Terrace (building)

The terrace (from Latin terra = earth, soil ) is a non- covered platform at or below the ground floor level of a building that is designed for outdoor living. The substructure ( the substructure ) of terraces requires stone retaining walls or construction of concrete or wood. The pad is often made of wood, concrete or natural stone, but it can also consist of other materials.

In a figurative sense today also platforms on the roof ( roof terrace) or at the level of the upper floor are called terraces, architectural history correct term for the latter is Söller or arbor.

On Mountains or suitable terrain levels with good view special, ground-level viewing decks are often created. As such large platforms are referred to lookouts.

Use

The terrace is a free seat. As an architectural element it often creates a transition between the interior of a building and the adjoining garden. The adjacent rooms are usually open with large windows and doors to the terrace. The platform itself may be designed as a sheltered outdoor area in that it is partially covered or shaded by an awning or a pergola. The garden can be connected directly to the terrace, or are on a deeper level (or higher level on slopes ) and connected by stairs or ramps to the platform. The area of ​​a terrain terrace can also be used for self- installation of a garden.

On the sunny side of the mountain huts are often wooden terraces for the hospitality operations and grown for sunbathing.

History

In the early history, as for example in Egypt and Mesopotamia, all the palaces were built on terraces, to compensate for the uneven ground, for example in Persepolis. The most famous terrace house were the Hanging Gardens of Semiramis.

In ancient Roman times terraces were created for private homes ( for example, villas). Later, they also occur in the Norman and Hohenstaufen buildings. In the late Middle Ages, people relied on the arcaded courtyards of palaces roof terraces, which are lined since the Baroque with balustrades.

In Islamic architecture, they form the upper end of buildings. Be found in mosques and secular buildings. Such a terrace of large dimensions is the Esplanade of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, on the rise of the Rock and al -Aqsa Mosque.

A terrace house in Germany was the ARAG - terrace house in Dusseldorf.

Terms in Germany

The area of ​​the terrace / roof terrace, according Living Regulation ( WoFIV ) used from 1 January 2004 is not for the calculation of heating costs, but can be used for the determination of rent by a qualitative assessment of their potential uses with usually 1/4 to 1/ 2 of their actual area included in the calculation of living space with.