Japanese Pole Structure of Building

Construction

• Japanese pole structures rise above the ground, standing firmly upon stout, vertical wooden posts. Horizontal beams create structural support for the floors and walls. None of the interior walls of a pole structure are load bearing (they do not support the roof or upper floors), allowing tremendous flexibility with the interior construction -- walls can be positioned anywhere, or eliminated entirely. The roof rests upon the corner poles and horizontal beams, and can be constructed of natural or conventional roofing materials.

Climate and Terrain

• Japanese pole structures can be built over ponds or swamps, on steep hillsides or on shifting sand. They withstand extreme climate conditions well, since the entire structure can flex against strong winds or even earthquakes. Pole structures can stand above flood levels. Walls and windows can be insulated for extreme temperatures, or they can be loosely woven to allow balmy trade winds to blow right through them. Pole building design and structure can be adapted to nearly any climate in the world.

Environmental Impact

• The environmental impact of pole structures is much less harmful than a conventional home, mainly because the building site is not bulldozed for a foundation. Holes do need to be dug for the corner posts, but these foundational areas can be artfully worked into the natural landscape. Less materials are needed for construction, further lowering the environmental impact. Moreover, the time needed for construction is shorter, meaning the worker-hours spent trampling ground and moving materials are substantially fewer than with a conventional home building project.

Typical Construction Method

• The vertical posts are often planted into holes that are dug into the ground, or they can be set upon concrete footings. Horizontal beams are bolted to the posts, and flooring is fastened to these beams. Optionally additional floors can be added above. Wooden stairs may be added either to external decks or landings, or built into the interior of the structure. Exterior and interior walls may be added using a wide variety of conventional or unconventional methods. Horizontal beams are bolted to the top of the posts to create a base for a ridged roof. Conventional electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems can also be added if desired.