I got a copy of "Low Cost Pole Building Construction" by Ralph Wolfe. This type of construction seems to be more of what I'm looking for. I really like the Camp Cabin 1 on page 156. A change of dimensions and the addition of a covered porch would make this design ideal.
I googled on pole house plans but found the results were fairly limited. Polehouses.com had an interesting small cabin design but the extreme cantilevered design off only 4 poles just does not work for me.
Do you folks know of any modern multi-pole house plans for sale that might pass modern code?
Just about anything that is not standard stick frame construction requires an engineer or architect stamp -- you pay them-- to check it out and make sure it will pass the code as an engineered design. Not cheap.
The alternative is to use something you like and are comfortable with in a non-regulated area.
That is not necessarily true. There are pole building standards, just like there are stick built standards. If you buy a pole building kit, it'll be stamped just like a stick frame plan is. You just gotta find out what the local regulating body will require. Just because it's a pole building, doesn't mean it doesn't meet the design codes. In most cases, a pole building has more redundency built into it, than a stick frame building does. This is especially true, if you sheet the pole structure with wood sheeting like a stick frame shear wall system. The system is a little non-conventional for residential construction, but it can be a cost saver in both materials and time.
Here is an online pole building kit supplier. http://www.hansenpolebuildings.com
Southern Pine Council has a post frame construction guide. http://www.southernpine.com/postframe.shtml
Thanks for that, bobtheengineer. :)
I hope this is not too foolish a question.
Are there any architects and/or engineers that associate with this board and work at a reduced rate? Perhaps they would be interested in developing/selling plans?
Not exactly a pole frame, but something that we're considering because of the similar simplicity:
http://www.socketsys.com/index6a92.html?quickSearch=snow+load+tables
They aren't plans either, but rather the engineer-stamped limitations.
Ie, with a gable frame, a 24 foot span and a 40lb snow load, you can set your frames 8' apart.
From there, it's up to you. :)
This site has a plan that we had considered and a friend used. There are some other good ideas on it.
http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/Extension/ExtPubs/PlanList97.htm#House Plans
Jim. for plans, check any of the better known pole barn builders, like Mortons. They have all redrawn plans for residential. Most architects with any experience have also made plans. John has I think, so you might want to PM him. He doesn't care for them very much though. He considers them "Leaky"....and they are. There are ways to eliminate the leaky part, it just takes some thought and extra work.
You might want to look at timber framing too. There isn't much difference and most timber framers also do pole buildings.
As far as passing code....a lot depends on the area and local inspectors office. A lot of them doen't understand them and as a result, don't like them.
That shouldn't matter but....they may require all poles and beams to be engineered. That translates into money. IMHO, in a picky area, your much better off using a traditional timber frame.
I found this site and ordered his CD with plans.
http://home.people.net.au/~jkoch/
It'll be interesting to see what he offers......