Why the Exterior Carries the Weight During countless projects in rural Japan, I often pause in front of a building and marvel at how the outer shell can bear so much weight. Unlike conventional structures that rely on internal frames, stressed skin designs make the
The Heartbeat of Everyday Life Walking into a kitchen for me is like stepping into the pulse of a home. It’s where mornings begin with the ritual of coffee, where sunlight hits the counter just right as someone chops vegetables, and where the air carries
The switch that talks back Walk into a Japanese home on a rainy evening, and you might spot a dim orange glow by the door. That’s no decoration. It’s a pilot switch, quietly letting you know that something’s on—usually a light outside or in a
The saw that lives on your bench When I set up for a job — whether it’s a backwoods cabin with no electricity or a tidy urban reno — one of the first tools I reach for is my miter saw. It’s the kind of
Coal’s Dusty Secret I’ve worked near power stations, and I’ve seen the piles — dull gray, soft as talc, stretching like dunes behind chain-link fences. That’s fly ash, the fine powder drifting up chimneys when coal is burned for electricity. There’s also bottom ash, which
Why I Switched to Composite Decking The truth about decks and Northwest weather Where I live, the rain doesn’t just fall — it soaks, sits, and slowly eats away at whatever it touches. Over the years, I’ve seen more decks rot from the inside out
What Happens When You Wrap a Rope If you’ve ever wrapped a rope around a tree stump to stop a boat, you already know belt friction—whether or not you’ve heard the name. It’s what makes it possible for a skinny rope to hold back a
Why I Still Love Drywall There’s something humble about drywall. It’s not glamorous. It doesn’t sparkle. It’s not even all that interesting to look at when it’s done — just a flat wall, ready for someone else’s paint. But that’s the point. Drywall is the
Sketches on Shelter and Sense For most of us, a home is more than a structure — it’s a long-term companion. It holds our work, sleep, silence, and noise. And when you’re building it yourself or choosing one to buy, every detail becomes personal. I’ve
Creating Kitchens That Work and Feel Alive 
Designing Light yet Strong: Stressed Skin Explained 
The Simple Physics Behind Holding Loads 
Transforming a Room with Wood Veneer Ceilings 
Solar Power in Japan: The Tax Reality 
Flooring Installation: How to Perfect Layout and Joints 
What Pilot Switches in Japan Can Teach