Knox Bhavan completes prefabricated, flood-resistent house on stilts

Knox Bhavan has finished a flood-resistant prefabricated house on the River Thames that is raised off the ground by a table of slim, galvanised steel stilts.

The practice worked with modular manufacturer BlokBuild and engineer Price & Myers on a prefabricated cassette system for the single-storey home.

March House stands on a natural flood plain and is designed to withstand the risk of expected flooding for the next 100 years.  It is situated opposite pasture and farmland as well as the beauty spot Winter Hill.

The owner is a former professional dancer who has lived on the site for 19 years. The new property replaces a two-storey detached house built in 1926, which impeded the flow of water when the river flooded.

Galvanised steel stilts are fixed onto concrete piles and support a lightweight steel chassis, giving the house a floating appearance. The panels are made from insulated orientated strand board and are clad in stained larch. Balustrades are galvanised steel and handrails oiled hardwood.

Sasha Bhavan, founding partner at Knox Bhavan, said: “Using MMC directly translated our drawings into a swiftly assembled, ready-to-use external envelope. March House demonstrates how these technologies can be applied to the most specific of briefs.”

Client Elizabeth Rose said: “I am happy to grow older in this inspiring home. I use every room when I’m here alone but equally the house works for entertaining family and friends in its warm and welcoming spaces. I now have an energy-efficient and flood-resilient house.”