When we think about cities, we often assume the orthogonal grid is the norm: neat, predictable, and rational. However, many urban areas around the world, notably those shaped by hills and uneven terrain, defy this convention. In cities like Lisbon, in Portugal orthogonal grids appear only in flatter zones such as Baixa, while surrounding areas like Alfama adapt organically to topography. These areas create more layered, irregular, and visually dynamic urban forms. Yerevan in Armenia, offers another urban example of this adaptation: the Cascade Complex transforms a steep hill into a terraced public space that connects different city levels while framing panoramic views. For other countries, this response to topography becomes even more critical. Cities like Tegucigalpa in Honduras or Valparaiso in Chile are defined by steep, irregular terrain that requires architects to engage deeply with the land. Designing in these contexts, especially for residential projects, demands technical adaptation and a contextual understanding that allows the slope to become a generative element in the design process.
In this regard, this roundup aims to provide examples of houses that tackle their relationship with topography in different ways. At the same time, it hopes to offer brainstorming ideas for architects looking to design in similar contexts. Interestingly, three strategies became evident when working with sloped terrain: The first is to elevate the structure on stilts, allowing the interior layout to remain horizontal and detached from the irregularities of the land below. The second approach involves creating stepped or terraced forms that follow the slope, dividing the program vertically, and allowing each level to adapt to different elevations. The third builds on the previous two by using the slope itself as a generator for the form, by aligning or contrasting the geometry of the house with the incline. Each one represents a way to work with, rather than against, the topography, transforming constraints into opportunities for spatial richness and deeper integration with the environment.
