Japanese designer Masato Sekiya elevated this house so that it would fit over the humped site in Ashiya, Japan. Called Lifted House, the residence is framed by woods and has a view of the ocean in the distance from the upper storey. More about Masato Sekiya on Dezeen: A Mono Struct House by Masato Sekiya (June 2010) House for Three Children by Masato Sekiya (June 2010) Photographs are by Akira Kita. Here’s a little more information from Masato Sekiya:
Location is On the northen side of the hills surrounding Ashiya city in Hyogo Prefecture. The piece of land is 900m sq and humped like a house’s back. It faces south and on its north side is woods so landscaping and the building’s setting in its enviroment were prime considerations. In deciding floor height, I designed the kitchen with a view of the ocean in distance, and calculated the storey below accordingly. Click above for larger image By lifting most of the upstairs, it was not necessary to alter the contours of the land. Click above for larger image