International Velodrome wooden cladding

5 Fantastic Buildings using Wooden Cladding

In recent years, we’ve seen more and more buildings appearing with timber-clad facades. Whether it’s a magnificent architectural masterpiece or a smaller but perfectly formed family home, wooden cladding is a great way to add a stunning and unique effect to any building.

Here are a few of our favourites from around the world:

1. Pushed Slab, Paris

This impressive seven-storey timber clad office block in Paris’ 13th arrondissement was actually a former rail embankment.  The centre of the building has been opened up to create balconies and to allow people to view another building behind it. This building is clad with timber to create a smooth effect on one side and sharp edges on the other. The large panels of glass in the centre of the building give it a spacious, airy feel.

2. Housing infill, Central London

Infill housing can often feel harsh and claustrophobic. Timber cladding was used on this infill in south London to ‘soften the impact’ of this three-storey block of flats and two-storey semi-detached houses, which were built on an old builder’s yard beside brick council flats. The use of timber cladding on buildings can create a wide range of effects, depending on how it is used.

3. Blackened Timber House, Austria

This Austrian timber-clad house is a great example of how wooden cladding can be used to create a stunning design. The house consists of dark timber cladding on the outside and light timber on the inside, to create what we think is a timber-clad masterpiece.

For an opaque finish, Shed and Fence Paint can be used to protect and enhance wooden cladding. And as it comes in 34 different shades, you’ll be able to choose a colour that fits with your vision.

4. Visitor Centre, Mont Orford National Park

The black-stained cladding on this visitor centre looks stunning against the backdrop of the park and lake. The pale internal cladding contrasts with the dark external cladding to create a stunning visual effect.

5. International Velodrome, London

Arguably, we’ve saved the best until last. This 6,000 seat International Velodrome, built for London 2012, is one of the most impressive wood clad buildings in the world. Clad in 5,000m2 of custom-cut Western Red Cedar shiplap boards, this unique structure was built to emulate the mechanical efficiency and lightness of a bicycle.

International-Velodrome-Pic
Image credit to Sagesolar

More than 1,600 litres of Textrol Oil Clear were applied to the velodrome to protect it against moisture and UV damage and to emphasise the beauty of the natural wood.

Wooden cladding is used throughout the world to create an impressive effect on buildings of all shapes and sizes. By using the right products to protect and enhance, the beauty of wooden cladding can last for many years.

Want to know more about how to protect your wooden cladding? Established for over 70 years and known as the ‘professional’s choice’, Owatrol UK produces a wide range of high quality coatings which offer superior finish and exceptional protection. Get in touch today to find out more.


We hope you found this post on 5 fantastic buildings using wooden cladding helpful. If you have any other advice or top tips, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. We love hearing from you!

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About Owatrol Team

Our team are ready and willing to support you with your requirements whether it is protecting your newly laid deck or renovating a luxury yacht, whatever the application Owatrol has the solution you are looking for.

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