Ancient Japanese technique dresses up this renovated home in upstate New York

Architecture firm <a href="http://alexallenstudio.com/" target="_blank">AlexAllen Studio</a> stripped the exterior of this dilapidated house in New Paltz, New York, and replaced it with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/low-maintenance/" target="_blank">low-maintenance</a> facade that drastically improves the home's energy efficiency using an ancient Japanese building technique.

The owner commissioned AlexAllen Studio to give the structure a make-over and upgrade it with low-maintenance materials.

The original house was designed by architect John Bloodgood in the 1970's.

It was clad in T-111 siding and had no insulation. It needed better mechanical systems, as well as a new roof and windows.

The architects proposed Shou-Sugi Ban wood siding in combination with a more cost effective fiber cement panel.

The wooden siding is manufactured using an ancient Japanese technique that preserves wood by charring its surface.

Bug and rot resistant, the material weathers well over time and requires little maintenance.