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Bart Van Herreweghe, founder of Yakisugi Atelier, passionate about artisanal charred wood and Japanese techniques

Craftsmanship meets innovation

At Yakisugi Atelier, we honor an ancient Japanese tradition and bring it to life in contemporary architecture. Each piece of wood tells a story of fire, transformation, and sustainability.

Bart Van Herreweghe, founder of Yakisugi Atelier, in the workshop with artisanal charred wood

Our story

Yakisugi Atelier was born from a deep fascination with the Japanese woodworking technique Shou Sugi Ban. This ancient method, in which wood is charred in a controlled manner, combines functionality with pure beauty in a way that few other materials can match.

What started as a personal passion has grown into a workshop where craftsmanship is central. We believe in the power of craft, in respecting natural materials, and in creating products that last for generations.

Every project that leaves our workshop carries the soul of traditional craftsmanship, combined with modern techniques and a deep respect for sustainability.

Interview

Interview with Bart Van Herreweghe

As a child, I, Bart Van Herreweghe, already had a fascination with fire. When it was still allowed, burning crooked or bad trees from my father's tree nursery. Playing with flames and their power has always fascinated me. When I later came into contact with Yakisugi, a traditional Japanese technique for charring wood black, I was immediately sold. Combining fire with craftsmanship and sustainability proved to be a perfect match for my passion.

Craftsmanship

Traditional techniques executed with modern precision

Passion

Love for the craft and attention to detail in every project

Quality

High-quality materials and strict quality control

Sustainability

Respect for nature and the future in every decision

The process

From selection to finishing: each piece of Yakisugi goes through a careful process where tradition and innovation go hand in hand.

01

Wood selection

We select only FSC-certified Cryptomeria japonica wood of the highest quality.

02

Charring

The wood is charred in a controlled manner according to traditional Yakisugi methods, finding the perfect balance.

03

Finishing

After charring, the wood is brushed and treated to achieve the desired texture and protection.

04

Quality control

Each piece is inspected and approved before leaving our workshop.

Sustainability

Sustainability Sustainability is not a marketing term for us, but a fundamental value that guides every decision. From material choice to production and delivery.

FSC 100% Certificate - Wood from responsibly managed forests with sustainability guarantee

FSC Certificate

All our wood is FSC 100% certified and comes from sustainably managed forests where responsible forest management is central. This guarantees that for every tree cut down, new ones are planted, biodiversity is preserved, and local communities are supported. We consciously choose Cryptomeria japonica from forests that meet the strictest international standards.

Wood from well-managed forests
Clean Water Global certification - Certified water treatment for environmentally friendly production

Clean Water Global

We ensure that all rinse water after painting or treating your project is processed correctly - fully certified and maximally circular. Through Clean Water Global, we guarantee that no polluted water ends up in the environment. Our natural charring process also makes chemical treatments unnecessary, further minimizing water pollution.

Certified water treatment
Green Deal Local Wood partner - Circular economy and local wood use for sustainable construction

Green Deal "Local Wood"

As a proud partner of the Green Deal "Local Wood", we are committed to promoting the use of local wood in our projects and activities, with attention to ecological, economic, and social added value. We commit to circular economy: Yakisugi wood is fully recyclable, biodegradable, and has a minimal CO₂ footprint thanks to short transport distances and local processing.

Circular economy & local wood

Long lifespan = sustainable

Yakisugi wood lasts 50+ years without chemical treatment. This long lifespan means fewer replacements, less transport, and less waste. Sustainability through timelessness.

The workshop

Our workshop is more than a workplace - it's the place where tradition and innovation meet. Here we transform raw wood into works of art that last for generations.

We work with respect for the material and attention to every detail. Visitors are welcome to see the process and experience the artisanal side of Yakisugi.

Yakisugi Atelier workshop - Stacked charred wooden planks with characteristic crackled texture

Let's work together

Do you have a project in mind? We would love to hear your story and think along with you about the possibilities of Yakisugi for your project.