Alcove
|
|
An alcove is a recess that opens into a room or other space, partially enclosed by vertical elements such as walls, pillars, balustrades, and so on.
In medieval architecture, alcoves often featured in halls, separated from the main space by curtains or timber partitions. In Roman and Renaissance architecture, alcoves were adapted to become tall, elegant semi-circular spaces hollowed out of thick walls and used to display statues and sculptures.
In more modern architecture, bed and kitchen alcoves developed as a way of conserving space in constricted buildings such as residential apartments. They now often appear to one side of a chimney breast.
Smaller alcoves can be used to contain ornaments, shelving, and so on. When designed carefully they can create attractive focal points and enhance the character of a particular room.
Alcoves may be designed to blend into their surroundings as architectural features, and may include shelving, concealed lighting, a glass front and so on. Small rectangular or square box alcoves are popular in contemporary architecture, often painted a deeper, or contrasting, colour to the rest of the room. This helps to give a greater impression of depth.
When designing an alcove, or adapting a space to incorporate one, it is important to consider the space that will 'lost', as often, to achieve the required recess, a wall will need to be brought forward. New runs of skirting or cornicing may also be required, as well as new positions for power sockets.
It should also be borne in mind that there could be services running through the existing wall, which may need to be re-routed, or may need to remain accessible.
Cracking can also be a problem where new plaster meets old plaster. To avoid this, the wall should be properly skimmed to a minimum of 400 mm beyond the point where the two types of plaster meet. Manufacturers offer a wide variety of plaster casts for whole alcoves.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
A form of procurement where the contractor provides a single point of contact for a supply chain.
A month after the devastating fire, emergency reconstruction works are underway.
The London Build Expo is hosting a Diversity in Construction panel and networking session on October 24.
Mortar analysis for specifiers
Analysis can help develop a specification, but must not lead to inappropriate specifications being accepted.
Dos and don'ts for creating a smart home.
New ICE publication recommends pay-as-you-go tax to fund roads and other financing options.
BSRIA launches a White Paper on wearable technology and wellbeing in buildings.
Have the pressures of the market shredded the core values of professionalism?
Lead times are a measure of the amount of time that elapses between initiating and completing a construction process.