A contemporary "cabin in the woods": the new black Kebony wood adorns the Maison Tricot studio

Scheduled for completion in late 2024, the project offers a subtle reinterpretation of the image of a cabin in the woods, in a contemporary version where architecture, sustainability, and landscape intertwine. The project showcases the brand's latest innovation: stained wood, here in a deep black.

Nestled in the heart of a plot planted with pines, birches, and ferns, the building—both a design studio for the Maison Tricot textile brand and the home of its founders, Ilia and Elke Eckhardt—blends delicately among the existing trees, only a few of which had to be relocated. The slender volume unfolds naturally within the landscape and opens generously onto the forest, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors.

The overall aesthetic is based on a luminous and balanced composition, playing on the simplicity of the volumes and the expressive power of the black Kebony wood. Its deep hue allows the wood grain to show through. The studio and the house, distinct yet connected, engage in a dialogue through light, materials, and silence, creating an atmosphere conducive to reflection and creative work.

A Kebony Clear with a unique dark shade

For the exterior cladding, the architect opted for black Kebony Clear wood, laid vertically in 19 x 105 mm planks. Its brand new dark shade and signature silver patina reflect the spirit of the project: that of a contemporary refuge blending into the forest, particularly poetic at dawn and dusk.

With its deep black hue, reminiscent of the shou sugi ban (charred wood technique), Kebony wood lends the house an elegant, modern, and understated appearance. This shade emphasizes the clean, angular lines of the structure, while allowing the building to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The dark facade mingles with the shadows of the trees and the brown tones of the trunks, creating a subtle camouflage effect. Punctuated by large windows, the house offers a striking contrast to the light-filled interior. The glass surfaces reflect the sun's rays, contributing to the harmonious integration of the building into its environment without ever altering its character.

For Vlaminck Van Wetter: “The image of a cabin in the woods guided the entire project. The appearance of Kebony wood and its natural evolution over time were essential to creating this atmosphere. Beyond its aesthetics, its durability and sustainable production methods perfectly matched our vision for this building, constructed in such a way as to be as climate-neutral as possible.”

Sustainable technology and timeless aesthetics

Developed in Norway, Kebony technology is a patented, environmentally friendly process that modifies sustainably sourced softwood by heating it with a bio-based, organic liquid. By polymerizing the wood's cell walls, the softwood permanently acquires the properties of tropical hardwood, while significantly reducing its environmental impact.

Stable, weather-resistant, and maintenance-free, Kebony wood offers a responsible alternative to exotic woods. It boasts exceptional longevity and an evolving appearance, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the place: a creative haven rooted in nature, serving a brand whose every creation celebrates the material and craftsmanship.