ESTER’UP in Limoges: charred Accoya cladding

Within the ESTER Technopole in Limoges, two timber-frame buildings named ESTER’UP were built to house innovative young companies from the region. Designed by the practice Architectes Associés (Emmanuel Dutheillet de Lamothe) for the client Seli Limoges, they are clad in 1,050 m² of charred Accoya cladding, produced by Les Brûleurs de Bois using the traditional Japanese Yakisugi method. The RHINO finish, achieved by flame-charring board by board, gives a deep charcoal appearance that does not grey and needs no maintenance. The contrast between the black charred boards and the natural CAMELEON boards, with their rough-sawn effect, gives rhythm to the facades. The cladding is fixed with the concealed NOVLEK® system, allowing boards to be replaced easily. Made locally in Limoges, a UNESCO creative city and the capital of the fire arts, this project combines innovation, contemporary architecture and local roots.