Stepped into the slope

I am also just a layperson. However, we once had a similar consideration.

You have already received the note about the soil survey. In the stepped variant, from my point of view, a fairly firm ground must be achieved. Because if this subsides afterwards for whatever reason, your floor slab or the house might crack. In addition, in my opinion, significantly more has to be done regarding waterproofing against moisture in the stepped variant. The static calculation will probably be more demanding. It ultimately depends on the soil quality – hence the survey.

These are just a few points that come to my mind spontaneously as a layperson. Whether they are correct – as I said: I am a layperson.

To me, as a layperson, the architect's argument about the lower earth pressure in the stepped construction method is not clear either. The vertical wall would not only be subjected to the pressure of the slope. The weight of the part of the house resting on it will probably increase the earth pressure. My layperson's opinion.

Our house was built into the slope, but without a concrete slab. Instead, there are strip foundations perpendicular to the slope (i.e., not parallel in the same direction as the "slope pressure"). The front wall of the base (area below the basement) was made thicker. However, the house stands on rock. Only the northern basement wall is in contact with the earth, the largest area of the basement floor (60 out of 90 sqm) lies above the ground, up to 1 m. Due to the rocky subsoil, a split level was necessary in the basement, so the north side has only 2 m ceiling height, but the south side has 2.63 m. Building on a slope is certainly more expensive, but the view is magnificent. From the basement windows (!) we look approximately 6 meters down to the neighbor's roof ridge (!) heading south.

We are also currently building a house into the hillside. We also only have "Lehmboden" and therefore strip foundations perpendicular to the soil/hillside were necessary. The basement had to be partially cast with 30 cm thick walls, so everything where earth will press against later. The structural engineer calculated all of this. And surely such a construction method is more expensive than a "classic" house, but it is also simply something special. :)

We would also like to build a holiday home on a slope without a basement and have some plots in mind for this. Is there any specialized literature on this? The house can also be built on stilts, probably depending on the soil survey? But what can I do in advance since the plots are up for selection: Is it possible to do a cost estimate in advance if you consult a professional?