Sloping blocks have traditionally been shunned by home builders, with only the most adventurous picking up the gauntlet.
But, as construction techniques advance and more and more companies introduce designs specifically tailored to steeper sites, building a dream home on a hill is becoming more achievable
That’s not to say building on a slope is easy. It presents its fair share of challenges. But these challenges can be overcome, and sloping blocks of land are often cheaper than flat blocks, so it’s worth persevering – if only for the view.
Building on a sloping block is often more expensive, but it offers commanding views.
Challenges of sloping block houses
There are many hurdles to building a hillside property. The sloping block affects almost every aspect of the build, and this means construction can become costly.
Builders often need to excavate or build retaining walls to manage the steep slope. They need to negotiate site-access and stormwater run-off. And they need to comply with all the relevant bushfire building codes and council restrictions.
All these factors can stretch the budget and your patience. But, if you have a great site and a strong vision of what you want to build, don’t let the hindrances hold you back; the result is often worth the pain.
Ultimately, it’s just a matter of choosing a design that matches your lifestyle and suits the block.
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Spit-level homes have small sets of internal stairs leading to different parts of the home.
1. Multi-level living
Split-level designs are ideal for sloping blocks, reducing the need for costly excavation and eliminating the requirement for a retaining wall.
A good builder will be able to design the right layout for your site, depending on the steepness and size.
Just make sure the design maximises natural light and harnesses the view, whilst still incorporating the rooms and space that you need.
It’s worth noting, too, that living across multiple levels will mean lots of stairs, which isn’t for everyone.
2. Room with a view
Orientation is one of the most important factors when choosing to build a house that is perched up high, with some designs purely focused on capturing the vista.
These designs are usually more expensive, as they use a lot of glass – especially when there is a 360-degree view on offer. And they also need added protection from the elements.
The trick is to ensure the design keeps living areas cosy, cool and connected, whilst still delivering that view.
3. The cut in
Excavation is expensive but offers owners more flexibility on their house design when it comes to hills.
Making your block flatter will create more space and natural insulation for the rooms built into the slope. And it also makes it possible for builders to use a standard house design.
However, this technique can be extremely costly – especially if your hillside retreat is on a rock cliff, or you need to remove a lot of dirt.
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This four-bedroom home in Queensland uses turf, a cantilevered design, and plenty of glass to create a home that’s in keeping with the green surrounds.
4. Treehouse
Living amongst the tree tops is everyone’s childhood dream, and these days you can live out the fantasy by building a luxury vertical house in the forest.
Tree house designs often have a strong base but a very small footprint on the ground. Often, this means the home is propped up on steel on timber stilts, with particularly fun designs using timber walkways to connect rooms.
5. The front deck
Building a deck on a steep embankment can seem like a no brainer. They look stunning, and help increase the perceived size of the home.
Decks built over multiple levels can also provide an impressive array of platforms from which to drink in a beautiful valley view.
Adding a large front deck helps make the most of the view.
6. The ski chalet
If you are looking to create a mountain retreat, then the ski-field inspired chalet design could be the way to go.
Untouched by time, this architectural classic is a proven winner when it comes to warmth and sturdiness, with owners now able to handpick materials and choose from a range of contemporary reinterpretations.
7. The modern functional
A standard two- or three-bedroom home that focuses on functionality rather than ambitious ideas, this design is common in expensive, sought-after areas, where an owner’s decision to buy a sloping block is driven more by scarcity than choice.
These homes often follow the standard townhouse design, with a garage either on the bottom floor or top, depending on which side of the slope the home is located.
They can be cheaper than other alternatives, which need a bigger budget for special products and more complex techniques.
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8. The duplex
Duplexes are buildings containing two homes that share one common wall.
Suited to a strata title, this is when two houses share a common staircase and a driveway to keep costs down.
These types of houses are often seen in ski areas in Australia, and usually follow the standard townhouse design.
9. The hidden hideaway
This is the sloping block design most commonly seen on Grand Designs and is often inspired by the surrounding nature.
The house itself is often built into the ground and will include features designed to blend into the landscape, such as turf on the roof for insulation.
The building, however, usually has at least one side that looks out onto a view, to stop it from becoming a bunker.
10. The staircase
This is when each level contains one standard-size room and is built down the hill in a formation resembling a flight of stairs.
These have been popular for apartment buildings close to the beach on the eastern coast. They are straight-forward to build and can be adapted to any scale slope.
Glass-heavy designs on elevated blocks offer spectacular views.
11. Sideways sloping
When a slope gently declines from left to right or vice versa, you will need to build a lopsided house to respond to the natural form of the land.
The key here is to contour the home without giving off the impression that it’s unbalanced. This can be done by adding extra garden features and external decorations during the build.
12. The upward slope
Designs in this category are often saved for extremely steep blocks.
Usually a three-storey house that slopes to one storey at the rear, this type of design usually positions the main family areas of the home on the top floor, which is generally the largest.
Meanwhile, the bedrooms, bathrooms and studies are reserved for the smaller floors below, which are connected by a main staircase located in the middle of the house.
13. The glass haven
Glass can deliver some of the most striking architecture, and is often the best material to open up a home to the surrounding landscape.
But while designing a house on a steep block and using floor-to-ceiling glass walls is sure to deliver an impact, you’ll need to be creative to keep your privacy.
Too much light and heat can also be an issue. And then there’s the small matter of shelling out for custom-made windows.
14. The perch
Using timber or steel posts and deep footings to hold the floor in place, this design removes the need for expensive concreting.
It’s commonly found on very steep hills and in bush destinations, such as Lorne on the Victorian Coast.
The technique can be applied to multiple levels and is best when the contours of the land are unpredictable.
Cantilevered designs make you feel as though you’re hovering above the ground.
15. The cantilever
Probably the most dramatic, the cantilever design is also one of the most expensive sloping block designs, as it needs to be specifically tailored to your plot by an experienced architect.
It is essentially when one part of the building overhangs a steep slope while being weighted down at the back. If done correctly, it can make you feel as though you are hovering above the ground.
16. The price of art
When designing on a slope, there’s no need to follow the rules.
Some home builders step away from the simple and logical, and instead embrace the creative. These custom builds appear almost like a sculpture based on the home owner’s vision.
They won’t come cheap but, if money isn’t an issue, then this style of home can turn out to be truly extraordinary.
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