from Daizen News, 15 Sep 2011
継 続 は 力 な り
Keizoku wa chikara nari.
Literally: Continuance is power.
Meaning: Just staying the course will generate vigor. Continuing on after a setback is its own kind of strength. Perseverance is power.
“Help Japan” Bonsai event
September 15, 2011 – 9:58 am
from Daizen News, 15 Sep 2011
We continue to seek out opportunities to bring aid to the people of Japan. Six months after the Fukushima disasters, children are afraid of even puddles of water. Amidst the confusion, efforts persist to move vulnerable communities to higher ground and rebuild the fishing industry.
Help us help them, at a spectacular event in Surrey, Saturday, October 1. It’s a bonsai sale, but it’s also a silent auction, multi-performance, bonsai workshop, ikebana workshop, tea service, and opportunity to see other Japan rescue items like the Daizen Joinery torii gates.
The day’s events include the opening ceremony, a Japanese Lion Dance by Rakuichi, Bonsai workshop, Taiko and Koto drum performances by Sansho-Daiko and Kozue Matsumoto, and sign language performance by Tzu-Chi of Canada. Raffles and silent auctions add to the fun, and our fund-raising gates will be there in the flesh (in the fibre?).
Japan Bonsai Garden is hosting the event; co-sponsors so far include Daizen Joinery, Vancouver Rakuichi, Raku Tei Juku, and San Sho. For more information, see www.japanbonsai.com.
Come to Japan Bonsai Garden Art, 16164 24th Ave. in Surrey, on October 1. Drink in the art of Japan and help the Japanese people recover.
Notes from the Global Buyers Mission
September 15, 2011 – 9:53 am
On September 8, Dai talked to architects and engineers at BC Wood’s Global Buyers Mission on wood distortion. He explained the process of how and why timbers twist as well as how to manage and even prevent that twist.
He covered the mechanics of twist (in beam, below) and shear (in pegs, below). Finally, Dai compared the price of kiln-dried timber to that of gluelam, to inform choices for optimal size and length in timber frame design. Of course, he showed plenty of example projects.
The talk went well; by their comments afterwards, the audience seemed to enjoy this vital information.
Why build a hybrid?
September 15, 2011 – 9:45 am
5 reasons to think outside the box
from Daizen News, 15 Sep 2011
First, what is a hybrid? In my world, it’s a building with a mixed structure: some heavy structural timber (say, 20-ft.-long posts and beams that are 6 x 8 in. thick) in it, but it’s not all heavy timber. The rest of the structure is built conventionally—called stud framing, stick framing, or light construction—with 2 x 4-in. lumber.
A hybrid is a challenge for the designer. To build a balanced, cost-effective hybrid, the integration of the two systems is very critical. Technically, a hybrid contains structural timber (perhaps starting with some first-floor ceiling beams that hold up the second floor and expanding ideas for heavy timber from this point); timber accents (like beams that don’t support any weight) are not structural and usually don’t constitute a hybrid.
Now, why build one? Here are 5 reasons:
5. A great use of our precious big-timber resource is to include some big timber in common rooms such as the kitchen or living room, and then use light framing in the rest of the house.
4. Since big timber is, well, big, buildings of all heavy timber, especially residences, may be short on space in small areas like bathrooms or closets. Space may also be tight in small houses. In this case, heavy timber just in common areas makes the best use of space.
3. In renovations (where we are adapting, adding on, and adding ornament to an existing house), a bit of heavy timber—for outside, porch, or entryway accents, or for a big addition wing—can add the wood lover’s touch to a house without rebuilding the whole thing.
2. In hybrid commercial buildings, a good strategy is to use timber in both structure and accents to draw people in—entryway, roof, knee braces, railings, atrium.
1. And the biggest reason: hybrid houses cost less. If budget is a concern for you, consider a hybrid house.
To see more about these hybrids, download our color portfolio. And visit the Daizen website for more information.
Building wisdom 1 Sep 2011
September 12, 2011 – 4:57 pm
“Every house is a quotation out of all forests, and mines, and stone quarries.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
From newsletter, 1 Sep 2011
Dai talks about heavy timber
September 12, 2011 – 4:57 pm
Global Buyers Mission is a 3-day, invitation-only event in Whistler to connect qualified international buyers with Canadian wood product manufacturers.
Dai Ona will speak at it September 8, on the use of heavy timber in public buildings. With structures such as the Joyce Dunn Theatre, Monashee and Sun Peaks ski lodges, Sanbiki Japanese Kitchen, Notch Hill pavilion, Outlook Clubhouse, Playtime Abbotsford, and Best Western Revelstoke, he is something of an expert.
Dai will explore possibilities from the architecture and engineering perspectives. He’ll share sample timber specs, why specifying the proper timber grade is vital, and how best to approach a timber frame design for maximum efficiency.
From the Daizen Newsletter, 1 Sep 2011
Curved wood, walking men, kitchens
September 12, 2011 – 4:56 pm
Daizen’s new portfolio
After much focused inspiration, Daizen announces the birth of its new portfolio, both online and in print. Seventy-six pages (full of enticing illustrations and stories) cover most of Daizen’s projects. Here’s a glimpse.
A unique innovation: custom designed iron fasteners. We fitted structural iron plates onto the timbers with exquisite care and precision.
This detail shows three-piece fasteners secured with metal wedges, as for a wedged wooden mortise and tenon. These iron fasteners represent the client’s two ranch brands. This one is the walking man.
Here you see inlays of the dry fit for the walking man plate. For the finish, the final plates were heated and powder coated.
A series of knee braces are bound in the ranch’s second brand—a cat’s eye—worked in iron.
Download the color portfolio. And visit the Daizen website for more information.
From the Daizen Newsletter, 1 Sep 2011