Kebony was selected to clad the exterior of an “an innovative and peaceful retreat” on the island of Skåtøy, Norway.

Aptly-named House on an Island, this build combines an intricate timber façade with concrete split-level interiors. Where concrete flooring blurs the divide between the home’s interior and its rocky surroundings, the use of Kebony wood unites the house with adjacent trees which populate the Scandinavian island. In the coming years, the dark brown tones of Kebony will begin to develop a silver patina.

The design brief for the property’s interior was to create a suitable space for both artists to utilise for contemplation and work away from any distractions. Architects Atelier Oslo created a ruin-like structure within the home which comprises an open-plan living space, kitchen, fireplace and a micro-mezzanine level. The grid-like Kebony wood frame works in conjunction with the long glazed walls to scatter sunshine into the house and provide a natural, calm environment for the owners to enjoy in all seasons.

Developed in Norway, Kebony’s technology is an environmentally-friendly process which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the wood with furfuryl alcohol - an agricultural by-product. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical hardwood including high durability, hardness and dimensional stability. Kebony’s ability to withstand all weather conditions made it the ideal material for the exterior cladding of the island project.

Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, said: “Kebony is delighted to have contributed to this beautiful island house.

“We are particularly impressed by its unique grid frame, which has been skilfully designed and would love to revisit this project as the wood adopts its silver-grey patina.”