SEATTLE AVENUE

Tim Cornell specializes in designing and engineering pole houses which he calls “intelligent modern homes for the 21st century.” Ecologically smart, pole houses trace their beginnings to the indigenous architectures of ancient Africa, Japan and Polynesia.

Based in Hawai’i, Tim has been designing and building durable and attractive custom pole houses since the late 1980s. His key motivations are simplicity, innovative use of eco-friendly materials, harmony, and affordability. His unique structures are able to resist the ravages of hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and the damaging effects of sun, rain, wind and time. Currently there are five construction plans and, of course, you can customize.
Pole Houses use large diameter wood poles to create a skeleton frame that bears the entire load of the home, making both interior and exterior walls moveable without disrupting the structural integrity (making it semi-modular). The poles are bolted to concrete footings and carry the floor girders, roofing rafters and everything in between.

Pole Houses lean towards sustainability in much the same way other “sustainable” prefab homes do. They are intrinsically more eco-friendly because they do not require invasive site-preparation, they are quick to assemble and can be built by local builders using local, renewable materials. The more directly environmental features, such as photovoltaics, wind power, tankless water heating, gray water and composting toilets are all optional, letting you be as green as you want to be.

Tim is working on an off-the-grid design, too. Learn more at www.polehouses.com.