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Did You Know?
The Korean Government is planning to build or renovate 1 million energy-efficient homes and equip them with self-sufficient renewable energy sources before 2020, as part of its 60-year Low Carbon Green Growth strategy. The forestry and wood construction industries are working hard to seize this opportunity to expand their markets.
Canada Wood Worldwide News/Media - Japan
Date: Year/Month/Day
- 2009-01-20
- Japan
Primed for Growth: Wooden Senior Facilities Gaining Interest
After sponsoring seven seminars across Japan beginning in February, COFI SPF Group received ten inquires related to construction of senior citizen care projects, kindergartens and hospitals. One inquiry was from an architect planning to build a large 6,500 m² senior citizen care facility in Sagamiyara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. On September 7, COFI SPF Group, Takenaka Corporation, Misawa Home, and Nikkei Health Care co-sponsored the Senior Living Seminar that was attended by 207 senior citizen healthcare professionals from across Japan.
In addition to the seminars, COFI SPF Group placed four advertorials in the Nikkei Health Care Magazine from May to August. These advertorials featured the Meiji-Seiryuen Elderly Care Facility, the largest 2x4 structure (4,469 m²) in Japan.
This wooden facility demonstrates how to construct and run environmentally friendly healthcare care facilities for Japan’s senior citizens. The owner and president of Yoshitaka Architects Engineering & Consultants, Mr. Yoshitaka – who designed and managed the construction of the Meiji-Seiryuen Elderly Care Facility – has begun to construct his second large 2x4 senior citizen care facility in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. The Nursing Home Harukazae (2,094 m²) is scheduled to be completed by March, 2009.
- 2009-01-09
- Japan
WFC Proves Superiority: Shake Table Test Weathers 200% of the Kobe Earthquake
On September 25th Canada Wood conducted a full scale shake table test of a 3 storey post and beam house featuring the use of Canada Tsuga and Canadian OSB structural lumber and sheathing. Conducted at the Public Works Research Institute in Tsukuba City, the event was a culmination of joint research between Japan’s Building Research Institute and the University of British Columbia’s wood sciences department.
The test proved to be an outstanding success as the test specimen was subjected to 150% of the 1995 Kobe JMA earthquake and survived with only minor damage.
The test specimen was then subjected to 200% of the Kobe earthquake and despite some structural damage to the first floor, the house remained intact, demonstrating the superior seismic performance of Canadian structural materials.
The test established a new performance benchmark as 200% of the Kobe earthquake had never before been attempted at the Public Works Research Institute.
The test also proved helpful in validating seismic performance simulation software developed by Dr. Frank Lam and his team at the University of British Columbia.
The event was widely attended by over 170 Japan industry representatives and media. The test has drawn extensive media coverage and has already led to a series of new inquiries for Canada Tsuga from builders aiming to build structures with high seismic performance. As Japanese home buyers rate seismic performance as the number one attribute when considering a home purchase, this test will provide a valuable tool in the marketing of Canada Tsuga and Canadian OSB in Japan.
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