Elevated Gingerbread House. Gingerbread House has been elevated on masonry (chocolate) blocks to create a freeboard between lowest level of furnished floor and anticipated flood levels. Houses elevated on piers are most appropriate for riverine flood-prone structures. Since solid staircases that block flow under a building is a violation of NFIP free-of-obstruction requirements, the Gingerbread house has an open stair design of flood resistant (red licorice) material. The gingerbread house was designed by Sharon Loper for the FEMA Region 10 Annual Baking Contest and received the "Most Creative Award." Photo: Jeffrey Markham, FEMA Region X