Le Temps des Cerises Beach Hotel Pioneers the Use of Tigerwood in Grand Case
Le Temps des Cerises Beach Hotel
Pioneers the Use of Tigerwood in Grand Case
SPECIES FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE: Tigerwood
FIND INFORMATION ON THIS AND ADDITIONAL SPECIES AT WWW.IWPAWOOD.ORG
Grand Case, a tiny town on the western coast of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, is renowned for its long sandy beach, its calm azure waters, and its many restaurants, bistros and lively beach bars.
Le Temps des Cerises Beach Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the center of Grand Case and close to other attractions on the French side of Saint Martin such as the Tropismes Gallery, the Art of St Maarten, and the secluded clothing-optional Happy Bay Beach. The hotel is owned by a French clothing brand of the same name that is known for quality jeans, unique washes and trendy fashions.
Quality and originality are integral to the brand’s DNA and are reflected in every detail of the hotel’s design, décor and service offerings. With its playful beach chic style and whimsical furnishings, the resort has a natural vibe and a relaxed, unstuffy sense of self. To complement its refined yet eclectic character, Tigerwood supplied by Robinson Lumber Company was used both as exterior decking and as interior tongue-and-grooved flooring in the main reception, lounge area and guest rooms.
Tigerwood is known by a variety of names including Muiracatiara, Goncalo Alves, Brazilian Koa, Congo Wood, African Walnut, Courbaril, Bototo, and Zorrowood. It is a durable species with light golden-brown to russet coloring and dramatic longitudinal black and brown streaks. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Tigerwood is naturally resistant to insects, rot, and decay, a vital characteristic in Saint Martin’s salt-sprayed environment. It is a class 4 hardwood in the French classification system, meaning that it is suitable for use in ground or in contact with the ground. Applications of Tigerwood typically have a 30 plus year lifespan without the use of preservatives.
“Given the remote island location, it was important for us to offer a long-term solution for our client,” said Pierre Massenet, Robinson Lumber Company’s Sales Executive for French Overseas Territories. “Tigerwood is naturally durable with no chemical treatment required. It is also naturally resistant to termites and very durable against biological attack in the form of rot and dry wood borers.”
Another reason for the selection of the species was that it was suitable for all applications in the project from both technical and aesthetic standpoints, according to Massenet. In addition to flooring and decking, the Tigerwood was used in wall cladding and in the fabrication of desks and lounge seating. “This simplified sourcing and allowed us to meet the tight delivery deadline so that the hotel could open for the tourist season,” Massenet said. “We were able to get everything to the site on time, and the result is splendid.”
Tigerwood is a traditional species for the wooden creole construction style used in the French West Indies. It has been used for decades in structural applications as well as for cladding and window shutter profiles. However, elsewhere on Saint Martin, Ipé had been the predominant decking material until recently when Le Temps des Cerises’ pioneered the use of Tigerwood in Grand Case. iw
Learn more about the hotel.
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Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used at Le Temps des Cerises Beach Hotel in Grand Case?+
Tigerwood, supplied by Robinson Lumber Company, was used throughout the hotel. It served as exterior decking, interior tongue-and-groove flooring in the reception, lounge and guest rooms, wall cladding, and in the fabrication of desks and lounge seating.
Why is Tigerwood suitable for Caribbean beachfront construction?+
Tigerwood is naturally resistant to insects, rot, and decay, which is vital in Saint Martin's salt-sprayed environment. It is classified as a class 4 hardwood in the French system, suitable for use in or in contact with the ground, and typically has a 30-plus year lifespan without preservatives.
What other names is Tigerwood known by?+
Tigerwood is also known as Muiracatiara, Goncalo Alves, Brazilian Koa, Congo Wood, African Walnut, Courbaril, Bototo, and Zorrowood.
What does Tigerwood look like?+
Tigerwood has light golden-brown to russet coloring with dramatic longitudinal black and brown streaks, giving it a distinctive and aesthetically appealing character.
Why did the hotel choose Tigerwood over Ipé for decking?+
While Ipé had been the predominant decking material elsewhere on Saint Martin, Le Temps des Cerises pioneered the use of Tigerwood in Grand Case because it offered a long-term, naturally durable solution requiring no chemical treatment. It was also suitable for all project applications from both technical and aesthetic standpoints, simplifying sourcing and helping meet the tight delivery deadline.
Is Tigerwood traditional to construction in the French West Indies?+
Yes, Tigerwood is a traditional species for the wooden creole construction style used in the French West Indies. It has been used for decades in structural applications as well as for cladding and window shutter profiles.