05-22-2007, 03:50 PM
Many places on the Mainland you can usually use a competent architect and/or structural engineer and use some interesting construction techniques like stacked cord wood, straw bale, rammed earth, post and beam, etc. If a licensed architect or structural PE will sign-off on your plans and assume responsibility, you can usually find a way to do a lot interesting things. But I can't imagine that any of the methods I mentioned, even if materials were available and they were site appropriate, would ever (or certainly easily) be permitted here.
And I agree that the idea of 20' long vertical posts anchored to concrete sort of makes the whole concept of a pole house not very pole houseish... Not to mention a probable construction nightmare.
I personally investigated a very affordable hardwood kit house from Brazil. I've watched them being built there in Brazil and have a good friend in the US that imports them. The construction method is a bit unconventional, but they have been accepted and have been built in places as diverse as Idaho, St. Lucia in the Caribbean, and Europe. The initial reaction from the Building Department was so negative that I said to heck with it. Pick and choose your battles wisely. It wasn't worth the effort that it would have taken me.
You can not get your building permit until you have property to tie it to. So if you want to do something a bit unconventional, take anything anyone tells you about what you can or can not do with a huge grain of salt bearing in mind that the ultimate decider is the Building Department. Building Departments everywhere find it easier and safer to "Just Say NO!" when confronted with something that they are not familiar with.
Cat D's instincts are pretty good about how things will shake out. Even if you find out that your ideas are probably not going to be possible (or simple/affordable), whatever money you spend early on to educate yourself about building here will not be a waste.
And I agree that the idea of 20' long vertical posts anchored to concrete sort of makes the whole concept of a pole house not very pole houseish... Not to mention a probable construction nightmare.
I personally investigated a very affordable hardwood kit house from Brazil. I've watched them being built there in Brazil and have a good friend in the US that imports them. The construction method is a bit unconventional, but they have been accepted and have been built in places as diverse as Idaho, St. Lucia in the Caribbean, and Europe. The initial reaction from the Building Department was so negative that I said to heck with it. Pick and choose your battles wisely. It wasn't worth the effort that it would have taken me.
You can not get your building permit until you have property to tie it to. So if you want to do something a bit unconventional, take anything anyone tells you about what you can or can not do with a huge grain of salt bearing in mind that the ultimate decider is the Building Department. Building Departments everywhere find it easier and safer to "Just Say NO!" when confronted with something that they are not familiar with.
Cat D's instincts are pretty good about how things will shake out. Even if you find out that your ideas are probably not going to be possible (or simple/affordable), whatever money you spend early on to educate yourself about building here will not be a waste.