What Is A Floor Building Called? Exploring Architectural Terminology

Ever wondered why building floors are often referred to as “storeys” (or “stories” in US English)? The term “storey” finds its origin in the word “historia,” which means “narrative.” During the medieval era, architectural designs of buildings often featured intricate carvings depicting myths and legends. As buildings soared higher into the sky, these carvings continued upwards, creating a narrative-like progression of visual stories. Consequently, the number of these narrative carvings corresponded with the height of the building. This historical connection between the height of a building and the number of visual narratives carved into its façade eventually led to the adoption of the term “storey” to describe the different levels or floors in a building. In essence, each floor represents a “story” in the vertical narrative of the building’s design, and this fascinating etymology sheds light on why we use this term today.

A storey in a building refers to one of its distinct levels, positioned either above or below other levels within the structure. The concept of storeys is integral to understanding the vertical arrangement of a building’s spaces. For residential properties, it is often regulated that houses should not exceed a height of more than two storeys. This restriction helps maintain the architectural harmony and safety of neighborhoods while providing a clearer picture of what a storey in a building entails.

Do you ever wonder about the distinction between a “storey” and a “floor” in the English language? It’s a common source of confusion, but understanding the difference is important for clear communication. In essence, a “storey” refers to the vertical division of a building, typically separated by walls or other structures, where each storey represents a level within the building. On the other hand, a “floor” can be thought of as the horizontal surface within each storey where people walk, work, or live. To illustrate this, when we refer to a “five-story building,” we are indicating that the building has five distinct vertical divisions or storeys. So, the number of storeys tells us how many levels the building has, while the number of floors within each storey indicates the specific count of horizontal surfaces within each level. This clarification can help prevent confusion when discussing buildings and their architectural features.