Stunning Homes Built Into Cliffs

For anyone who suffers from a fear of heights, it is easy to understand why cliffside homes might seem like the last place they would want to live. Fortunately, a new book published by Lannoo Publishers allows readers to explore some of these extraordinary properties from a safe distance. Written by Agata Toromanoff, In Living on the Edge: Houses on Cliffs examines more than 40 homes and structures built in locations that many people would consider impossible or unsuitable for construction.

“In my books, I always focus on aspects that make architecture special,” Toromanoff explains. Living on the edge involves creating buildings in some of the most demanding environments imaginable, often surrounded by landscapes that remain largely untouched by development.

The challenge is not simply the physical difficulty of constructing a building on a cliff or remote mountain. Architects must also consider how their designs can interact with the surrounding natural environment without causing unnecessary harm. Successfully achieving both goals makes these projects particularly remarkable.

Toromanoff finds it especially interesting to examine contemporary examples from around the world and observe how architects develop creative solutions for difficult sites. These projects demonstrate new approaches to architecture while also showing how the discipline continues to change and adapt to challenging environments.

Below are nine remarkable cliffside houses and shelters where everyday living requires a considerable amount of courage.

Alpine Shelter Skuta by OFIS Architects

The 12-square-meter Alpine Shelter Skuta appears almost embedded within the rugged peaks of Slovenia’s Kamnik Alps. Located in Zgorne Jezersko, Slovenia, the compact structure was designed to provide practical shelter at extremely high elevations.

The shelter was prefabricated before being transported by helicopter and positioned directly on the mountain. OFIS Architects created the project in collaboration with students participating in a studio at Harvard Graduate School of Design. Their objective was to develop a functional shelter that could withstand the demanding conditions found at very high altitudes.

Set among the surrounding rocky peaks, the small structure demonstrates how architecture can provide useful living space even in environments where conventional construction would be exceptionally difficult.