Lakeview House: Charwood™ Shou Sugi Ban & AquaFir™ Siding in Lake Chelan

Custom charred Douglas Fir and smooth prefinished accents anchor a contemporary mountain modern retreat.

Set on a hillside overlooking Lake Chelan, Washington, Lakeview House replaces a modest inherited home in one of the lake’s original subdivisions. Designed by Syndicate Smith and constructed by Carlisle Classic Homes, the getaway balances clean modern lines with durable, natural materials chosen for their resonance with Eastern Washington’s rugged terrain.

To ground the home in its landscape while providing long-term resistance to Chelan’s hot summers and snowy winters, the design team specified a dual timber package from Montana Timber Products. Featuring Charwood™ (Shou Sugi Ban) in Ebony alongside smooth AquaFir™ in Yukon, the prefinished Douglas Fir cladding creates a striking visual contrast against Corten rusted steel panels, black-patina steel beams, and cast concrete

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name: Lakeview House

Location: Lake Chelan, Washington

Architect: Syndicate Smith (Principal: Steven Booher | PM: Evan VanSandt | Architectural Designer: Jake Monroe | Interior Designer: Hannah Hering)

Contractor / Builder: Carlisle Classic Homes (Chris Groby)

Structural Engineer: BTL Engineering

Landscape Architect: Sydney Janecek, SCJ Studio

Photographer: Will Austin

PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS

The specification combines charred Shou Sugi Ban siding with warm, smooth prefinished Douglas Fir to establish clear visual zones across the exterior facade, multi-layered roof overhangs, and interior ceilings.

Species & Grade: Douglas Fir #2 Kiln Dried

Product Lines & Colors: Charwood™ Ebony | AquaFir™ Yukon

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

Charwood™ Ebony Shou Sugi Ban Meets Corten Steel

The primary exterior envelope utilizes 1×8 Douglas Fir shiplap in our Charwood™ Ebony finish. Inspired by traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban, our controlled burning process highlights the natural grain pattern while delivering a rich, dark tone. Paired directly with weathered Corten steel plates and black-patina steel accents, the charred wood facade creates a weather-durable shell built for high-exposure lakefront elevations.

Three-Tiered Cascading Soffits in Yukon AquaFir™

To balance the dark, heavy tones of the charred siding and raw steel, Syndicate Smith designed a multi-tiered roof structure featuring three cascading soffit levels lined with smooth 1×6 AquaFir™ Yukon tongue-and-groove boards. The warm golden undertones of the Yukon finish reflect ambient light across the stacked rooflines and highlight the exposed structural framing above.

Indoor-Outdoor Material Continuity

The smooth 1×6 Yukon AquaFir™ T&G cladding does not stop at the exterior wall plane. Passing directly through expansive glass spans, the ceiling paneling extends continuously into the main hallway, living, and dining areas. Tying the interior ceilings to the outdoor soffits softens the transition between inside comfort and the surrounding landscape.

Kiln-Dried Douglas Fir for Lake Chelan’s Seasonal Climate

Lake Chelan’s hot summers and cold, snowy winters make material preparation an important consideration. The Douglas Fir specified for Lakeview House was kiln-dried and factory-prefinished on all sides to help manage moisture exposure and support dimensional stability. These preparation methods contribute to the long-term appearance and performance of the siding, soffits, and interior ceiling applications.

The Synergy of Prefinished Wood Siding and Weathered Metal

Lakeview House illustrates how combining charred timber, prefinished natural wood accents, and raw industrial metals can yield a warm, modern residential retreat. By pairing Syndicate Smith’s thoughtful design with Montana Timber Products’ Charwood™ and AquaFir™, the home offers an enduring sanctuary rooted in the landscape of Lake Chelan.

At Montana Timber Products, we collaborate with architects, builders, and interior designers to supply custom, prefinished wood siding packages across North America. Contact your regional sales representative to request samples or discuss product specifications for your next build.