect rustic charm, historic integrity or sophisticated, modern design, we offer the ideal options.
All Shou Sugi Ban® timbers are responsibly sourced from UK timber merchants and handcrafted in our Buckinghamshire workshop. The charring and finishing processes enhance the resilience of the timber, ensuring it is a long-lasting and low-maintenance solution.
If you are interested in charred timber cladding for your latest project, give us a call 01494 711800 and speak to Cara to find out more and request samples.