Design Buy Build Issue 17 2015 | Page 33

To reflect the natural surroundings of the trees and skyline large panes of glass were used. Pebble dashing, sourced from a local beach, was used on the lower walls to give the house a more natural look and feel. Black stacked-paper cladding was also used to create a shadow-effect around the build. Finally, Kebony wood was used in order to further emphasise the natural and organic aspects of the design. For this particular project, Kebony beams of maple and pine wood are cooked with alcohol and pressure, turning their soft wood properties into a hard wood. The result is a beautiful and maintenance-free finish. Overall, the innovative cladding breaks up the house against the natural setting. Developed in Norway, the Kebony technology is an environmentally friendly process, which enhances the properties of sustainable softwood species, such as clear and character grade pines, with a bio-based liquid. The process permanently modifies the wood cell walls giving Kebony premium hardwood characteristics which make it suitable for interior and exterior applications.