Wood building replaces steel in Japan

 Thursday, August 18, 2022

Japan builders recently replaced steel with fire-resistant wood and ushered in go green craftsmanship. Building construction witnessed alteration as the world adopts sustainable construction approaches. Innovations and technology now advances building development responsibly in Japan.  In order to fight climate change wood has been adopted to build sustainable building and reduce negative impact on nature.

With its sleek modern design, the 44-meter, 11-story Port Plus building stands out even in Yokohama’s posh Naka Ward. But what really sets it apart from other buildings in the neighborhood is that 90% of its structural elements are made with wood.

Built by engineering group Obayashi, the building is an example of how Japan’s leading builders exploring wood as an alternative to steel and concrete – two of the most carbon-intensive materials – as nations look to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon dioxide emissions over the entire life span of the building, from producing the materials to tearing it down, will total about 60% as much as for a steel-frame building of a similar size, Obayashi says. After accounting for the amount of CO2 absorbed by trees used to make the lumber, that footprint shrinks to around a quarter, the company estimates.

Other builders are using hybrid constructions that are cheaper and more resistant to fire. Takenaka and property developer Mitsui Fudosan are planning a 17-story building in central Tokyo’s Nihonbashi neighborhood. By using laminates and other lumber products in 20% to 30% of structural elements, they aim to keep costs at 10% to 15% above that of a conventional steel-frame building.

With bigger buildings, the construction material will get larger as well. Makers of wood processing equipment are rolling out new machines that can handle larger cuts. German supplier Hundegger has started selling saws in Japan capable of cutting up to 610-by-1,300-millimeter sections, compared with an earlier range of up to 300 by 1,300 mm.

“There’s potential for wood materials to become more prevalent, especially for mid-to-high rise buildings and nonresidential buildings,” said Hiroaki Kojima, director of the wood promotion division at Japan’s Forestry Agency.

Tags: building craftsmanship, japan, wood, wood building, Wood Processing, woodworking and manufacturing, woodworking and processing, woodworking industry