About us
About Studio Tsukuru: Melbourne’s Yakisugi Specialists Since 1974
Studio Tsukuru was founded on a single purpose: to bring the beauty and resilience of Japan’s traditional Yakisugi timber to Australian design.
For more than five decades, our partners in Japan have perfected the art of charring cedar to protect and enhance its natural character. Today, Studio Tsukuru continues that heritage, refining and finishing authentic Shou Sugi Ban timber in Melbourne for modern Australian architecture.
The Yakisugi Tradition
Yakisugi, also known as Shou Sugi Ban, is a centuries-old Japanese technique of charring cedar timber to create a naturally durable surface.
By carbonising the outer layer, Yakisugi gives soft cedar a hardened protective surface against sun and rain. The process seals the surface of the wood and slows moisture uptake.
This ancient method is valued not only for its performance but for its aesthetic depth, rich textures, dark tones, and subtle variations that make each board unique.
Our Legacy Since 1974
Our story began in Japan in 1974 when one of the country’s leading timber producers pioneered industrial-scale Yakisugi manufacturing.
From those roots, Studio Tsukuru was established in Melbourne to connect Japan’s timber artisans with Australian architects and builders. Every piece of Yakisugi we supply is crafted in Japan, refined locally, and supported by our technical team to ensure outstanding quality and project performance.
Timeline Highlight:
- 1974: Yakisugi production established in Japan
- 2010: Global recognition for Shou Sugi Ban innovation
- 2023: Studio Tsukuru founded in Melbourne, Australia
Designed in Melbourne for Australian Conditions
While our craft is Japanese, our approach is deeply Australian.
Studio Tsukuru adapts every Yakisugi product to suit Australia’s environment, from intense UV exposure to coastal humidity. Our finishes and coatings are developed to perform under local building conditions while maintaining the beauty of traditional Japanese cedar.
We work closely with architects, builders, and designers to specify the right finish, profile, and texture for each project, ensuring a seamless integration of form and function.
“Authentic Japanese craft with local precision. That balance defines everything we create.”
Projects Featuring Yakisugi Cladding
Explore our portfolio of yakisugi projects across Australia, showcasing the versatility and beauty of traditional Japanese charred timber techniques in contemporary Australian architecture.
Hakuu House
Completed in 2022, this Japanese timber construction is clad in Hakuu yakisugi, burnt and brushed with a black oil coating. About this project Hakuu House carries the finish it is named after across a full gable, under a band of timber-mullioned glazing with a slatted vent tucked into the ridge. Below the glass,…
Thailand House
Traditional residence; Modern Yakisugi About this project An elevated cabin in Thailand, clad vertically in Sumii yakisugi in a warm brown tone. The build sits on concrete piers clear of the ground, with black-framed windows and a pale timber veranda closing one end. Sumii is the hard-brushed finish with the widest colour range, which is…
Naturally
Pure and unadulterated black beauty. About this project Photographed in Chile, this project sets unbrushed Hakuu yakisugi against weathered corten steel: two materials that carry their surface history openly. At close range the alligator-textured char reads almost like fabric. Hakuu is the traditional finish, the char left intact rather than brushed back. It is the…
Start Your Project with Studio Tsukuru
Ready to specify authentic Yakisugi timber cladding for your next build?
Contact our Melbourne team for samples, quotes or expert project advice.