**Types of Terraces:**
– Ground Terraces:
– Used for leisure activities like sitting, strolling, or resting
– Often in front of monumental buildings, reached by grand staircase
– Supported by embankment or solid foundation
– May be platforms supported by columns
– Always open to the sky, may or may not be paved
– Roof Terraces:
– Flat roof areas used for social activities
– Rooftop terraces in Venice known as ‘altana’
– Altana originally for drying laundry, now for social purposes
**Historical Significance of Terraces:**
– Agricultural terracing dates back to prehistoric times
– Early architectural terracing found in the Middle East
– Terraces used extensively in Greece and Roman Empire
– Temples in Java and Cambodia built on terraces
– Traditional Thai homes built around central terrace
**Related Structures:**
– Balcony
– Band stand
– Deck
– Gazebo
– Patio
**References:**
– Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture
– Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction
– A Visual Dictionary of Architecture
– Studies in the Archaeology of the Iron Age in Israel and Jordan
– Buddhist Architecture
A terrace is an external, raised, open, flat area in either a landscape (such as a park or garden) near a building, or as a roof terrace on a flat roof.
Definition from ChatGPT:
Terrace (building):
A terrace in the context of a building refers to an outdoor area, often elevated, that is attached to or built onto a structure. Terraces are typically used as outdoor living spaces where people can relax, entertain, or enjoy views of the surrounding area. They may be partially or fully enclosed, and can vary in size and design depending on the building and its location.