13 In Sydney Sekisui House has brought the SHAWOOD design to Australia from Japan where more than 50,000 SHAWOOD homes have been built since 1995. The Sydney designs benefit from the years of research and building expertise by Sekisui House that has delivered a staggering 2.2 million dwellings globally over fifty years. A feature of the SHAWOOD home is its milled and glued under pressure laminated timber beams and posts that underpin the design of the house. In Sydney over 250 SHAWOOD homes have been completed priced between $635,000 and $750,000 for a terrace house and between $800,000 and $1.2 million for detached single and double storey homes. The prefabricated homes leak 65 per cent less air than conventional homes which means it is easier to maintain a comfortable temperature. The average SHAWOOD home receives a BASIX rating of 6.5 stars. The homes have large windows to maximise the amount of natural light as well as giving good connections with the outside gardens. SHAWOOD’s key personnel in Sydney are all trained in Japan and certified before becoming operational. Their knowledge of the methods and materials used in SHAWOOD homes ensures that any maintenance required after the construction is completed can be dealt with efficiently. A Sydney version of Sekisui House’s Zero Energy Home (ZEH) is currently being built under the name SHINKA House.