Traditionally built to protect properties against the devastating effects of flooding, as well as to stabilise houses on tricky sloping sites, stilt homes offer a wealth of unconventional design possibilities, plus incredible views from their lofty structures raised above the ground. From a mid-century marvel floating over a sheer drop to a stunning beachfront home built into a cliff, these spectacular stilt houses take architecture to new heights. Click or scroll on for more...
Mid-century modern homes don't get much better than this. Positioned on a sloping site in Los Angeles, California, this striking post-and-beam house dates back to around 1962 but has since been beautifully renovated by noted design firm, Tradecraft.
Set back from the street, the house makes the most of its small and awkward plot by being elevated off the ground on steel poles. This also means the interior spaces can enjoy captivating views across Silver Lake. Inside, you'll find 2,140 square feet of space, encompassing a spectacular open-plan living area with a raised dining zone and modern kitchen.
There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a pretty backyard with two decks, a patio and plenty of room for a pool. There's even a detached bonus room positioned below the house, which comes with its own separate entrance, making it the perfect work-from-home space.
Of course, thanks to the property's age, there are plenty of eye-catching design features throughout, including swathes of glass walls, original exposed beams and structural elements, high ceilings, hardwood floors and multi-level spaces that scream mid-century modern. The characterful historic home sold in 2020 for a cool $2.4 million (£1.8m) via Compass.
As global warming wreaks havoc on the planet, rising sea levels and heavy rainfall have caused countless devastating floods around the world. So, how do you go about designing and building a home on a flood plain? Well, the team at John Pardey Architects had a clever idea...
Their clients bought a plot on the scenic banks of the River Loddon, a tributary of the Thames in Berkshire, UK. Classified as a Flood Zone 3b area, with a potential flood depth of 3.8 feet, the property needed not only to suit its surroundings but be able to withstand the worst-case scenario should the river burst its banks. In order to protect the property, John Pardey opted to elevate the house off the ground using a series of stilts.
The design places the house 6.5 feet above the predicted climate change flood level to ensure the home's interior never comes into contact with water. Spanning 3,552 square feet, the modern home was completed in 2019 and features a stylish, free-flowing interior. Large glazed walls allow for unbroken panoramic views of the river, while sustainable elements like a ground source heat pump and solar PV panels render the house eco-friendly.
Completed for around $2.7 million (£2m), this flood-resistant home is truly inspired. Unsurprisingly, the property has been acknowledged with various awards. Named the winner of both the RIBA Regional Award and RIBA National Award in 2021, the house was also on the longlist for RIBA House of the Year 2021.
Despite its ultra-modern aesthetic, this floating residential wonder, known as YARRAKUNA, was built in 1962. With extensive frontage on the Yarra River, this mesmerizing residence can be found inside sprawling parkland close to the city of Hawthorn in Victoria, Australia.
The bold building was designed by architect Harry J. Little and raised off the ground on stilts, not only to make the most of the stunning surrounding views but to protect the property from possible flooding. Spanning just over 15,000 square feet, the house benefits from four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an array of gorgeous living spaces overflowing with mid-century touches.
Enter the home from the leafy balcony and you'll find yourself in light-filled living spaces with expansive windows. There's a lounge, a dining area, a family room, a kitchen and an office. The master suite occupies a dedicated wing of the house, allowing for total tranquility among the trees. Key retro design features include the home's sliding concertina doors, wood-panelled walls, vintage kitchen hatch and checkerboard floors.
Every single room benefits from stunning views, while many open up to the home's extensive exterior deck, where river vistas can be savoured. In 2021, the property landed on the market for the first time since 1968, selling for somewhere between AUD$6.9 million ($4.9m/£3.6m) and AUD$7.6 million ($5.4m/£4m) via Abercromby's Real Estate.
When it comes to stunning homes, things don't get much better than this modern glass-fronted property on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, UK. Built into a cliff on the very edge of the Menai Strait, the gorgeous glass house also overlooks the iconic Snowdonia mountain range.
