The Ideal "Puna" House Design

[nanasohana]

I think I would qualify to respond to this thread because I designed and built a home there 3 years ago, and now, after living in it for nearly 3 years, I have already designed the next house we will be building there. I will start from the bottom and work up with the differences.

first house: post and pier, 4 ft. up
next house: thickened edge reinforced slab...(our age issues with stairs and more conducive to the smaller lot we own).

first house: conventional framing, insulation, double wall, hurricance ties, T 1-ll siding.
next house: the same because of earthquakes..wood gives. I believe with upkeep, T 1-11 is about as good as any other material.

first house: windows per mainland standard, vinyl
next house: more and bigger, vinyl and sliding or french doors
( will make it fill more like you are part of the outside...but able to close off for weather, privacy, bugs and coquis)

first house: 2 bed, 1 bath
next house: 3 bed, 2 bath (people do come visit!)

first house: gable roof, metal
next house: pyramide hip roof, metal

first house: lanai on back
next house: lanai wraps two sides (you really do live out there on
them)

And mold retardant paint always!