Column-to-foundation anchoring. Am I overthinking this?

Hey everyone, new here. Super happy to have found this sub, tons of great resources!

We’re currently building a timber frame house with concrete column foundations. Our contractor and architect (who work together often) are used to using a specific method for anchoring the timber posts to the foundations. Essentially, they bolt a short piece of steel I-beam (sized to match the 24x24 cm laminated spruce columns) into the concrete. Later, they’ll add a layer of shrink-free mortar up to halfway up the I-beam. The timber column is placed on top and secured with four 150 mm construction screws (only one is visible in the picture, the other holes are pre-drilled but not screwed yet). The holes are oversized, so washers are used.

Overall, I’m really happy with how the timber frame is coming together. The carpenter is doing solid work. I'm helping out and learning a lot. But this anchoring method keeps bugging me. It feels like one of those hacks that looks clever at first but might not hold up under extreme conditions, like high winds or an earthquake.

The house won’t be ultra-light (hempcrete walls, tiled roof, partly covered terrace), but it’s also not as heavy as a brick building. My main concern is that each of the 18 columns (on a 5 x 18 m footprint) is effectively only attached with four screws into end grain, sitting against washers on oversized holes. In an extreme storm scenario I can see winds lifting the covered terrace. I asked the contractor about this, and he reassured me that these anchors mainly distribute vertical loads into the concrete, and keep the wood away from moisture. He doesn’t think there’s much concern for shear forces or lateral movement, since the timber frame itself is very rigid.

I’ve read mixed opinions on anchoring. Some say the weight of the house is enough, while others argue that proper anchoring is crucial. I also came across the idea that overly rigid anchors could actually make things worse in the event of an earthquake. That said, most references I’ve checked recommend some sort of horizontal screws or bolts for securing beams.

So, am I just being overly cautious, or are my concerns valid? And given that the timber frame is already well over halfway done, what would be the best way to reinforce these anchors, if needed?

Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!