Habitat for Humanity
The hands that will reach across the Pacific Ocean to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Tacoma resulted from a chance visit to last year's Puyallup Fair.
The link is Tod Sakai, who made the trip to the fair. Sakai, born and raised in Japan, trains Japanese builders in how to work with materials from Armstrong Homes of Auburn, where he is general manager.
Armstrong used to disassemble the home into pre-built panels of sections after the annual seminars. But when Sakai discovered the fair's Habitat booth, he thought of two things: Rather than learn American building techniques on an Auburn back lot, the Japanese students could actually build a home for a needy family. At the same time, they could experience the fulfillment of volunteering that Sakai said is less frequent in Japan than the United States.
"I just didn't think it made sense to tear the house down after the class," Sakai said. "It was better to donate the house to a family. It's a win-win situation."
Sakai is hoping the partnership between Japan and Habitat for Humanity will be long lasting. As long as he has interested students, Sakai said he will work to arrange for a Japanese crew to build a Habitat home every year in the Puget Sound region.
Armstrong has been host for the seminar for six years as Japanese builders have become interested in construction techniques that better withstand earthquakes.
Sakai sees his program as a productive partnership of Japan and the Puget Sound region.
The students get hands-on training building a real home.
"And I don't have to let the model go to waste anymore," Sakai said.
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Staff writer Jim Szymanski covers real estate. Reach him at 253- 597-8653 or jim.szymanski@mail.tribnet.com.
Credit: The News Tribune
Armstrong used to disassemble the home into pre-built panels of sections after the annual seminars. But when [Tod Sakai] discovered the fair's Habitat booth, he thought of two things: Rather than learn American building techniques on an Auburn back lot, the Japanese students could actually build a home for a needy family. At the same time, they could experience the fulfillment of volunteering that Sakai said is less frequent in Japan than the United States.