Building a House on a Slope? Read This First
An architect's inspiring design solutions for different sites when building your dream home on a slope
Designing and building on a sloping site can be the most challenging of tasks for both the architect and builder, not to mention the client who must show remarkable faith in both these disciplines to envision a home that, at the outset, may seem impossible to achieve. Yes, building on a slope is difficult and I know this because I have first-hand experience of the challenges involved, having built my own house on a slope. If your land were flat, you wouldn’t have to cart material up and down a slope, or spend money on carving out the land to support the structure. However, the result can be exhilarating, breathtaking and at times gravity defying.
Types of sloping sites
I believe there are two types of sloping sites with slight variations in between. The first type is one where the land slopes up away from the road.
On arrival you are presented with the bulk of the building: the multi-storey component facing the street, which is more than likely where the view is. The section at the rear is where the land rises.
With homes like these, you usually enter the home at the lowest level and need to transverse all three levels from the base. This can be quite a hike on a daily basis, so if budget permits, I’d definitely consider including a domestic lift.
I believe there are two types of sloping sites with slight variations in between. The first type is one where the land slopes up away from the road.
On arrival you are presented with the bulk of the building: the multi-storey component facing the street, which is more than likely where the view is. The section at the rear is where the land rises.
With homes like these, you usually enter the home at the lowest level and need to transverse all three levels from the base. This can be quite a hike on a daily basis, so if budget permits, I’d definitely consider including a domestic lift.
The second type is one where the land slopes down from the road. Unlike the house above, on arrival you are presented with the two-storey component facing the street, with the bulk of the building at the rear facing the view, as seen in the next photo.
What makes this different to the first type of sloping site is that you enter the house on the middle level, which makes the daily task of going up and down each floor much easier because it’s from the middle level where the entry and garage exists. The practical task of taking groceries into the kitchen and leaving the house on a daily basis is made so much easier without having to go down to the lowest level.
I prefer this type of sloping land as it doesn’t look as daunting to access all levels.
What makes this different to the first type of sloping site is that you enter the house on the middle level, which makes the daily task of going up and down each floor much easier because it’s from the middle level where the entry and garage exists. The practical task of taking groceries into the kitchen and leaving the house on a daily basis is made so much easier without having to go down to the lowest level.
I prefer this type of sloping land as it doesn’t look as daunting to access all levels.
This view of the same house clearly shows the difference between the two types with the three-storey component at the rear.
There are, of course, homes built on land that slopes away in multiple directions or lilts sideways (such as the house pictured below). For these types of sites, you should be able to vary the design solutions below to suit the site.
There are, of course, homes built on land that slopes away in multiple directions or lilts sideways (such as the house pictured below). For these types of sites, you should be able to vary the design solutions below to suit the site.
Which designs best suit homes on sloping sites?
You may have purchased your sloping site and are now ready to commission the design of your dream home. However, there are a vast array of design elements to consider, other than the slope of the land, which can create a sense of place and convey special meaning.
Let’s take a look at some design solutions you may want to consider on your sloping land.
You may have purchased your sloping site and are now ready to commission the design of your dream home. However, there are a vast array of design elements to consider, other than the slope of the land, which can create a sense of place and convey special meaning.
Let’s take a look at some design solutions you may want to consider on your sloping land.
A cantilever
The wonderful thing about being inside a home that has been built on a sloping site is that you can feel as if you are floating high above the ground below with a bird’s eye view of the world. This is essentially the difference between building on a flat piece of ground where you are set among other homes and grounded.
It’s a feeling that can be exhilarating and accentuated by cantilevering part of the house into the sky as the designers at Clever Design have done, which, under my classification, is a type-two home. This cantilever allows you to not only appreciate the sensation of floating in mid-air, but also allows you to appreciate and feel the sloping landscape below.
The wonderful thing about being inside a home that has been built on a sloping site is that you can feel as if you are floating high above the ground below with a bird’s eye view of the world. This is essentially the difference between building on a flat piece of ground where you are set among other homes and grounded.
It’s a feeling that can be exhilarating and accentuated by cantilevering part of the house into the sky as the designers at Clever Design have done, which, under my classification, is a type-two home. This cantilever allows you to not only appreciate the sensation of floating in mid-air, but also allows you to appreciate and feel the sloping landscape below.
A view
Most sloping sites offer some sort of view, if only because you are suddenly lifted off the ground hovering above everything around you.
However, reForm Architects in the UK has taken its design solution one step further by designing this home, aptly named The Boathouse, to not only feel as if it is floating on the sloping site but engaged with the view, almost becoming a part of it. Standing on the inside of this house, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, you would be able to sense the outside landscape and the mesmerising presence of the water.
Most sloping sites offer some sort of view, if only because you are suddenly lifted off the ground hovering above everything around you.
