Penthouse

Penthouse with a pool in New York City

A Penthouse is typically an apartment on the highest floor of an apartment building. It usually takes up less than half of the entire (flat) roof of the building.[1] Originally the word penthouse meant a small building with a sloped roof.[2] The modern use of the word started in the 1920s in America. In the age of skyscrapers the "house" on the roof was called a penthouse.[2] A penthouse can also be commercial space.

Types of penthouses

Office buildings have penthouse office suites.[3] Another use for a penthouse is as a restaurant or Café.[4] Their position on a top floor of a building allows for scenic views while dining. The Museum of Modern Art in New York City has a penthouse meeting area.[5] A penthouse can also house a studio, such as a photographic studio.

Building codes

Under some Building codes a penthouse cannot be more than one-third the size of the floor below it.[6] There is no limit to the number of penthouses a building can have. The only limit is the amount of space they can take up (one-third rule).[6] Also, some building codes do not allow mechanical or electrical equipment to count as a penthouse unless they are enclosed by a roof.[6]

  • Marina City in Chicago. The penthouse houses the physical plant.
    Marina City in Chicago. The penthouse houses the physical plant.
  • Museum of Modern Art (NYC). The penthouse houses meeting space.
    Museum of Modern Art (NYC). The penthouse houses meeting space.
  • The penthouse was used for offices of the Hogg family businesses.
    The penthouse was used for offices of the Hogg family businesses.
  • Paris penthouses.
    Paris penthouses.
  • Stalinist luxury: Penthouse at Patriarchy Ponds, Moscow.
    Stalinist luxury: Penthouse at Patriarchy Ponds, Moscow.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Penthouses.
  1. ↑ Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture, ed. Cyril M. Harris (New York: Dover Publications, 1983), p. 408
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Justin Cord Hayes, The Unexpected Evolution of Language (Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2012), pp. 170–171
  3. ↑ Kenneth Allinson; Victoria Thornton, Guide to London's Contemporary Architecture (Burlington : Elsevier Science, 2014), p. 71
  4. ↑ Paul Hogben; Judith O'Callaghan, Leisure Space: The Transformation of Sydney, 1945-1970 (Sydney: NewSouth Publishing, 2014), p. 106
  5. ↑ A Life Roundtable on Modern Art', LIFE (October 11, 1948), pp. 57–57
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Barry D. Yatt, Cracking the Codes: An Architect's Guide to Building Regulations (New York: J. Wiley, 1998), p. 142

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