Actually, I haven't tried building anything yet. I did put a wall light on the opposite side of a wall than intended and that was because I hadn't rotated it properly. Could that be your problem as well?
Turns out it is the Z button. I know I'd tried that earlier, but the darn Z button is so finiky on the GameCube controller. Thanks for making me go back and try them all again. Pieter
On a slightly related note, I picked up The Sims (GC) yesterday, got through a number of tasks in the Get a Life mode, saved, and when I started up today I could only control one of my roommates. End result? My Sim just ate and slept all day, lost his job and the game was over. What happened...