Hanging Out: 7 Cantilevered Residences Framed in Steel

Steel changed architecture forever. Exploring the material through a residential lens, we’re looking at steel’s capacity to create inspiring forms and spaces.

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Steel changed architecture forever. While it has been produced for thousands of years, it wasn’t until the 19th century and the Industrial Revolution that it began to dramatically shape the built environment. Expanding structural capabilities, steel allowed architects to design to greater heights and farther spans with less material. Today, it has become a leading construction material used in commercial and private developments. While many contemporary steel-framed applications emerge from the public sphere, steel is also increasingly used throughout residential design.

Expanding on steel’s potential to dramatically shape daily life, we’ve drawn together the following collection of cantilevered steel-framed houses. Exploring the material through the lens of residential design, we’re looking at steel’s capacity to create inspiring forms and spaces. Utilizing the cantilever to create specific experiences, the projects were made with steel frame structural systems that allow open circulation, streamlined construction and uninterrupted views.

Two Hulls House by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, NS, Canada

Located in a coastal landscape, the Two Hulls House was designed to float above the shoreline like two ships’ hulls. As an instrument for viewing the landscape, the cantilevered steel-framed home was built to capture the dynamism of the ocean.

T2 by Schwartz/Silver Architects, West Stockbridge, Mass., United States

Taking advantage of its site, T2 stands in stark contrast to the Berkshire Hills. The small, compact design includes a skin made with industrial materials and a 45-foot cantilever opening out to the surrounding views.

Docks Malraux by Heintz-Kehr and Associates, Strasbourg, France

Designed as part of the redevelopment of the Strasbourg’s port area, La Presqu’île Malraux reimagines the old Seegmuller warehouse built in 1932. Situated on the main east-west axis connecting France to Germany, the project includes two low-rise buildings and a 165-foot central tower.

Fly Out House by TTAA /Tatsuyuki Takagi Architects Associates, Japan

Formed as a mixed structure, Fly Out House combines living areas with space for an automobile collection. The cantilevered design takes advantage of a sloping site to create additional usable space.

Lauriston House by Seeley Architects PL, Kyneton, Australia

Responding to its expansive and undulating context, this residence was made to emerge from the landscape and drift above it. A detailed and structured frame combines with a twisting timber roof to reinterpret the character of Kyneton.

River Structures by Paul Hirzel Architect, Juliaetta, Idaho, United States

Paul Hirzel’s River Structures are sited at the end of an existing single lane unpaved road cut into a hillside near Juliaetta. As a live-work space among a winery and vineyard, the project includes two context-specific structures called the Flood Plain House and the Fishing House.

Cantilever House by Design Unit Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Made to lightly touch upon the landscape, this home in Malaysia consists of a two-story living block and an independent recreation structure housing a gallery, cinema, garden and pool. Exposed structural steel was chosen above a ‘forest’ of irregular spaced columns and double glazed, full-height glass screens.

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Author: Eric Baldwin

Based in New York City, Eric was trained in both architecture and communications. As Director of Communications at Sasaki, he has a background spanning media, academia, and practice. He's deeply committed to trying as many restaurants as possible in NYC.