**Types of Lofts:**
– Loft and Attic:
– In the US, a loft is an upper room under the roof mainly used for storage in barns.
– British usage distinguishes lofts as roof spaces accessed via a hatch and attics as rooms under the roof accessed by a staircase.
– Lofts may have specific purposes like organ lofts in churches or sleeping lofts.
– Attics or lofts can be converted into functional living spaces.
– Loft Apartment:
– Loft apartments are typically repurposed from former industrial buildings.
– They are often part of urban renewal initiatives promoting arts districts.
– Originally popular with artists, they are now sought-after by bohemians and hipsters.
– Gentrification of former manufacturing sectors often includes loft apartments.
– Real estate developers create ready-made lofts in urban areas undergoing gentrification.
– Industrial/Hard Loft:
– Hard lofts are former industrial buildings converted into residential or live/work spaces.
– They retain open ceilings with exposed beams, wiring, and HVAC ducts, preserving historical industrial character.
– Soft lofts, in contrast, are newly built loft-style residential buildings with modern finishes but lack the character of hard lofts.
– Other Lofts:
– Commercial lofts refer to upper storey space in commercial or industrial buildings, often with mezzanine areas for storage or offices.
– Live/work lofts are residential units in commercially zoned buildings, protected by loft laws.
– Mould lofts in shipyards are used for laying out full-size ship lines.
**Specialized Work Lofts:**
– Rigging Loft:
– A rigging loft is an elevated area in a shipyard for workers fitting rigging.
– It provides a higher vantage point for rigging work, essential in shipbuilding and maintenance.
– Workers stand in rigging lofts to work on ship rigging efficiently, contributing to safety and operational efficiency.
– Parachute Loft:
– A parachute loft is a large, open space used for packing and maintaining parachutes.
– Parachute riggers work in these specialized spaces to ensure proper storage and maintenance, crucial for parachute safety and functionality.
– Sail Loft:
– Sail loft is a large open space for sailmakers, essential for sewing sails efficiently.
– The floor must be spacious for laying out and cutting canvas for sails.
**Architectural Lofts:**
– Church Architecture:
– Some churches have choir lofts for singers during services.
– Organ lofts in churches may or may not have space for musicians.
– Triforiums in churches may contain watching-lofts, common architectural features in churches.
**Loft Conversions:**
– Converting part of a home into a loft creates extra rooms.
– Common loft conversions include adding bedrooms or studies.
– Attic areas in buildings are often unused but can provide significant additional floor space when converted.
**Miscellaneous Lofts:**
– Pigeon Loft:
– Pigeon lofts are housing for domestic pigeons, traditionally found in nobility palaces and commercial buildings.
– They typically consist of a cage or aviary and a nest box.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2010) |
A loft is a building's upper storey or elevated area in a room directly under the roof (American usage), or just an attic: a storage space under the roof usually accessed by a ladder (primarily British usage). A loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use (a converted loft) from some other use, often light industrial. Adding to the confusion, some converted lofts themselves include upper open loft areas.
Definition from ChatGPT:
Loft:
"Loft" typically refers to a large, open space under a roof, often found in industrial or commercial buildings that have been converted into living spaces. It can also refer to a gallery or upper level within a building, usually accessed by a ladder or staircase. In interior design, "loft" can also describe a style characterized by open floor plans, high ceilings, and industrial elements like exposed brick or ductwork.