However, reForm Architects in the UK has taken its design solution one step further by designing this home, aptly named The Boathouse, to not only feel as if it is floating on the sloping site but engaged with the view, almost becoming a part of it. Standing on the inside of this house, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, you would be able to sense the outside landscape and the mesmerising presence of the water.
A tree house
I’m sure we can all remember building our very own tree house as children, usually only a few feet above the ground, even though it seemed to be far above the surface. Here in our very own private space, we would cast our eye into the distance contemplating what laid ahead. Now who says growing up means we cant have that same tree house feeling?
The designers at Swatt | Miers Architects in the USA has captured an adult space in this wonderful home. Here, minimal structure is used to perch the house above the sloping land below to create glass pods in which people can sit in and once again contemplate the future ahead.
I’m sure we can all remember building our very own tree house as children, usually only a few feet above the ground, even though it seemed to be far above the surface. Here in our very own private space, we would cast our eye into the distance contemplating what laid ahead. Now who says growing up means we cant have that same tree house feeling?
The designers at Swatt | Miers Architects in the USA has captured an adult space in this wonderful home. Here, minimal structure is used to perch the house above the sloping land below to create glass pods in which people can sit in and once again contemplate the future ahead.
An object in the landscape
Sometimes the sloping land on which you wish to perch your home can act as a blank canvas. This Australian home, designed by Ian Moore Architects, not only takes advantage of the view but has been designed as a standalone object to be admired from all angles. It’s as if it has landed on the grassy slope to survey the land ahead, and at any moment could disengage with the land and take off to another location.
Sometimes the sloping land on which you wish to perch your home can act as a blank canvas. This Australian home, designed by Ian Moore Architects, not only takes advantage of the view but has been designed as a standalone object to be admired from all angles. It’s as if it has landed on the grassy slope to survey the land ahead, and at any moment could disengage with the land and take off to another location.
Resembling a sculptural piece of art
This USA home, designed and built by Herring and Worley, defies the preconception that building on a slope has to ‘follow the rules’ – that is, that the structure has to be simple and logical – instead, it can be inspiring. Art and architecture go hand-in-hand and here the designers have perfectly captured the essence of this marriage.
The sculptural form of the building is not only amazing, but the many facets created by the undulating form has created the opportunity for multiple window configurations in which to enjoy the view.
This USA home, designed and built by Herring and Worley, defies the preconception that building on a slope has to ‘follow the rules’ – that is, that the structure has to be simple and logical – instead, it can be inspiring. Art and architecture go hand-in-hand and here the designers have perfectly captured the essence of this marriage.
The sculptural form of the building is not only amazing, but the many facets created by the undulating form has created the opportunity for multiple window configurations in which to enjoy the view.
Inspired by the landscape
This rocky landscape provides the inspiration for the design of this home perched high on a hill. Just as the land is undulating and rocky, so is the home, which almost looks camouflaged amongst the landscape where the design seems to follow the contours of the land and the rocks wrap around and become the walls of the home.
This rocky landscape provides the inspiration for the design of this home perched high on a hill. Just as the land is undulating and rocky, so is the home, which almost looks camouflaged amongst the landscape where the design seems to follow the contours of the land and the rocks wrap around and become the walls of the home.
Integrated into the landscape
This guest house, designed and built by Coburn Design Build, seeks to treat the slope of the land as a way to hide part of the building’s form, in order to have a lesser impact on the landscape.
Unlike other homes that sit on the land and can be viewed from all sides, part of this guest house is cut into the land, and the natural surrounds are allowed to grow over the top with a living green roof. Only part of the house can be viewed from one side, which is directed towards the view.
Browse more homes with beautiful rooftop gardens
This guest house, designed and built by Coburn Design Build, seeks to treat the slope of the land as a way to hide part of the building’s form, in order to have a lesser impact on the landscape.
Unlike other homes that sit on the land and can be viewed from all sides, part of this guest house is cut into the land, and the natural surrounds are allowed to grow over the top with a living green roof. Only part of the house can be viewed from one side, which is directed towards the view.
Browse more homes with beautiful rooftop gardens
Buried into the slope
Designing a building and burying it into the side of a slope can be a necessity in various climatic conditions because the benefits can be numerous.
The designers of this home have chosen this alpine location to create a retreat that uses the slope of the land to create an interior that is both thermally responsive and cocoon-like, a haven from the cold conditions outside. The steep roof allows the snow to slip off, while also creating an opportunity for a wall of glass in which to appreciate the majestic landscape.
Designing a building and burying it into the side of a slope can be a necessity in various climatic conditions because the benefits can be numerous.
The designers of this home have chosen this alpine location to create a retreat that uses the slope of the land to create an interior that is both thermally responsive and cocoon-like, a haven from the cold conditions outside. The steep roof allows the snow to slip off, while also creating an opportunity for a wall of glass in which to appreciate the majestic landscape.
