Off base housing floor plans?

[coldnoodles]

I was wondering if there is anywhere I can get floor plans for Japanese houses? I found several houses we like here and are planing on finding builders back in the states to build them. I do look at some Japanese books/magazines that have pictures of houses, but I looking for something more in detail.

Also if I take pics of people houses, do I need to ask them before I take mass pics or not? I would love to go inside a Japanese house to get ideas.. Does anyone know how I can get floor plans or what do I need to do?

[socalheart]

Would city hall records have that info available to the public?
:confused:

[Muku]

There really is nothing special about the housing plans here. The majority of houses here are squares interboxed with different size squares inside. If one was interested in finding information about housing plans, go to either and architects office or a housing agency they should have the information one may want.

It is nearly 100% steel reinforced concrete. Might be great for Florida or someother location that gets hurricanes but forget about it for cold weather locations.


Also if I take pics of people houses, do I need to ask them before I take mass pics or not?
How would you feel if some "foreigner" started taking mass pics around your dwelling?

Using common sense here is your best bet, however if you still dont know the answer, then yes you should ask.

I would love to go inside a Japanese house to get ideas..
Then you need to go to mainland Japan, because the architecture here is unique to Okinawa due to weather conditions. There are few, if any Japanese style homes here in Okinawa.

[coldnoodles]

architects office - I would need to find someone to speak Japanese for me or do they speak English? How can I find out how much would it cost for an architect here to deisgn my house for stateside? How do I find one?

For my pics of houses, I usually use my bazooka lenses!

[Muku]

How can I find out how much would it cost for an architect here to deisgn my house for stateside? How do I find one?

First step, check a phone book, and odds are no they dont speak English.

So the obvious answer would be you need to have someone that could speak both languages to translate for you.

[TheNoNamedOne]

architects office - I would need to find someone to speak Japanese for me or do they speak English? How can I find out how much would it cost for an architect here to deisgn my house for stateside? How do I find one?

I think they will respectfully refuse you, CN. They would want to know about buidling regs and codes as they design it and I think they may view it as more of a liability risk.

Now, if you were speaking of a multistoried huge office complex, they would probably take on the project gladly for the profit margin would be huge. But, for a residential house, I don't think they will.

But I could be wrong. Good luck.

Other than that, sorry I don't have info for you and it seems like I am throwing water on it. Just my thoughts off the top of my head.

[Muku]

I think they will respectfully refuse you, CN. They would want to know about buidling regs and codes as they design it and I think they may view it as more of a liability risk.

Now, if you were speaking of a multistoried huge office complex, they would probably take on the project gladly for the profit margin would be huge. But, for a residential house, I don't think they will.

But I could be wrong. Good luck.

Other than that, sorry I don't have info for you and it seems like I am throwing water on it. Just my thoughts off the top of my head.
I had written a longer reply as well with some of what you had written here. My point was going to be more along the lines of blueprints and all the hassles of needing to get them translated. Not to mention the differences in metric and inch, electrical, plumbing and trying to find a contractor that can read Japanese, plus do the conversions as well.

But then I thought, designs and blueprints are different so.

[coldnoodles]

Thats ok, guys I was just checking...

I already have a guy in the states that does architect in mainland Japan and in Hong Kong, He just asked me if I could get some floor plans that interest me to help him be creative like me!!!

I was just hoping I could get lucky with a japanese guy to show me some floor plans or something! (You perverted guys stop thinking)

[Muku]

For my pics of houses, I usually use my bazooka lenses!

Oh btw why did you ask about taking pics in the first place if you are going to take them anyway?

And fyi, if somebody calls the Japanese police on you before I take mass pics dont be too surprised. I swear if I saw anyone taking mass pics of where I live I would be calling 110 in no time flat.

Ask first just to be safe, neighborly and polite. Good manners go a long way with just about everyone on the planet you know.