Copake Lake Residence  – Copake, NY
DETAILS

Architect:
Desai Chia 

Builder:
Bill Stratton Building Company

Photography:
Paul Warchol Photography

Location:
Copake, NY

Publications:
arch daily feature 

Exterior Cladding:

IRUKA shou sugi ban charred Cypress
Select grade
Burnt on face only, sealed all 4 sides (exterior)
Solid +/- 13/16” thick x +/- 7-1/4” wide x 6′-16′ random lengths
S4S

Volumetric cantilevers clad in shou sugi ban are perfectly situated on Copake Lake, surrounded by mature oak trees. The home’s architecture takes advantage of the surrounding landscape, with a well-thought-out blend of indoor and outdoor space that provides a quiet sanctuary away from city life. The expansive windows are a gateway to the views of the lake, allowing natural light to shine throughout the home. The exterior features reSAWN TIMBER co.’s IRUKA shou sugi ban charred Cypress. The charred Cypress and exposed concrete plinth provide a neutral design palette that pops with the surrounding landscapes.

Desai Chia specified IRUKA on a previous project and was familiar and keen with the material. They were looking for a weathered grey material from the start to see consistency on all sides of the building. They chose to install IRUKA in a reverse board and batten application to give depth to the cladding. Shou sugi ban Cypress provided the look, tonality, and texture desired. IRUKA was the perfect specification for this project.

Cypress is notable for its color consistency, density, and hardness. The oils in Cypress’ heartwood make it one of the most durable woods when exposed to moisture conditions causing decay. Charring adds an extra layer of protection to the wood’s structural durability. The shou sugi ban process carbonizes the wood’s surface and creates an outer char layer that protects against rot, insects, and moisture-related decay in exterior applications. reSAWN takes great pride in designing products on high-performance, stable domestic softwoods, and contemporary modified woods.

Katherine Chia FAIA and Arjun Desai AIA are the founding principals of Desai Chia Architecture. Since 1996, they have established the firm’s reputation for authentic design, creating inspiring environments expressive of their use and materials; Desai Chia’s portfolio includes cultural, residential, and commercial projects as well as commissions for product design and collaborations with artists. Their architecture celebrates conceptually bold design, deliberate eloquence, and graceful simplicity in order to better our collective experiences of space and place-making.

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