An elevated house is a house that is on columns or other structure where the first floor is higher then the ground and open underneath. This is mostly done in flood zones so that the house is higher than the flood plain and water can flow underneath.
The most common reason to build an elevated house is because the home is in the flood zone. You can of course build an elevated house anywhere you like.
In the flood zone, you want to elevate your house above the flood plain so that when there is a flood the house will be protected above the water. The house will sit on stilts of wood, concrete, or steel that are open underneath.
You do not want walls under the house in the flood zone because of hydro static pressure. The house will be in danger of being tipped over or knocked off its foundation if there are walls in the flood waters.
If there are only columns under the house, the water can flow freely and not put pressure on the house.
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Credit: Puy UD Home
