Pushing boundaries in design and sustainability with Kebony wood
From a remote Island hideaway in Norway to a transformed family home in the Surrey Hills, Kebony, a global leader in the production of sustainable modified wood, was selected to complete some of the most ambitious and striking homes of 2019.
Responding to the growing importance of sustainability and a pressing need for eco-conscious materials in construction, five of the most impressive homes from across Europe have demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainability, without compromising on unique and striking design.
Kings Lea House, Abinger, Dorking
A once traditional 20th Century house deep in the Surrey hills was skilfully transformed by Lees Munday Architects into a contemporary family home. With an extension to give the property a new lease of life, juxtaposed against the original building, the architects selected Kebony to achieve the owner’s vision for a sustainable and family friendly home.
Natural materials and finishes, including stone and timber were selected inside and out for their authenticity and the way they wear in instead of wearing out. Improving the energy efficiency of the house was also paramount for the owner, which was achieved by draught-proofing, enhanced insulation, and the installation of 21 flat black photovoltaic panels on the new kitchen roof.
House on an Island, Skåtøy, Norway
Positioned amongst rough terrain and rocky landscapes on the island of Skåtøy, Norway, sits a remarkable holiday home built by two artists whose vision was to create an innovative and peaceful retreat.
Expertly designed to be in keeping with its natural Nordic surroundings, Kebony was selected to clad the exterior of the property, creating a beautiful and sustainable home which blends delicately into the rugged landscape.
Renowned architects Atelier Oslo created a ruin-like structure within the home which comprises an open-plan living space, kitchen, fireplace and a micro-mezzanine level, and the use of rich Kebony wood unites the house with adjacent trees which populate the Scandinavian island.
Coastal Home, Norway
In Southern Norway, architect Thomas Nesheim’s ambitious new coastal home is the product of unique design and the use of innovative materials. Blending seamlessly into the rugged landscape, the self-build home is characterised by the extensive use of charred Kebony cladding, which creates a striking finish to the rural project. The cladding allows the home to evolve throughout the day, changing colour in different lights and weather conditions and reflecting the stunning Norwegian sky at night. The home is designed to allow large amounts of natural light to spill into the home through the expansive glass windows and doors, whilst fostering the open-plan interior which fulfilled the architect’s brief.
Holiday cottage, Boeslum Strand, Norway
Located in Boeslum Strand, a seaside village in Denmark renowned for its beautiful white beaches and grassy plains, lies a charming holiday cottage which has been carefully designed by local architect, Elin Donskov, to provide a 180° view of the water. Kebony, was selected to clad the facade of the remote summer house, providing an environmentally friendly build with a natural and understated appearance. The use of Kebony cladding helped achieve a silvery, natural external aesthetic with the added benefit of minimum maintenance.
Swedish self-build, Stockholm
Hidden in the pine trees in the rural suburbs of Stockholm, architect Matthew Eastwood of Swedish firm, Tengbom, has tailor-made his very own architectural treasure for his family to enjoy. The architect wanted a natural wood that resembled similar characteristics to the adjacent pine trees for the external cladding, which is why Kebony was selected. Not only does the house blend naturally into its surroundings without causing harm to the fragile environment, the wood is also incredibly resilient to wear and weathering. The house boasts an impressive dining room with glass walls on both sides, creating an airy atmosphere with a spectacular view, whilst incorporating plenty of natural daylight throughout the house and allowing the neighboring forest to feature throughout the interior design.
Developed in Norway, Kebony’s revolutionary technology is an environmentally friendly process which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the wood with furfuryl alcohol – an agricultural by-product. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical hardwood including high durability, hardness and dimensional stability. Kebony’s sustainable credentials and unique aesthetic qualities were the perfect fit for these new homes.
Adrian Pye, International Sales Director at Kebony added: “Looking back at 2019, we are all very proud that Kebony was selected by such a number of leading architects for some of the year’s most exciting residential projects. The wood’s versatility means that Kebony is used across a huge range of buildings and products across the world, and these outstanding projects demonstrate how more and more leading built environment professionals are recognising the importance of sustainability in the realms of construction.”