Minimising the impact on the landscape
With any sloping land, the temptation is to create some sort of level ground on which construction can begin. This may mean cutting the land or using the land as a springboard for the home.
However, the designers at Room 11 decided to have as minimum impact on the land itself as possible for this home in Hobart, Australia. The slope was allowed to be just that: a natural, sloping landscape. The house is merely a visitor, like an insect crawling along the surface. There is minimum structure touching the ground, which is accentuated by the long, slender-like legs that support the home.
With any sloping land, the temptation is to create some sort of level ground on which construction can begin. This may mean cutting the land or using the land as a springboard for the home.
However, the designers at Room 11 decided to have as minimum impact on the land itself as possible for this home in Hobart, Australia. The slope was allowed to be just that: a natural, sloping landscape. The house is merely a visitor, like an insect crawling along the surface. There is minimum structure touching the ground, which is accentuated by the long, slender-like legs that support the home.
Altering the landscape
An alternative design solution to building on a sloping site is to manipulate the site to suit your design.
This USA home, designed by Guerin Design + Development, overlooks the valley below. The slope, or rather the contours of the slope, have been extensively manipulated to create a totally integrated landscape garden. Each layer cascades down the hill to soften the impact of the hard-edged home that sits atop the crest. When viewed from below, the green of the landscaped slope will be most apparent.
An alternative design solution to building on a sloping site is to manipulate the site to suit your design.
This USA home, designed by Guerin Design + Development, overlooks the valley below. The slope, or rather the contours of the slope, have been extensively manipulated to create a totally integrated landscape garden. Each layer cascades down the hill to soften the impact of the hard-edged home that sits atop the crest. When viewed from below, the green of the landscaped slope will be most apparent.
With pedestrian access
When considering building on a slope, how you access the home is very important. Access can be given little consideration and treated only as a means of entry or it can be celebrated.
If accessing your home requires you climbing a significant amount of steps, as seen in this USA home designed by Birdseye Design, why not make the journey interesting? On arrival, one can’t help but be drawn up these steps, tempted by what lies ahead. A simple design, this straight flight of steps acts like a drawbridge inviting you in.
When considering building on a slope, how you access the home is very important. Access can be given little consideration and treated only as a means of entry or it can be celebrated.
If accessing your home requires you climbing a significant amount of steps, as seen in this USA home designed by Birdseye Design, why not make the journey interesting? On arrival, one can’t help but be drawn up these steps, tempted by what lies ahead. A simple design, this straight flight of steps acts like a drawbridge inviting you in.
With vehicle access
If your home is situated at the top of a hill or on a slope that requires accessing your home by vehicle only, once again, you could make the journey interesting.
The designers at Jay Hargrave Architecture have created a hard-edged aqueduct-like concrete structure for this USA home that allows you to drive along its length, drawing you towards the home. The driveway appears to hover over the ground with the slope of the land appearing to flow under its form like a flowing river. Like a meandering racetrack, you want to get to the finish line.
If your home is situated at the top of a hill or on a slope that requires accessing your home by vehicle only, once again, you could make the journey interesting.
The designers at Jay Hargrave Architecture have created a hard-edged aqueduct-like concrete structure for this USA home that allows you to drive along its length, drawing you towards the home. The driveway appears to hover over the ground with the slope of the land appearing to flow under its form like a flowing river. Like a meandering racetrack, you want to get to the finish line.
The total package
They say that your home is your castle and this home in Melbourne, Victoria, by Vibe Design Group, to me encapsulates many of the design elements mentioned above. Sited in a suburban setting, it sits on as sloping site as a bold sculptural form, drawing you in via the pedestrian side bridge. Little is given away in regards to the complexity of the home beyond the facade, except for a picture window.
The contrast in colour between the natural green grass cascading down to the driveway and the timber form is what makes this home resemble a composed picture.
They say that your home is your castle and this home in Melbourne, Victoria, by Vibe Design Group, to me encapsulates many of the design elements mentioned above. Sited in a suburban setting, it sits on as sloping site as a bold sculptural form, drawing you in via the pedestrian side bridge. Little is given away in regards to the complexity of the home beyond the facade, except for a picture window.
The contrast in colour between the natural green grass cascading down to the driveway and the timber form is what makes this home resemble a composed picture.
Your turn
Do you have a home on a sloping site? In the Comments, tell us how your architect, designer or builder made an asset of the slope. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more on designing a site-specific home? Check out this article: From the Ground Up: Designing for Your Location
Do you have a home on a sloping site? In the Comments, tell us how your architect, designer or builder made an asset of the slope. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more on designing a site-specific home? Check out this article: From the Ground Up: Designing for Your Location
Struggling with designing on a tricky site? Find architects near you for custom solutions, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients