Stilt houses or pile dwellings or palafitte are houses raised on piles over the surface of the soil or a body of water. Stilt houses are built primarily as a protection against flooding, but also serve to keep out vermin. The shady space under the house can be used for work or storage.
SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stilt_house
SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stilt_house