In order to build a home on such a tight and unusual plot, the house was raised on stilts, which anchor it to the cliff and allow it to overhang the water. Listed with Lucas Estate Agents back in 2019, the brilliant beach house isn't a new build though, it's actually a renovation. The home's central stone structure was originally a bathing house for local bishops and is thought to date back to around 1820.
The historic heart of the home has been extended with two elevated glass wings that sit on either side. Adding them was no easy task, either. The solid rock around the home had to be excavated by hand, since there was no space for machinery. Each wing boasts floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer every room uninterrupted sea views. Just imagine waking up here each morning!
There's a total of four bedrooms, an open-plan living room, a dining space and a kitchen. Head outside to one of the home's balconies and you can savour incredible vistas while soaking in the Jacuzzi. The house even has direct access to its own little beach, as well as a standalone studio with a dedicated balcony, kitchen, bathroom and sleeping space. Beat that!
From the front, this modern bungalow in Tasmania, Australia, might look small and fairly ordinary – save for the incredible scenery – but head around the back and you'll find a towering treasure teetering on narrow stilts. Last on the market in 2020 with Roberts Real Estate, the legs allow the property to sit comfortably on its sloping plot without interfering with the surrounding landscape.
The incredible home was built into a hillside in the town of Rocky Hills, on Tasmania's east coast. Designed to face Great Oyster Bay and the Tasman Sea, the striking stone property was also constructed from locally sourced materials, including Zincalume, a coating made from a mixture of metals that protects the house from corrosion and the area's notorious sub-zero winters and blistering summers. This is one house that was designed to survive every challenge.
Step inside and you'll find flawless, contemporary living spaces that look out across the ocean. With soaring ceilings, endless glazing and modern furnishings, every room is minimalist and stripped-back, allowing the landscape outside to take centre stage. Across the 1,388-square-foot interior there's an open-plan lounge, dining space and kitchen, as well as two bedrooms.
What's more, Freycinet National Park is right outside the front door, meaning the lucky owner can spend their days exploring the rugged surrounding landscapes, before sipping a glass of something cold on their balcony. The outside living spaces benefit from far-reaching views across the fittingly named Wineglass Bay and the Hazards mountain range, two of Tasmania's most iconic attractions.
This eye-catching residence was designed by Bali-based architect Alexis Dornier, who teamed up with start-up entrepreneur Florian Holm to create a company dedicated to building beautiful, movable homes. The pair founded Stilt Studios after Florian hired Alexis to design and build his own house in Canggu, Indonesia. During the project, the duo realised there was a huge gap in the market for stylish, sustainable homes that were also affordable.
Dornier and Holm designed four models for people to choose from and this one is possibly their best. The sky-high, single-level structure offers a clever 387-square-foot interior that makes the most of every inch of space. There's a kitchenette, a lounge and a bathroom, while the bedroom is situated on an elevated mezzanine level. 360-degree windows allow for light and airy living spaces, while the exterior balconies add valuable extra space.
Starting from just $50,000 (£37k), the prefabricated house is built offsite, before being moved into place on the back of a lorry. It can be erected quickly and constructed on difficult terrain, thanks to its stilt legs. This makes the property ideal for remote locations and areas where natural disasters are more frequent. If the need arises, the treehouse can also be taken apart and moved to a new plot.
What's more, the home is entirely eco-friendly. Sustainable features include natural cross ventilation that was built into the design, a rainwater harvesting system and energy-generating solar panels. Food can also be grown beneath the house, allowing the resident to live completely off-grid. You can even try before you buy, because this cosy cabin is currently available to rent via Airbnb.
Described by the listing agents, Belle Property, as an "architectural sanctuary", this one-of-a-kind property in Victoria, Australia, is a majestic, sprawling estate with real wow-factor. Situated on over 18 acres of land in Beremboke, the luxurious remote home was designed by award-winning architect, Peter McIntyre.
