Semi
‘Semi’ is a contraction of ‘semi-detached’ and is a term commonly heard among property-buyers and sellers. It describes a semi-detached house which shares a party wall on one side with another house (usually of similar design) while on the other side has no attachment at all.
Hence the term ‘three-bedroom semi’ often implies a house with three bedrooms, two reception rooms and a garden.
Properties that have no adjoining neighbour are described as 'detached', whereas properties with adjoining neighbours on both sides are described as 'terraced'.
The term ‘semi’ need not necessarily imply any particular use of materials or architectural style. It can describe two houses of any style that are joined together. However, for many in the UK, especially England, the term semi will typically conjure up an image of a 1920s- or 1930s-style house with three bedrooms, bay windows and tiled pitched roof.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Protecting employees from hearing damage.
One of the largest office buildings in the world.
Who holds the risk for COVID-19?
Enabling better infrastructure
Insights from New York.
A quick introduction to a very complicated subject.
CIOB suggests the economic reach of construction is double the official figures.
Center for Sustainable Landscapes
The first US building to achieve BREEAM Outstanding In-Use.
70 buildings from 70 years of Concrete Quarterly. Book review.
An early stressed-skin structure
Conserving the iron roof at the Albert Dock.
People, principles and performance
Delivering an infrastructure revolution.
The admissibility of evidence.