Architecture
Stilt Houses: 10 Reasons to Get Your House Off the Ground
We're raising the stakes with 10 houses you can really look up to
Stilt houses are nothing new, dating back to prehistoric times and seen in a variety of forms worldwide. But what is new is the innovative and diverse ways in which they are designed and built. Well suited to Australia’s coastal regions and sub-tropical climates, stilt houses protect against foods, maximise views, and allow house owners to build over rocky, steep or unstable land. They also serve to keep animals or vermin out, provide ventilation under the house, and minimise the footprint of the house on the earth.
Here are 10 houses raised on wooden, steel, or concrete posts or pillars that give good reason why you should take your house to the next level.
Here are 10 houses raised on wooden, steel, or concrete posts or pillars that give good reason why you should take your house to the next level.
2. To build on an unstable foundation
On a sandy dune in Fraser Island, this stilt house makes the most of sea views. The wooden poles are driven deep into the soil below the sand, anchoring the house to the ground and ensuring maximum stability.
A curved roof mimics this slope, while the platforms upon which the house is built imitate the deck of a yacht or cruise ship.
On a sandy dune in Fraser Island, this stilt house makes the most of sea views. The wooden poles are driven deep into the soil below the sand, anchoring the house to the ground and ensuring maximum stability.
A curved roof mimics this slope, while the platforms upon which the house is built imitate the deck of a yacht or cruise ship.
3. To build on a steep coastal site
This two-bedroom holiday house sits on a steep coastal site overlooking Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. While the house follows the slope of the land, steel posts elevate it above ground. This allows for a minimal footprint on the ground and magnificent views from the house.
In corrugated iron, this house is lightweight, strong, durable, and quintessentially Australian.
This two-bedroom holiday house sits on a steep coastal site overlooking Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. While the house follows the slope of the land, steel posts elevate it above ground. This allows for a minimal footprint on the ground and magnificent views from the house.
In corrugated iron, this house is lightweight, strong, durable, and quintessentially Australian.
4. To build on uneven ground
In Scottsdale, Arizona, this minimally modernist house hovers above the desert floor. The steel column stilts are subtle, but, in varying heights, they allow for the natural undulations of the land and the local flora to remain untouched.
In Scottsdale, Arizona, this minimally modernist house hovers above the desert floor. The steel column stilts are subtle, but, in varying heights, they allow for the natural undulations of the land and the local flora to remain untouched.
5. To build over water
Inspired by Japanese architecture and its emphasis on integration with nature, this house in Maine engages both the land and water elements of its lake-side location. Comprised of three separate sections, the living space of the house jetties out over the water, supported by fourteen structural steel columns. This not only makes for a unique living space, but also lessens the house’s mass and footprint on the fragile shore.
Inspired by Japanese architecture and its emphasis on integration with nature, this house in Maine engages both the land and water elements of its lake-side location. Comprised of three separate sections, the living space of the house jetties out over the water, supported by fourteen structural steel columns. This not only makes for a unique living space, but also lessens the house’s mass and footprint on the fragile shore.
6. To maximise views
In beautiful Margaret River, one section of this house has been elevated on stilts, leaving the hillside and flora undisturbed where possible. The design of this house takes advantage of its site. Jutting out towards the Indian Ocean – with empty space below – enhances the feeling of looking out and over the coast, with large glass panes allowing for panoramic views.
In beautiful Margaret River, one section of this house has been elevated on stilts, leaving the hillside and flora undisturbed where possible. The design of this house takes advantage of its site. Jutting out towards the Indian Ocean – with empty space below – enhances the feeling of looking out and over the coast, with large glass panes allowing for panoramic views.
7. To ventilate underneath the house
We don’t often think of Queenslander homes as being stilt houses, but many of the original are, typically elevated on timber ‘stumps’. This would allow ventilation and cool air to flow under the house, protect the main structure from termites and other pests, and enable the natural flow of water in times of torrential rain.
We don’t often think of Queenslander homes as being stilt houses, but many of the original are, typically elevated on timber ‘stumps’. This would allow ventilation and cool air to flow under the house, protect the main structure from termites and other pests, and enable the natural flow of water in times of torrential rain.
8. To enhance sustainable design
On the Sunshine Coast, this house has been designed with space and energy-efficiency in mind. It is a series of geometric volumes neatly fitted together on varying levels, all raised on stilts of differing heights. This creates areas of shade and sun that will naturally warm and cool the house throughout the day. And much of it built on stilts minimises the environmental impact of the house before, during and after construction.
On the Sunshine Coast, this house has been designed with space and energy-efficiency in mind. It is a series of geometric volumes neatly fitted together on varying levels, all raised on stilts of differing heights. This creates areas of shade and sun that will naturally warm and cool the house throughout the day. And much of it built on stilts minimises the environmental impact of the house before, during and after construction.
9. To protect against floods
On the Gulf of Mexico, Biloxi is prone to floods. However, to mitigate any flood damage, this house has been elevated on 20 concrete pilings and woods stilts. This also takes advantages of views over the Bay, and provides space underneath the house to shelter cars and other vehicles or equipment.
On the Gulf of Mexico, Biloxi is prone to floods. However, to mitigate any flood damage, this house has been elevated on 20 concrete pilings and woods stilts. This also takes advantages of views over the Bay, and provides space underneath the house to shelter cars and other vehicles or equipment.
10. Because you can … and it’s stunning!
And finally, a great reason to build a stilt house is because you can. On the coast of Argentina, this stilt house navigates rocky and steep hillside terrain, leaving the land untouched. Its stone facade and timber structure blend beautifully with the coastal landscape while the curved walls mimic the slope of the hillside. I could certainly watch a sunset or two from here!
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And finally, a great reason to build a stilt house is because you can. On the coast of Argentina, this stilt house navigates rocky and steep hillside terrain, leaving the land untouched. Its stone facade and timber structure blend beautifully with the coastal landscape while the curved walls mimic the slope of the hillside. I could certainly watch a sunset or two from here!
MORE
Cantilevered Architecture: Finding Balance With Daring Design
From the Ground Up: Designing for Your Location
The Evolution of the 1960s Beachcomber House to Today’s Platform Home
In Brisbane, this neat little one-bedroom granny flat or studio is raised above the ground on steel posts. Considering the potential for rain in the region, and being situated on a sloped suburban hillside, elevating the house on stilts reduces flooding, water damage and weakening of the house’s foundation. Plus sitting higher amongst the trees provides a beautiful outlook from the house.