The property is formed from three interconnecting modules: the main house, the sleep house and the cottage, linked by verandas and hallways. The home comes equipped with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and plenty of stunning living areas. From rustic beamed ceilings to wood-burning stoves, metal spiral staircases, sunken seating areas and floor-to-ceiling glass, there's plenty to love about this unusual home.
While some of the home's rooms are fairly ordinary, others offer curving walls or soaring cathedral ceilings. Materials including corrugated iron, wood and glass decorate the home, allowing the dazzling rural backdrop to take centre stage. The dining room boasts a glass ceiling, while the cottage module is fully self-contained with its own open-plan living space, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom.
Cantilevering out over the landscape upon which it sits, the gravity-defying house enjoys unobstructed views of the Brisbane Ranges, You Yangs ridges and Corio Bay from almost every room. There are also seven exterior decks to choose from and we think this one would be the perfect spot for soaking up the sunset.
Proving that stilt houses aren't a new concept, this incredible home was designed between 1962 and 1966 by iconic Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra. Located in Sherman Oaks, California, the precariously perched home was one of 17 so-called 'Platform Houses' that were built into the side of the Beverly Glen Canyon.
A real feat of engineering, the rectangular mid-century residence appears to float on the edge of the hillside thanks to its cantilevered design. Positioned on a huge platform supported by long, tall metal posts, the home allows for spectacular views framed by floor-to-ceiling windows.
The airy 1,800-square-foot cliff home blurs the distinction between inside and out, making the canyon outside the star of the show. When it comes to accommodation on offer, there's a large living room, a spacious kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private balcony with a breathtaking outlook.
Despite its age, the quirky residence is kitted out with plenty of smart home tech, including automated black-out shades, a drop-down projection screen and heated floors. In 2019, the property hit the real estate market with The Agency for just shy of $1.6 million (£1.2m) and we're sure it was worth every single penny.
The ultimate way to disconnect with the digital world and reconnect with nature, this amazing treehouse near Florence, Italy, is almost too good to be true. Nestled among towering pines in the heart of Italy's wine country, this modern home is rustic, stylish and entirely unique.
Access to the luxurious treetop home is via a metal staircase that leads up to an exterior deck. Step inside the petite property and you'll discover snug yet stylish living areas, encompassing a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
Far from an ordinary treehouse, this modern residence boasts walls of glass, a stunning ceiling that draws the eyes to the sky, and vintage-inspired details. From chalkboards covered in hand-scribbled messages to antique furnishings, exposed pipework and rustic finishes, the home offers a charming old-school vibe.
The interior spaces blur into the surrounding woodlands thanks to sliding doors that lead out to the balcony. You'll also find an outdoor dining deck, a swimming pool, an interior wood-burning stove for cosy nights in and a hammock swinging below the home. This unique upcycled home is currently available to rent on Airbnb.
From the outside, the Forest Home in Healdsburg, California, might appear slightly foreboding, but on the contrary, this modern masterpiece conceals a stunning, light-filled home. Nestled on 40 wooded acres, the unique home was designed by architect Douglas Burnham to sit perfectly on its awkward, sloping plot.
Previously on the market with Sotheby's International Realty, the house is elevated off the forest floor on legs, which allowed the surrounding landscape to be left intact, with no levelling needed. Formed from a series of monochrome pavilions, the property's interconnecting cabins are linked by exterior balconies, allowing for a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors, while causing minimal disruption to the natural environment.
In the centre of the dwelling you'll find a large living room and kitchen wrapped in warm cedar cladding. Glass doors open to an elevated deck that doubles up as an outdoor living room and viewing platform. Elsewhere, you'll find three bedrooms housed in individual cabins, each with their own terrace and bathroom. This incredible ensuite boasts a sunken tub, offering unobstructed views through the canopy while you bathe. The rustic décor is complemented by high-end appliances and luxurious extras.
The rural residence even comes with a bunk house, which sleeps six people thanks to pod-like beds embedded in the wall. Outside, the garden is home to a 42-foot swimming pool, a hot tub and a cold plunge pool. In November 2021, the mesmerising home hit the market for a cool $3.5 million (£2.6m) and we can certainly see why!
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