Which of the following refers to supports that lift a building off the ground?

The term that refers to supports that lift a building off the ground is pilotis. Pilotis are typically vertical supports, such as columns or pillars, that elevate a building above the ground level, allowing for open space underneath. This architectural feature is commonly associated with modernist architecture and is used to create a sense of lightness and allow for ventilation and drainage.

While columns also function as vertical supports, they do not specifically denote the function of lifting a structure off the ground in the same way pilotis do. Beams serve as horizontal supports that carry loads from above but do not function to elevate a structure. Pilasters are flat, rectangular columns that typically serve a decorative purpose rather than structural elevation. Therefore, pilotis distinctly captures the concept of lifting an entire building off the ground, allowing for improved circulation and the use of space beneath.