Posted by Gordon Anderson on July 18, 2002 at 19:45:28:In Reply to: ArchWeek - Working Steel posted by Kevin Matthews on July 18, 2002 at 00:12:53:
this type of panel construction is typical here in Japan. Most new houses are prefabricated and delivered to the site in nearly finished condition. Cladding, windows and interior finish are often already fixed to the panels. Cementitious panels ( like Hardi-panel) are usually used for the exterior, they are thin but embossed to look like masonry. Fire resistance is a major concern, as Japanese houses are extremely close together.
Misawa, Panahome (panasonic/Matsushita) Sekisui and Toyota sell houses like cars or appliances. There are model houses all over, and often you see a group together like an auto mall, with a childrens play area and kiosk of vending machines.
I live in a one-year old factory built Misawa home. Under the skin and interior finish it is basically a traditional Japanese post and beam structure, on a 900mm grid. The structure was erected in a day. There is very little insulation or thermal breaks. This nearly new modern looking house has aluminum windows and doors and single pane glass. The owner wanted to save money, and the builder was happy to accomodate them. A better business paractice would be to refuse to sell windows that will damage the house. Moisture from condensation will get into the structure around the windows. people here are used to fogged up or frosted windows in the winter. Again no thermal breaks! The crawl space is heavily vented (basements are rare, except for archtect designed custom houses) so the poorly insulated floors are cold in winter. These are "features"!
Used buildings are considered a liability here. I have seen perfectly good small steel and concrete building torn down and replaced by similar buildings.
I could go on, if anyone has any questions . . .
|
ArchitectureWeek
Search
Buildings
Architects
Types
Places
Pix
Free 3D Models
Store
Library
|