Here in this ancient country of temples and teahouses, the post and beam timber frame structure has long been the custom. Now, thanks to architects like Yuji Noga, Western methods and materials are on the rise in the land of the rising sun. "In designing this showroom/restaurant/office building, we used masonry construction and imported many Western ingredients," said Noga. Indeed! He used brick from England, lumber from Oregon. And windows from America's largest window maker. "We wanted to try Andersen® windows for commercial use," said Noga. "Andersen supplied us with the products and engineering data we needed. The wood interiors of their windows worked well with the masonry structure. I felt there was a natural harmony between the two."

And the engineering? "Osaka city building codes are very strict," continued Noga. "Andersen Corporation's wind loading and other performance data helped us install the three-story Andersen curtainwalls securely and aesthetically." Andersen window materials' compatibility, structural integrity and commercial viability are solutions worth remembering, whichever hemisphere you design in.