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Brendan Callander, wooden shed, Woodlands Community Garden, Vancouver, charring, Shou Sugi Ban, burnt wood, lattice, Shou Sugi Ban, Air quality, Architecture, Green Materials, Daylighting,

The Woodlands Community Garden shed is surrounded by raised vegetable beds. It was crafted entirely from cedar wood with an angled roof that forms a puzzling lattice. This way, cool breezes and natural light can flow in freely to make the interiors cool and bright.

The dark wooden walls have been through a controlled burning process called charring, or Shou Sugi Ban in Japan. A chemical-free process, it makes the wood resistant to rot, fungi and fire without the need of a finishing. Oddly shaped, the communal shed’s unique design prevents shadows being cast on surrounding garden plots allowing more sunshine for the vegetables.

+ Brendan Callander

Photos by Brendan Callander