This black wooden house in Austria by Hammerschmid Pachl Seebacher Architekten is raised off the ground on wonky metal stilts to frame views of the landscape and allow room underneath for a sheltered garden (+ slideshow).

Austrian firm Hammerschmid Pachl Seebacher Architekten designed S House for a pair of school teachers in Vorderweissenbach, northern Austria, who asked for a floor area of 130 square metres arranged on a single storey.

There was no requirement for a basement floor, so the architects were able to position the building at the highest point of the sloping site. The front of the structure meets ground level, while the rear is lifted several metres into the air.

Rooms are arranged on a U-shaped plan that wraps around an elevated terrace. Bedrooms and a study run along one side and the other half contains a large living, dining and kitchen space.

"We tried to combine the requirements and the qualities of the plot in a very cost-effective design. The U-shape of the house made a very familiar and protected terrace with stunning views," architect Dietmar Hammerschmid told Dezeen.

The architects gave the building a timber structure, meaning construction could be completed in just four months.

Exterior walls are clad with roughly sawn spruce and were painted matte black using traditional Swedish Falu Rödfarg paint.

"We chose the black paint because the U-shaped building has a very large surface and a dark building integrates better into the surrounding landscape," added Hammerschmid.

Wooden floors run through the house, while large windows frame views towards the surrounding hills.

Here's a brief description from Hammerschmid Pachl Seebacher Architekten:

S House - Vorderweissenbach

Initial situation was a steep, rather small plot of land with excellent views.

The owners required a cost-efficient house with a maximum of 130 square metres of living space. A basement was not necessary. These requirements led to the decision, to base the whole building on pillars.

The U-shaped floor plan responds to the neighbouring settlement. Living rooms and bedrooms are oriented to a terrace that offers great views of the surrounding hills.

Because of the chosen typology the natural terrain could be untouched over the whole plot.

In the garden the building offers a large, weather-protected area.