This house was built like a stilt house, not for aesthetics, but out of necessity.
It sits next to a river, and the water rises frequently,
so instead of trying to stop it, the solution was different – lift the house off the ground.
This is the Nerula House, designed by John Party Architects in the United Kingdom.
The house sits more than two meters above ground level,
supported on columns. This allows water to pass underneath without affecting the structure,
and also creates a usable space below for circulation, shade, and even parking.
From that decision, the rest of the design takes shape. The house is a long,
linear volume, like a bar suspended over the site.
In the middle of this volume, there is a void, a courtyard that splits the house into two parts.
On one side, the social area, living room, kitchen, shared spaces, all open with large
glass surfaces facing the river. On the other side, the more private spaces,
bedrooms, office, support areas, more closed, more controlled.
This courtyard solves several things at once. It brings in light, ventilation, and creates
a direct connection to the outside, even with the house elevated. In other words,
even without touching the ground, the house remains connected to the place.
You don't enter a closed space. The house is open, connected to this central courtyard.
Another important point is orientation. The house is positioned to make the most
of natural light throughout the day, and the roof helps with that. It extends outward,
creating shade over the glass areas and protecting the interior.
The structure follows the same logic, a lightweight system with minimal columns
and a volume that almost seems to float. This reduces the impact on the site
and reinforces the idea of lightness. The house also uses efficient systems,
such as solar energy and heating solutions, but all of this stays in the background.
The focus remains on space and its relationship to the site.
The materials also respond to the context. The exterior wood ages over time and gradually
blends into the landscape, without strong contrast. In the end, the Merula house is
simple to understand. It doesn't try to control the land. It accepts the condition and responds
to it. A house that lifts itself off the ground so it can keep working even when the water rises.
