“Stilt houses or pile dwellings are houses raised on piles over the surface of the soil or a body of water. Stilt houses are built primarily as a protection against flooding, but also serve to keep out vermin. The shady space under the house can be used for work or storage. Today, stilt houses are still common in parts of the Mosquito Coast in northeastern Nicaragua, northern Brazil, South East Asia, Papua New Guinea and West Africa. They are especially widespread along the banks of the tropical river valleys of South America (Palafito), notably the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. As the costs of hurricane damage increase more and more houses along the Gulf Coast are being built as or converted to stilt houses.”
These types of dwellings have a specific use for areas prone to flooding, but I’m very leery of relying on stilts and piling foundations at any height sufficient enough to provide headroom for work or recreational space underneath. I’d rather just live somewhere that doesn’t flood so much. ;-]
Actually, countless houses like this are built in non-flood areas such as this one. Many are built with recycled wood, which is less than concrete. Many people love the homey feel and want to capture the breezes and views. This one is next to a Buddhist temple. The space underneath is used for parking cars and motorcycles, socializing, outdoor cooking, pets, storage, laundry, etc. They’re very practical.
It’s hard to see, but there’s a bathroom under the far left corner of the house.