As the price of metals continue to climb (along with gas prices..ugh...) people are looking for alternatives. While there are a few (fiberglass, component plastics, etc..) the best option in my opinion is concrete. Not only is it a durable material that has an "architectural flare" but it can come in several finishes, be direct buried or base plate mounted and come in sizes from 4 foot tall to over 90 feet. The pole can be standard round and square or architectural (as shown here). 
Not to mention that concrete poles can help your project acheive LEED status by contributing to up to 7 different requirements. Contact a By Design team member for more information...
So the next time your looking for an alternative to steel or aluminum poles, think concrete!
