Earlier this year, builder Tom
Ossinger of Nordevin Inc., in
Puyallup, Wash., got a demanding
assignment: Go to Japan and build a
32,000-square-foot, 27-unit building
out of wood, three stories tall. The
structure, which was contracted by
the American Plywood Association
and dubbed the "Super House,"
would also have to bear the burden
of proving to Japanese code officials
that American-style wood-frame
buildings can withstand earthquakes
and fires.
Getting a Foot in the Door
In the United States, of course, a
three-story wood-frame building is
no big deal. But in Japan, earthquake
and fire are major concerns,
and Japanese codes, which are overseen
by the Japanese Ministry of
Construction (MOC), have long
prohibited wood-frame structures
over two stories high — tremendously
frustrating the American
wood