I find this quite funny as from my place in the world (Scandinavia) I see US housing as exactly how you describe houses in Asia. Around here a house that isn't built with double brick walls are hard to find on the market and it is mostly sheds and garages that are built in the US wood framing/panel style.
Edit to add that I'm not saying wood is bad. I love wood houses.
Edit to add that I'm not saying wood is bad. I love wood houses.