Hi,
I'm trying to find out the reason for a certain building design. The picture below happens to be London, but I've seen this in NYC and Boston. What is the purpose of the half-basement? I've tried to look this up, but I'm probably not using the right term for those couple of steps down. My first thoughts were that the lowest level used to be for storage and it was easier to have a door directly down there, or that these were servants quarters, or that the level of the street has been raised from what it originally was. Perhaps that was even the carriage house at one time? Maybe multiple reasons?
If anyone can give me a definitive answer, and the proper name for it, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
I'm trying to find out the reason for a certain building design. The picture below happens to be London, but I've seen this in NYC and Boston. What is the purpose of the half-basement? I've tried to look this up, but I'm probably not using the right term for those couple of steps down. My first thoughts were that the lowest level used to be for storage and it was easier to have a door directly down there, or that these were servants quarters, or that the level of the street has been raised from what it originally was. Perhaps that was even the carriage house at one time? Maybe multiple reasons?
If anyone can give me a definitive answer, and the proper name for it, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
Last edited by a moderator: