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| Santana Residence |
| Deleon Residence |
Of Patios and PorchesPatio is one of the misused words in architecture. The word Patio is used on plans and in descriptions to describe almost anything close to an outdoor living area. However, The word "Patio" is a spanish word that translates into english as "Courtyard". No other definition or translation, just Courtyard. A Courtyard is a space surrounded by walls and open to the sky. It may be rather large, or fairly small, but the two defining factors of a Courtyard are enclosed by walls (fences and hedges are acceptable), and open to the sky (See FIG 1).Putting a roof over a Courtyard, or a portion of a Courtyard changes it to, a "Porch". A Porch is defined as an outside area covered by a roof. A Porch may be open to a yard on three sides, two sides, or even just one side, but a Porch is open to an outside area and covered by a roof (See FIG 1). Porches can be of various sizes an designated uses. A small, 36"x36" porch at the front door might be called a Portico. A large porch at the front door and extending over the driveway is often called a Porto Cochere (See FIG 2). A large porch on the side of a house intended to shelter your car is called a Carport. A Veranda (Verandah) is a Porch that, traditionally, wraps around the building and is intended for sitting. A porch that extends the full face of the building can also be called a Veranda (See FIG 3). A large porch intended for sitting, entertaining, or other living activities can be called a Lanai, or simply a Porch. Enclosing a Porch with screening is acceptable, but enclosing a Porch with walls, windows, sliding glass doors, or any other obstruction to the breeze turn a porch into an inside area and a room. That room could be called a Family Room, a Den, A Playroom, or even a Florida Room.
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