Verandah Of Pine Rivers Shire Hall At Strathpine, Queensland

A veranda or verandah is a roofed, open-air gallery or porch, attached to the outside of a building. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure.

Although the form ''verandah'' is correct and very common, some authorities prefer the version without an "h" (the ''Concise Oxford English Dictionary'' gives the "h" version as a variant and '' The Guardian Style Guide'' says
"veranda not verandah"). Australia's '' Macquarie Dictionary'' prefers ''verandah''.

Architecture styles notable for verandas

Australia

The veranda has featured quite prominently in Australian vernacular architecture and first became widespread in colonial buildings during the 1850s. The Victorian Filigree architecture style is used by residential (particularly terraced houses in Australia and New Zealand) and commercial buildings (particularly hotels) across Australia and features decorative screens of wrought iron, cast iron "lace" or wood fretwork. The Queenslander is a style of residential construction in Queensland, Australia, which is adapted to subtropical climates and characterized in part by its large verandas, which sometimes encircle the entire house.

Brazil

The bandeirista style house from Brazil typically has a veranda positioned to face the sunrise.

Japan

In regions with heavy snowfall, especially Aomori and Niigata prefectures, structures called Gangi-Zukuri ( :ja:雁木造) have been developed since the Edo period. For example, the total length of Gangi in old Takada city is over 16 Kilometers.

Poland

In Poland, the word "weranda" is commonly used for the unheated roofed annex to a house, without walls or with glass walls.

United States

The Creole townhouse in New Orleans, Louisiana, is also noted for its prominent use of verandas. In fact, most houses constructed in the Southern United States before the advent of air conditioning were built with a covered front porch or veranda.

Spanish Colonial architecture (as well as the "Mission style" revivalist version that became popular in the Western United States in the early 1900s) commonly incorporates verandas, both on the exterior of buildings and, in cases of buildings with courtyards, along the interior walls of courtyards. In some cases, homes were constructed with every room opening into a courtyard veranda, rather than interior corridors or direct connections to other rooms.

India

Being a warm, tropical country, porches were a natural idea in India. In North India the porch area is called the Otala, these structures are not only used too cool off, but also as a center of social life, where neighbors can talk and kids play, but also a religious center, where rituals and worship of the Gods can take place. The exact origin of the structure is not yet known, but it appears to date back at least 500 years, making it a well established Indian design.

In Southern India, the term ''thinnai'' is used, and these structures are very common. This area serves a religious purpose in addition to a social one, and is the center of everyday life for many. Konkan's architecture is influenced by nature. It is sustainable and cost effective. In Konkan traditional architecture, the veranda is called "Otti", a semi-open space with low height seating covered with a permanent roof. It serves as a transition space leading to an enclosed environment. Sometimes the sides are covered by wooden jali walls. It offers temporary resting space to house members during the afternoon and evening time.

Sri Lanka

Given its Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, many colonial Sri Lankan bungalows feature verandas. In the Sri Lankan Walauwa (a house once used by headmen under colonial rule) it is used as a space for leisure where families will spend time or read newspapers. Given the rarity of the architectural style in contemporary Sri Lanka houses with verandas are often featured in local films and dramas and symbolise a wealthy household.

Hong Kong

Often appear on the upper floor of the first - third generation of Tong Lau (shophouse) due to lack of space since the 19th century.

See also

* Awning
*Baldresca
* Canopy
* Deck
*Engawa
* Gallery (architecture)
* Lanai (architecture)
* Loggia
* Overhang (architecture)
* Patio
* Porch sitting
*Shophouse
* Terrace

References

External links

Archnet discussion forum on Verandah
* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20130516224159/https://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/csj/040601/sinha.shtml Ajay Sinha Discovers Experimentation in Ancient Indian Temple Design*See more verandahs in th
State Library of Queensland's collection

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Architectural elements
Architecture in Barbados
Hindi words and phrases