Дома на сваях: архитектура и распространение

Houses raised on piles over the surface of the soil or a body of water

Stilt houses (also called pile dwellings or lake dwellings) are houses raised on stilts (or piles) over the surface of the soil or a body of water. Stilt houses are built primarily as a protection against flooding; they also keep out vermin. The shady space under the house can be used for work or storage. Stilt houses are commonly found in Southeast Asia, Oceania, Central America, Caribbean, northern parts of South America, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives.

Houses where permafrost is present, in the Arctic, are built on stilts to keep permafrost under them from melting. Permafrost can be up to 70% water. While frozen, it provides a stable foundation. However, if heat radiating from the bottom of a home melts the permafrost, the home goes out of level and starts sinking into the ground. Other means of keeping the permafrost from melting are available, but raising the home off the ground on stilts is one of the most effective ways.

Stilt houses were also built by Amerindians in pre Columbian times. Palafitos are especially widespread along the banks of the tropical river valleys of South America, notably the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. Stilt houses were such a prevalent feature along the shores of Lake Maracaibo that Amerigo Vespucci was inspired to name the region "Venezuela" (little Venice). As the costs of hurricane damage increase, more and more houses along the Gulf Coast are being built as or converted to stilt houses. Stilt houses are also still common in parts of the Mosquito Coast in northeastern Nicaragua, and in northern Brazil as well as the bayou parts of the Southern United States and the hurricane prone Florida Keys and South Carolina Lowcountry.

Stilted granaries are also a common feature in West Africa, e. g., in the Malinke language regions of Mali and Guinea.

Diaojiaolou – Stilt houses in southern China. Heliotrope – A concept house designed by Rolf Disch with a single stilt, optimized for harnessing solar power. Kelong – Built primarily for fishing, but often doubling up as offshore dwellings in the following countries: Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Bahay Kubo – The traditional house type prevalent in the Philippines. Palafito – Found throughout South America since Pre Columbian times. In the late 19th century, numerous palafitos were built in Chilean cities such as Castro, Chonchi, and other towns in the Chiloé Archipelago, and are now considered a typical element of Chilotan architecture. Pang uk – A special kind of house found in Tai O, Lantau, Hong Kong, mainly built by Tankas. Papua New Guinea stilt house – A kind of stilt house constructed by Motuans, commonly found in the southern coastal area of PNG. Queenslander – Stilt house common in Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia. Chaang Ghar – A type of stilt house built in Assam state of India. It is mainly found in flood prone areas of the Brahmaputra river valley. Thai stilt house – A kind of house often built on freshwater, e. g., a lotus pond. Vietnamese stilt house – Similar to the Thai ones, except having a front door with a smaller height for religious reasons.

Stilt houses as water villas are common in the Maldives and Assam.