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Home Articles

Designing to Build on Slopes

Nileshi Harasgama by Nileshi Harasgama
September 24, 2024
in Articles
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Designing buildings on sloped sites can be challenging, requiring careful planning to ensure stability and functionality while respecting the natural terrain. However, these challenges present unique opportunities for innovative design. Let’s have a look at five architectural strategies that help architects tackle sloped sites efficiently.


Cut and Fill Technique

The “cut and fill” technique is one of the most effective ways to level a sloped site. It involves excavating soil from higher areas and using it to fill lower parts, creating a stable surface.

This method reduces the need for transporting soil offsite, saving costs and minimising environmental disruption.

Retaining walls are installed to hold the displaced soil in place, preventing erosion or landslides.



Basements for Additional Space

Integrating basements into a sloped design takes advantage of the natural elevation changes. By building into the slope, the lower floors become part of the earth, creating additional functional space such as garages, storage, or living areas.

This method not only maximises usable square footage but also provides a level foundation for upper floors.

Retaining walls are critical here to prevent soil collapse, ensuring long-term stability.



Terracing for Multi-Level Platforms

“Terracing” involves dividing the sloped site into a series of stepped levels, or terraces. This technique allows for multiple building platforms on the site, making it ideal for projects requiring distinct levels or outdoor areas like gardens and patios.

Each terrace is reinforced with retaining walls, helping to maintain site stability.

The terracing strategy can result in a seamless integration between the building and the landscape, creating a layered, visually dynamic environment.



Stilt Floors for Natural Preservation

For sites where it’s important to minimise disturbance to the natural slope, “stilt floors” are an excellent option. Elevating the building on stilts or columns keeps the natural topography intact while reducing excavation.

This ecological method also helps preserve water drainage patterns and vegetation. In addition to its environmental benefits, stilt designs offer dramatic architectural aesthetics, creating a striking “floating” appearance.



Cantilever Method for Extended Space

The “cantilever” method allows portions of the building to extend over the slope without additional ground support. Cantilevered sections are supported by structural reinforcements like cross-bracing, offering extended spaces such as decks or overhangs with minimal land impact.

This approach not only increases usable space but also enhances views, making it ideal for sites with scenic vistas.



Incorporating these strategies helps architects balance the challenges of sloped sites with innovative design solutions, resulting in structures that are both functional and harmonious with their environments.


Reference:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/5YfwuJFt4rRwTvF1/?mibextid=D5vuizย 


Tags: Nileshi HarasgamaSiteSlope

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๐—›๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ฎ ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—น๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฐ๐˜‚๐—น๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ
๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ถ wasnโ€™t just an artist, she was a storyteller who wove Sri Lankaโ€™s identity into vibrant threads and architectural wonders. From handloom mastery to design brilliance, her legacy continues to inspire generations.

Read More: https://archalley.com/barbara-sansoni/

#BarbaraSansoni #SriLankanArt #TextileDesign #CreativeLegacy #ArchAlley #WomenInArt #CulturalHeritage #DesignInspiration

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๐—›๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ฎ ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—น๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฐ๐˜‚๐—น๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ 
๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ถ wasnโ€™t just an artist, she was a storyteller who wove Sri Lankaโ€™s identity into vibrant threads and architectural wonders. From handloom mastery to design brilliance, her legacy continues to inspire generations. 

Read More: https://archalley.com/barbara-sansoni/

#BarbaraSansoni #SriLankanArt #TextileDesign #CreativeLegacy #ArchAlley #WomenInArt #CulturalHeritage #DesignInspiration

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฉ๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐—ฎ ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ
Architects: Architect Muraj H W D
Lead Architect: Muraj H W D
Location: Matara, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Amila Ratnayake

Not just a villa โ€” an experience carved into the coastline.
Set in the heart of Matara, this stunning three-level retreat is where modern design meets tropical ease. With 5 airy bedrooms, a private pool, and spaces that flow with light and breeze, itโ€™s the kind of place that makes you pause.

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/residential-villa-at-matara/

#MataraVilla #TropicalModern #CoastalLiving #ArchitecturalEscape #DesignInspiration #LuxuryVillas #SriLankaHomes #Archalley #DreamSpaces #VillaVibes #InsideArchitecture

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๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฉ๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐—ฎ ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ
Architects: Architect Muraj H W D
Lead Architect: Muraj H W D
Location: Matara, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Amila Ratnayake

Not just a villa โ€” an experience carved into the coastline.
Set in the heart of Matara, this stunning three-level retreat is where modern design meets tropical ease. With 5 airy bedrooms, a private pool, and spaces that flow with light and breeze, itโ€™s the kind of place that makes you pause.

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ:  https://archalley.com/residential-villa-at-matara/

#MataraVilla #TropicalModern #CoastalLiving #ArchitecturalEscape #DesignInspiration #LuxuryVillas #SriLankaHomes #Archalley #DreamSpaces #VillaVibes #InsideArchitecture

๐—” ๐—›๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—™๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—Ÿ๐˜‚๐˜…๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ก๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ
Step into serenity, Nestled in Weligama, Villa Vista by Shigeru Ban is a stunning fusion of luxury and nature. With open spaces, ocean views, and a seamless blend of architecture and landscape, itโ€™s where design breathes in harmony with the wild.
๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/a-harmonious-fusion-of-luxury-and-nature/

#VillaVista #ShigeruBan #SustainableLuxury #TropicalEscape #ArchitecturalDream

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๐—” ๐—›๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—™๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—Ÿ๐˜‚๐˜…๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ก๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ
Step into serenity, Nestled in Weligama, Villa Vista by Shigeru Ban is a stunning fusion of luxury and nature. With open spaces, ocean views, and a seamless blend of architecture and landscape, itโ€™s where design breathes in harmony with the wild. 
๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/a-harmonious-fusion-of-luxury-and-nature/

#VillaVista #ShigeruBan #SustainableLuxury #TropicalEscape #ArchitecturalDream

๐— ๐—ถ๐—ต๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ ๐—›๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ
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Lead Architects: Sumudu Abeygunawardena
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โ€‹Introducing Mihira Home โ€“ a serene pool villa nestled in Ahangama, Sri Lanka, where contemporary design meets tropical tranquility. This thoughtfully renovated retreat offers a harmonious blend of comfort and nature, providing an idyllic escape from the everyday.โ€‹

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/mihira-home/

#MihiraHome #TropicalRetreat #SriLankaVilla #ArchitecturalDesign #AhangamaEscape

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๐— ๐—ถ๐—ต๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ ๐—›๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ
Architects: Sumudu Abeygunawardena Architects
Lead Architects: Sumudu Abeygunawardena
Design Team: Prabhani Abeygunawardena & Sharadha Mallawa Arachchi
Location: Ahangama, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2025
Photographer: Issy Crocker

โ€‹Introducing Mihira Home โ€“ a serene pool villa nestled in Ahangama, Sri Lanka, where contemporary design meets tropical tranquility. This thoughtfully renovated retreat offers a harmonious blend of comfort and nature, providing an idyllic escape from the everyday.โ€‹

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/mihira-home/

#MihiraHome #TropicalRetreat #SriLankaVilla #ArchitecturalDesign #AhangamaEscape

๐——๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—™๐—น๐—ผ๐—ฎ๐˜, ๐—•๐˜‚๐—ถ๐—น๐˜ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฅ๐˜‚๐—น๐—ฒ
A masterpiece of architecture and governance. Sri Lankaโ€™s Parliament stands proudly amidst the waters of Diyawanna Lake. Where vision meets leadership.
๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/democracy-or-elitism/
#SriLanka #Parliament #ArchitecturalMarvel

Apr 28

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๐——๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—™๐—น๐—ผ๐—ฎ๐˜, ๐—•๐˜‚๐—ถ๐—น๐˜ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฅ๐˜‚๐—น๐—ฒ
A masterpiece of architecture and governance. Sri Lankaโ€™s Parliament stands proudly amidst the waters of Diyawanna Lake. Where vision meets leadership. 
๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/democracy-or-elitism/
#SriLanka #Parliament #ArchitecturalMarvel

