Wood, steel, stone - choices, choices...

Having put together my initial design based on a timber frame with block walls I have had a few thoughts about redesign myself and been given a few pointers from some local experts that now have me in a bit of a quandary. I've decided to go for smaller, slightly higher horizontal windows on the basis of safety, as the dojo is about 3 floors up, and reducing unnecessary costs where I can. So that will mean a bit more blockwork than before. I'm also thinking about incorporating in some skylights if possible to let more natural light in. But the big question is whether a timber frame will be typhoon proof. My builder says he would use a steel frame due to the length of the beams. He definitely knows his stuff when it comes to construction but I also know that he will often present his preferred option (based on time, cost, hassle, the skills available, etc) as the only option. So do I go with my gut instinct which is to build with timber, a natural beautiful material that I can work with easily, or the steel frame option?? I have to decide this before anything can move forward...

cool xray view of dojo design

The space and the first design

The space...

Its about 12 x 7 metres in total

And my current design (courtesy of Google Sketchup - what a great free tool! thanks Google) looks like this from the road end (north west corner)

And the back view from the south west corner

The design is timber frame based with a simple corrugated steel roof. Red Okinawan tiles look great and would add a very traditional look but require a much steeper pitch to the roof so unfortunately I don't think thats an option as all the power, phone and cable lines come into the house from the west side (the side the dojo is on) just above the existing roof. I will post the 3D design online soon too.

Getting started - welcome!

Its been a long held dream of mine to move to Okinawa, the birthplace of karate (and my wife), to live a life more balanced between family, training and work (and roughly in that order of priority). Finally, after 10 years together in the UK, we decided to make the move and came out to Okinawa to live permanently at the end of August 09'. Having been very fortunate to have a fantastic place to live with a potential space for an attached home dojo I have decided to get stuck in and build it as soon as possible. A dojo is more than just a training space as many martial artists will know very well. Nagamine Shoshin, the founder of Matsubayashi-ryu karate in Okinawa wrote - 'The dojo is the place where courage is fostered and superior human nature is bred through the ecstasy of sweating in hard work. It is the sacred place where the human spirit is polished.' I like that. But the first challenge is building the dojo, which I will document over the next few weeks. I want to build a training hall that both fits purpose and a basic simple esthetic. A space that can evolve and be modified as the training needs evolve. And I've never attempted a build project on this scale before. So its going to be fun!!!