Ancillary area
An ancillary area of a building is an area that supports the function/s of the primary areas, that is, it is not part of the primary purpose of the building, but is required in order that the primary purpose can function.
Examples of ancillary areas include:
- Plant rooms.
- Cleaners’ rooms.
- ICT rooms.
- Building services rooms.
- Storage rooms.
- Circulation spaces.
In shared buildings, an ancillary area might support more than one occupant, e.g. a shared kitchen, meeting spaces, utility areas, and so on.
In residential buildings, ancillary areas include spaces which do not form part of the main dwelling directly, but nonetheless add some useful value, e.g. patio area, office, garage, conservatory, porch, utility room, and so on.
NB Planning Gateway One – Glossary, published on the Planning Portal, defines ancillary accommodation as: ‘Rooms or spaces in a building used to support the residential use, such as refuse stores, cycle stores, plant rooms and storerooms.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.