definition
strict definition
garden floor
An otherwise regular floor partly below and partly above the surrounding ground surface at the building perimeter.
A garden floor is an otherwise regular but partly sunken floor, which is partly below the surface of the earth at the building's perimeter, and partly above it. The windows of a garden floor usually open onto a dug-out trough, or are located close to the ceiling.
The level crosses the ground surface rather than lying fully underground. That partial exposure distinguishes it from a basement under the floor-type definitions.
A window trough or high-set windows are usual consequences of the partly sunken position. Their presence is not a separate requirement for every garden floor.
Related definitions
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attic
A floor level where regular human movement is impeded by the shape of the roof above it. -
basement
An underground floor level of regular height, suitable for human movement or occupancy. -
crawl space
A partial floor level less than 2 meters high, with insufficient headroom for most adults to walk upright. -
mechanical floor
A full floor level above ground filled with mechanical equipment and not generally accessible to occupants. -
mechanical penthouse
A mechanical floor level at the top of a building which is set back from the building's perimeter. -
mezzanine
A floor level above ground which does not fill the entire space within the building's perimeter. -
missing floor
A floor level which does not exist, and is skipped in a building's numbering system. -
ramped floor
A floor level above ground, with a sloping floor surface which connects to other levels. -
regular floor
A normal and occupiable floor level which is fully above the base level of a building or structure. -
stem level
A level in the stem of a tower or a building, with no greater extent than a stairway landing or the equivalent. -
unaligned floor
A floor level which is vertically offset from adjoining floor levels by at least half a meter.