What is Pilotis in Architecture?
What is Pilotis in Architecture?
Pilotis are supports, similar to columns, pillars, or stilts, that elevate a building above the ground or water. They can be found in traditional and modern architecture alike, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Functionally
- Support: Pilotis are the primary structural supports for the building above, transferring the weight of the building down to the ground or foundation.
- Flood protection: In areas prone to flooding, pilotis can raise the living space above floodwater levels, protecting the building and its occupants.
- Minimize impact: By using a limited number of support points, pilotis can minimize the building’s footprint on the ground, allowing for less disruption to the natural environment or existing infrastructure.
- Create usable space: The space beneath the building supported by pilotis can be used for various purposes, such as parking, gardens, playgrounds, or public walkways.
Aesthetically
- Lightness and transparency: Pilotis can create a sense of lightness and transparency by raising the building’s main volume, making it appear to float above the ground.
- Openness and connection: The space beneath the building can create a more open and connected feeling between the building and its surroundings.
- Variety of styles: Pilotis can be designed in various styles, from slender and delicate to massive and brutalist, to complement the overall architectural design.
Traditional Uses
- Vernacular architecture: Pilotis were traditionally used in vernacular architecture, particularly in regions near water or with challenging terrain. For example, stilt houses in Southeast Asia and Scandinavia often utilize pilotis to raise living spaces above floodwaters or uneven ground.
- Hurricane and flood protection: In areas prone to hurricanes or floods, pilotis can elevate the habitable portion of a building above storm surge levels, minimizing potential damage.
Modern Architecture
- Le Corbusier’s Five Points: Pilotis gained prominence in modern architecture through the influence of Le Corbusier, who included them in his “Five Points of a New Architecture.” He saw them as a way to create open floor plans, free facades, and a connection between the building and its surroundings.
Examples: Some famous examples of buildings using pilotis include Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier, the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, and the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo.