November 9th

We had a meeting at the house to review various details with the architect and builder.

We were happy to see that the windows and glass doors were beginning to be installed.

We're using YKKap Windows, which is one of the largest makers in Japan. Japanese windows are almost entirely manufactured from aluminum. This makes them quite strong but cold. So we wanted to use windows which have a PVC layer to stop temperature transfer. No fancy coatings or gas between the panes, though.

The windows are white on the inside to match our walls and black on the exterior to match the siding.

This is the window in the stairwell.

The sash and fixed window (door size) in the studio, ready for installation.

This is the fixed window, with three panels, which goes above the sliding glass doors in the living room.

As seen here from the outside.

I wanted to climb up to the roof to get a view of the exterior material and chimney. This will be my only chance to get this close up view.

These aluminum panels are 30cm by 12 meters. Our builder said he broke several traffic laws bringing such long pieces to the house site!

Here is an unusual view looking up at the chimney box from inside.

We also decided on the location of our air conditioning units. Here we are in the studio.

Our builder brought out a special box, we weren't sure what to expect...In fact this is the stainless hardware which will hold the glass panels and doors in the bathroom/lavatory.

The roof

The roof is about done!

We're using the same material for the roof that we will use for the siding of the house. It's a type of wide galvanized aluminum. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find a vantage point to get a good view of it.

The roof was installed at the same as the chimney box. Here is what it looks like from the inside.

November 7

Work is moving forward at a good pace.

We were very happy to receive our 20 foot shipping container which sailed out of America 3.5 months ago. Since our road is too narrow for the container and the truck, we had some help bringing the items over to our garage.

We're pretty sure everything is there (hard to tell).

Luckily our garage has plenty of storage space to keep our things until we move to the new house. We're excited about our BBQ set, furniture and all of my tools, also our kitchen cabinet and sink and dining table....and more...yay!

And the same day the flooring arrived from China. I was worried that the actual wood wouldn't match the samples, but it looks very close.

We have decided to use a random looking 1/3 layout. We will be there to supervise when the flooring gets installed shortly.

More materials have arrived, including insulation. Also a big scaffold for the interior work.

The wood stove and chimney company arrived to put in the chimney box on the roof. They wanted to coordinate this step while the roofing material was being installed.

We're continuing to look into paint. Our thinking at this point is to use Sherwin Williams primer and bathroom paint. We will still use the natural paint from Kreidezeit for most of the interior, but we also want to use Farrow and Ball paints for a contrasting wall in our bedroom and Motoki's room.
Mo enjoyed looking at the samples and choosing a color.

Beginning of November

Work continues (even though it was a Saturday, and a National Holiday).

The Velux skylight has been installed in the studio.

Here is what it looks like from the living room, with Yoko and Motoki for scale. The window is not blue, that's from the tarp on the roof, but it does have a protective mesh layer embedded in the glass which the builder said was required.

A hole has been put in for the wood stove. Part of the chimney will be installed next week when the aluminum panels for the roof go on.

 Here is a close-up of the brackets to brace the wood structure. Pretty sturdy.

Plaster-board was also beginning to be installed on the exterior of the house.

Here is a complete album of the framing.

More Framing

All of the main posts and beams have been installed and bolted down. The roof has also been put on.

We were happy to see that two cars can park in front of the house.

There were two workers putting in the bracing for the framing with two by fours.

A couple of shots looking at the ceilings and post and beams.

The corners of the house also use steel braces.

Yoko and I took a little walk and discovered a short cut for Motoki to his new school. It's a beautiful path over the hill through orchards and a bamboo forest.

We also got a nice view of our house from across the pond. It certainly stands out. We wonder what the neighbors will think when it's covered in black aluminum siding!

We spent a few hours with the builder and architect deciding on final window placement. Here Yoko is discussing the skylight placement in the studio, we eventually decided it should go in the middle of the room.

Shipping Update

Our 20 foot container has arrived in Japan!
It still has to clear customs, but we're happy that it made the journey.

Also our wood flooring from China has arrived in the port and should also be coming soon.

The company sent some pictures of our wood after manufacturing, it looks really good.

We liked the grain of oak the best and wanted a light grey for the first floor.

The second floor will have white oak flooring.

Choosing Paint

Nearly all Japanese structures use wallpaper rather than paint.
The reasons being the high susceptibility of cracking and the easy coverage and cleaning of wallpaper.

We prefer to use paint, so were interested in what natural options are available in Japan. Yoko came across a company which distributes a German product called Kreidezeit. It comes as a powder which is mixed with water, the price is very reasonable. So we contacted the representative in Japan. She came to Okayama and showed us how to mix the paint and we tested it out.

Once mixed it should have the consistency of 'melted ice-cream'.

It can be applied with a regular roller.

We like that is is 100% natural and think it will be a good paint for our house.

I'm worried about doing all the plastering work and painting myself, and hope that no cracks will develop...Otherwise it will be wallpaper time!