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Lead Architect: Kosala Weerasekara
Project Architects: Sithija Shehan, Jenushan Satkunarajaha & Chalni Vithanage
Location: Kadawatha, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: MAD Factory

Discover the serenity of the Residence at Kadawatha by KWCA โ€“ Kosala Weerasekara Chartered Architects. This architectural masterpiece seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a timeless retreat for a family of four. With features like lush courtyards, a signature outdoor shower, and sustainable materials, it`s a perfect harmony of design and nature.โ€‹

๐—˜๐˜…๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: archalley.com/residence-at-kadawatha

#KadawathaResidence #KWCA #SriLankanArchitecture #TropicalModernism #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalInspiration

Apr 23

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๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—ž๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ฎ๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ
Architects: KWCA โ€“ Kosala Weerasekara Chartered Architects
Lead Architect: Kosala Weerasekara
Project Architects: Sithija Shehan, Jenushan Satkunarajaha & Chalni Vithanage
Location: Kadawatha, Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: MAD Factory

Discover the serenity of the Residence at Kadawatha by KWCA โ€“ Kosala Weerasekara Chartered Architects. This architectural masterpiece seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a timeless retreat for a family of four. With features like lush courtyards, a signature outdoor shower, and sustainable materials, it's a perfect harmony of design and nature.โ€‹

๐—˜๐˜…๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: archalley.com/residence-at-kadawatha

#KadawathaResidence #KWCA #SriLankanArchitecture #TropicalModernism #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalInspiration

Trailblazer in concrete and culture โ€” ๐— ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜๐—ฒ ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ ๐—ฆ๐—ถ๐—น๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ carved a path as Sri Lankaโ€™s first female architect, blending modernism with tradition to shape a legacy that still inspires today.

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/minette-de-silva/

#MinnetteDeSilva #ArchitecturalPioneer #WomenInArchitecture

Apr 16

Open
Trailblazer in concrete and culture โ€” ๐— ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜๐—ฒ ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ ๐—ฆ๐—ถ๐—น๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ carved a path as Sri Lankaโ€™s first female architect, blending modernism with tradition to shape a legacy that still inspires today. 

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: https://archalley.com/minette-de-silva/

 #MinnetteDeSilva #ArchitecturalPioneer #WomenInArchitecture

โ€œ๐Ÿฏ๐Ÿด๐Ÿดโ€ ๐—ข๐—น๐˜†๐—บ๐—ฝ๐˜‚๐˜€

Architects: PLAD
Lead Architect: Piumal Liyanage
Project Team: Shiwantha Appuhami
Location: Athurugiriya Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2025
Photographer: Ganidu Balasuriya Photography

Discover elevated living at 388 Olympus โ€” an architectural masterpiece in the heart of Colombo. With sweeping city views, luxurious finishes, and world-class amenities, this residence blends modern design with timeless elegance. Experience life at the top.

- ๐—ฃ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ธ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ณ๐˜‚๐—น๐—น ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—ผ

#388Olympus #LuxuryLifestyle #ColomboLiving #ModernElegance #Archalley

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โ€œ๐Ÿฏ๐Ÿด๐Ÿดโ€ ๐—ข๐—น๐˜†๐—บ๐—ฝ๐˜‚๐˜€

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Lead Architect: Piumal Liyanage
Project Team: Shiwantha Appuhami
Location: Athurugiriya Sri Lanka
Project Year: 2025
Photographer: Ganidu Balasuriya Photography

Discover elevated living at 388 Olympus โ€” an architectural masterpiece in the heart of Colombo. With sweeping city views, luxurious finishes, and world-class amenities, this residence blends modern design with timeless elegance. Experience life at the top.

- ๐—ฃ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ธ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ณ๐˜‚๐—น๐—น ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—ผ

#388Olympus #LuxuryLifestyle #ColomboLiving #ModernElegance #Archalley
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