Palingsfundering

Palingsfundering, also spelled palingfundering, is a traditional timber pile foundation used in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium for buildings on soft or waterlogged soils such as peat and clay. The system relies on multiple vertical wooden piles driven into the ground, typically beneath the building footprint and sometimes around its perimeter, and linked together by horizontal timbers to form a bearing surface. A timber platform or raft sits on top of the piles, and the structure rests on this platform.

Construction and materials involve wooden piles, usually of oak or larch, driven into the ground with simple tools. The tops of the piles are cut flat to create a level bearing surface, and an outer frame with internal cross-members connects the pile tops. Floors and the building load are distributed across the wooden platform. Infill material may be compacted earth or crushed stone, and drainage was often considered in older designs.

Historically, palingsfundering was common from the medieval period through the 19th century for houses and small structures in low-lying or peat-rich regions. It enabled construction on soils where load-bearing capacity was limited and water levels could vary. The technique is closely associated with canal houses, farm buildings, and other lightweight structures.

Modern relevance is mainly in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings. Palingsfundering has largely been superseded by more durable pile foundations made of concrete or steel, but remnants and reconstructed examples remain part of architectural heritage.