Ipe: The Perfect Complement
"We like to experiment with known materials in unique ways to breathe new life into them," Vetter explains. "Ipe is one of those exotic wood species known for its durability and hardness often used in decking projects and boardwalks. It weathers to a silvery grey and will seemingly last forever. In horizontal applications, it's a perfect spec. But few people take the time to work with this species in vertical applications. We used wide plank Ipe as siding in strategic locations on the exterior of the home. When properly sanded and finished, Ipe has a very expressive grain pattern. It's perfectly natural and the rich oiled finish makes Ipe the perfect complement to all of the other materials."
The modern home has a prairie influence, but is clearly a Vetter design. The copper fascia on the flat roof quickly develops the distinctive blue-green patina and blends nicely with Ipe, gloss-fired brick and granite. While the Ipe siding is a vertical application, the wide planks are run horizontally with a reverse batten to match the thin black profiles of the windows, also running horizontally. The garage doors will also be faced with Ipe, seamlessly matching the siding. "It will appear simply as another wall. Unless the door is open, you would never know there is a garage in there," says Vetter.
Vetter enjoys using exotic and domestic species together. Every square inch of the ceiling in the home is thin plank White Oak extending from the interior to the exterior cantilevered over-hang. The floors are constructed of large sections of granite. "We want the homeowner to transition from the interior to the exterior without an abrupt distinction." The entire materials palette comes together on both the inside of the home and exterior, which includes copper, granite, glazed brick, Ipe and White Oak.
"Ipe makes an encore on the top deck of the boat house and on the unique cantilevered pier," Vetter states. "It's a more traditional application, but the perfect specification. In wet areas and in exterior environments, Ipe has always been my material of choice."
VETTER/DENK ARCHITECTS
Frequently asked questions
Why is Ipe wood used for decking and boardwalks?+
Ipe is an exotic wood species known for its durability and hardness, and it weathers to a silvery grey while seemingly lasting forever. These qualities make it a perfect specification for horizontal applications like decking and boardwalks.
Can Ipe be used as exterior siding on a home?+
Yes, wide plank Ipe can be used as siding in strategic exterior locations. When properly sanded and finished, Ipe reveals a very expressive grain pattern, and a rich oiled finish makes it complement other materials well.
How was Ipe siding installed on the Vetter-designed modern home?+
The wide Ipe planks were run horizontally with a reverse batten to match the thin black horizontal profiles of the windows. The garage doors were also faced with Ipe to seamlessly match the siding, making them appear as just another wall.
What materials were combined with Ipe on the Vetter/Denk home?+
The materials palette includes copper fascia that patinas blue-green, gloss-fired brick, granite, and White Oak. Thin plank White Oak covers the ceiling from interior to exterior cantilevered overhang, and the floors are large sections of granite.
Why is Ipe the preferred wood for wet and exterior environments?+
According to architect Vetter, Ipe has always been his material of choice for wet areas and exterior environments. It was used on the top deck of the boat house and on a cantilevered pier as a traditional, perfect specification.
How does Vetter create a seamless interior-to-exterior transition?+
Vetter uses the same materials continuously across interior and exterior spaces, such as White Oak ceiling planks that extend from inside to the cantilevered overhang outside. The goal is for the homeowner to transition without an abrupt distinction.