The P-POD

Posted November 30th, 2009 by Christina and filed in Pre-fab, Tiny House Concept
Tags: , , , , , ,
9 Comments

With a nod to Eastern style and philosophy, and an eye on ecologically sound and environmentally sensitive design, Tim Cornell of Polehouses.com has created a tiny house kit that is appropriate for any climate and location. The 576 square foot P-Pod is climatically appropriate, durable and recyclable.

P-POD Exterior

Tim explained that the P-POD housing is a “building system” more than simply a specific house design. His system is a uniquely engineered “kit of parts” and space frame grids, that can be adapted quickly for any and all housing regimes, programs, and designs desired. P-POD units can be stacked 2 or 3 tall, or spread out in any configuration such as townhouses, duplexes, apartment buildings, etc. They are built as a 3-D grid system that simply snaps and locks together fast, enabling a house to be assembled in only hours including the complete foundation system. No infrastructure is required to assemble these homes onsite, such as bulldozers, backhoes, electricity, water or concrete trucks. The P-PODs assemble fast with simple hand wrenches and hand tools.

P-POD Frontview

P-PODs are designed to be 100% off grid, with a 480 watt solar PV electrical system and a solar hot water system included with the kits. The P-PODs are engineered and constructed of steel, with EPS foam bonded to metal studs to create a composite material for floor, wall and roof panels, making them super strong, lightweight, easy to assemble and recyclable. Also, each unit is handicap accessible. Each P-Pod kit is sold for $15,950 with options and systems available for your locale, including:

  • Wind energy
  • Solar photovoltaic
  • Solar hot water systems
  • Passive solar space heating and cooling
  • Tankless hot water
  • Rain water collection
  • Gray water reclamation
  • Ultra low flush and composting toilets

PPOD Views_Page_2 Big

P Pod Core Big

PPOD Views_Page_3Big

If you are interested in a P-Pod or polehouse, Tim and his company will work with you on your customized design with erasable vellum plans for each platform.

Because they can be easily assembled, disassembled and moved by an unskilled labor force, the P-POD is becoming popular in Third World countries. Currently, Tim is working on several projects in Africa, manufacturing and assembling tens of thousands of P-Pods.

P-POD Kit Features

  • Delivered Pre-Fabricated (not pre-assembled)
  • Bolt and Screw Assembly
  • Unique Pin Foundation System
  • Pole House Engineering
  • Open Beam Construction
  • Wind and Seismic Resistant
  • Cantilevered Platform
  • Sliding Glass Doors
  • Polycarbonate Corners
  • Full Surrounding Decks
  • Cedar Plywood Siding
  • Cedar Decking
  • Zinc-Alum Metal Roofing
  • Vented Gable Roof
  • Loft Storage
  • Handicap Accessible

P-POD Kit Options

  • Operable Skylights
  • Solar Electric PV Lighting
  • Solar Water Heating
  • Cedar Shake Roofing

“Housing should provide much more than simple shelter for inhabitants. A home should be instrumental in satisfying spiritual, mental, physical and emotional needs so an individual can be free to explore and expand their full creative and visionary potential.”  ~ Tim Cornell

Inhabitat article on the P-POD

Thanks to Tiny House Blog reader, Brian McClure, for the link to Polehouses.com

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

Similar Posts:

Follow on Facebook and Twitter @TinyHouseBlog and/or @KentGriswold.
Tiny Solar House ad
9 Comments

9 Responses to “The P-POD”

  1. Michael O'Leary says:

    At around $26 a square foot for an off the grid home, this may be the most reasonable and cost effective product I’ve seen on Tinyhouseblog.com so far! I haven’t dug into the details yet but unless there is a surprise lurking in the fine print this is looking like a winner!

  2. Randy says:

    Hmmm, I’m a little confused. The plan shown in this blog is ~500SF but when you visit their website, the smallest house is ~1,000SF. Wonder where they keep the small house plans?

  3. @Randy I’m seeing the P-Pod Kit at the end of the list: 576 platform, 256 interior, 320 decking, 144 loft

    http://www.polehouses.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1&CFID=88982313&CFTOKEN=89107121

  4. Michael O'Leary says:

    In the same safe that Jay uses to store his plans and any other super valuable items?

    LOL – J/K Jay

  5. [...] información en el sitio web de Polehouses. Visto en Tiny House Blog. [...]

  6. This summer we finally completed our floating 16×16 deck using heavy concrete deck piers, which are heavy concrete blocks with a cross cut on top to align and fasten the supporting 2×4s. The deck pier floating deck concept has also been used for some tiny home projects. Our cost about $7 each in Toronto, Canada.

    Some come with a center hole so I guess if one wanted to additionally “pin” one into the ground one could.

    I was thinking that his pins could have a sharp point to each penetration. I was also thinking he might have pins and blocks with threads and additionally screw them into the ground.

    How well does this system work up north on the granite shield in “cottage country”.

  7. Deena Larsen says:

    Just remember folks, this is the KIT. The actual cost of the house includes land, labor, etc. We are figuring this out–but were lucky enough to buy a stnading house we can convert to be an accessible tiny home.

Add Your Photo: To add your photo to your comments just visit Gravatar and upload your photo.

Leave a Reply