This month we’ve picked out Our Favourite Buildings in the Hillside. Designing on a slope can be tricky, but it often leads to some of the most inventive and characterful architecture. Here are a few of our favourite projects that make the most of their terrain, working with the landscape to create something truly special.
paul
Malator
Future Systems
“I’ve always liked this futuristic home in Pembrokeshire, built in the year I started my Architectural education.”
“It’s far from the hobbit hole image that often gets conjured when you think of earth sheltered home. The owner, an ex MP describes it as ‘an eye in the landscape, looking out to sea’.”
henry
Half-Slope House
Denis Joelsons and Gabriela Baraúna Uchida
“Located in Brazil, this home is ingeniously built into a steep hillside, and it cleverly uses a retaining wall to integrate the two-storey structure with the natural terrain.”
“As a result, the design separates functions thoughtfully: the communal areas occupy the lower, flatter level, providing easy access to outdoor spaces and encouraging social interaction.”
“Meanwhile, the private bedrooms are positioned on the upper, sloped section, offering a sense of seclusion while still maintaining visual and spatial connections to the surrounding landscape.”
“Overall, the house demonstrates how careful planning can turn a challenging site into a harmonious and functional home.”
Agnieszka
Konieczny’s Ark
kwk promes / robert konieczny
“I like this project for the unique shape of a capsule with a ‘roof over and under’ the building hovering over the earth, interesting construction – the volume is supported only by three vertical walls and water from the hill can run under the building.”
“Also it has interesting features as drawbridges as a main entrance and entrance to the ‘cellar’, sliding window shutters and exposed insulation in some places as a wall finish.”
“The form and layout has been stripped off all elements that are anything but essential.”
alan
Mirador del Río
César Manrique
“I hadn’t really expected to see much architecture when I went to Lanzarotte on a holiday but loved seeing the work of Cesar Manrique across the island.”
“He’s clearly the master of building in caves and underground with a range of really unusual buildings across the island. One, the Cueva de los Verdes, feels like something out of the Flintstones.”
“However, this observation room & bar on the North Coast with incredible views, was one of the most architectural we saw – even if it’s bond villain-esque!”
“It’s a super cool with curved walls that follow the undulations of the cave internally and the plate glass windows meeting the rock outside is a really cool feature. It’s well worth checking out if you’re on the island.”
george
Hallam Towers
Nelson Foley/ Axis Architecture
“I was lucky enough to see the original structure before the redevelopment, which has been a sensitive and carefully considered response to the site’s history.”
“In addition, I was offered the experience of performing BIM clash detection as part of a University project on the redevelopment; using architectural, structural and mechanical BIM models. This was a great experience in how to manage a design team’s proposals.”
“Despite being on one of the many hills on the way out to the Peak District, Hallam Towers is well concealed by its site levels and surrounding trees. It’s a great example of how to build tall structures on a hillside!”
Want amazing views from your sloping site?
We can help you create a beautiful and low energy home that makes the most of your views.