Case Study _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
of a protected wood species , without compromising on the symbiotic relationship with Kiawah Island ’ s forested habitat .
In addition to its sustainable credentials , the Kebony Clear cladding will also gradually acquire a characteristic silver-gray patina , weathering in a style that , over time , will establish Victory Bay House as permanent , yet intrinsically natural , feature of the Oakland .
The patented Kebony technology permanently transforms sustainably sourced softwood species such as pine into dually modified wood - with features that are comparable , and in some cases superior , to those of endangered tropical hardwoods . The bio-based dual modification process permanently transforms the wood cell walls by forming locked-in furan polymers ; the dimensional stability , durability , and hardness of the wood are all increased , guaranteeing both a long life and a high level of safety .
While hardwoods can take 80-200 years to grow , fast-growing softwoods used for Kebony products grow in as little as 25-30 years , and during the growth of these trees and crops used as raw materials , carbon is captured from the atmosphere , further contributing to
CO 2 sequestration . After applying the Kebony technology , the resulting products provide the most sustainable and long-lasting alternative to endangered tropical hardwoods , eliminating the need for deforestation of the planet ’ s key carbon sinks , and mitigating the effects of climate change by facilitating a significant reduction in global CO 2 emissions within the international building and construction industry .
“ I chose Kebony because it is a modified wood and would have minimal movement for the tight joinery patterns we were after in the exterior of Victory Bay House ,” said Cheslea , “ After over two years in the harsh conditions of the coastal south , the joinery has stayed in place .’’
The project was subsequently named the Winner of the 2022 AIA South Carolina Robert Mills Residential Award . ■
www . kebony . com
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