A few weeks ago I toured the Kenwood Inn & Spa and they had a delightful loggia that extended from their main building into a charming courtyard. It reminded me how much I love a loggia! I’ve stayed in various hotels and visited several European sites over the years that also had loggias. I was so charmed by my visit to the Lisbon Tile Museum, I turned the arches I photographed into an art print that’s for sale in my shop.
I thought I’d start a new series that spotlights architectural features, so I’ll start with the classic loggia. Loggia is Italian for ‘lodge’ and the structure dates back to the Roman era. Romans loved city buildings and countryside villas built around a courtyard where they could stroll in the breeze while protected from the sun and elements. Loggias were designed to extend the living space and also allow air to circulate through a structure without damage from storms or sun.
A loggia is a space or corridor on the lower floor with a covered roof that’s integrated into the main structure. Typically it runs along the facade, faces a courtyard or garden, and is only accessible from the structure itself. The loggia is supported by columns or decorative arches and expands the living or lounging space of a building or residence. In modern residences, it’s used as a living or dining space to appreciate the fresh air and the views of the gardens just beyond. Examples below!
italian revival – ken tate architect
via houzz
What a great post (and great pictures). I love architecture. I have question… what is a lanai (spelling?) Is it the same or similar to a loggia? When I was in Hawaii a few years back, they called these same areas on the house we were staying in a lanai.
Beautiful! Glad to know the name of this!