Located in Southern India, Mysuru’s tropical savanna climate presents unique challenges for building design, where a façade must perform across distinct seasons, from hot summers to monsoon rains. For Bram Woodcrafting Studio in Mysuru, western red cedar from British Columbia proved to be the ideal material to meet these challenges.
Led by Bram Rouws, an accomplished carpenter and furniture designer, Bram Woodcrafting Studio envisioned a unique and sustainable solution for the west-facing façade of their primary office. They designed 60 individual pivotable panels, measuring eight feet in height, to function as dynamic weather screens. The objective was to create a feature that regulates solar exposure, enhance natural ventilation, and contribute to the aesthetics of the building.
The selection of western red cedar was deliberate and well-substantiated.
“For this project, western red cedar was our first and only choice.”
– Bram Rouws
Western red cedar offers natural resistance to decay and insect damage, a key attribute for outdoor installations. Its lightweight nature combined with dimensional stability ensured the panels could pivot smoothly and maintain functionality. The wood’s rich, chocolate brownish hue, pleasant aroma (particularly when exposed to rain), and capacity to cast beautiful patterns indoors, significantly contributed to the creation of a warm and inviting office environment. Additionally, western red cedar naturally resists UV degradation and ages gracefully which allowed for the wood to remain untreated, embracing its evolving character over time. While other wood species such as white oak and teak are commonly employed for similar projects, Rouws believes western red cedar warrants greater consideration given its versatility and performance.
Since 2018, FII India (known in-market as Canadian Wood) has built a strong relationship with Rouws, resulting in numerous customer projects using BC wood species. For this specific demonstration project, FII India helped source the western red cedar and provided technical support in its application.
“Working with Canadian Wood was a smooth and positive experience. We are truly grateful for their support on this project.”
– Bram Rouws
Because western red cedar’s properties for external applications are relatively new to this market, FII India needed to educate the design team. Given Bram Woodcrafting Studio’s reputation for creative artistry and its clientele of high-net-worth individuals and architects, this demonstration project prominently highlights the species’ capabilities.
The success of this project has already yielded positive commercial outcomes. Bram Woodcrafting Studio is part of the Vagh group, a well-regarded wood products manufacturing company. Inspired by this project, another company within the group recently opted to purchase a container of western red cedar from BC.
