Mezzanine

A mezzanine is an intermediate or "half" floor within a building, often projecting over a large enclosed area in the form of a balcony. Some mezzanines wholly encircle the ground floor, leaving a hollow portion in the center through which the floor below can be viewed.

Mezzanines are commonly lined with a low wall or railing for safety. The expanse from the base of the mezzanine to the ceiling is frequently shorter than that of a standard floor height, but this is not always the case. Mezzanines are occasionally stacked atop other mezzanines multiple times, usually in buildings for public assembly or those designed in a distinctive artistic style, such as museums or concert halls.

History of Mezzanines

Mezzanines were popularized as an architectural feature in early Renaissance Italy, where they were frequently used in homes for storage space or to tuck away servants' quarters. They later become a fixture of French architecture (the common alternative name for a mezzanine, entresol, is the French translation of the original Italian term), crossing the ocean to make frequent appearances in the colonial architecture of France's American territories, such as Louisiana.

Mezzanines in the Home

Within the home, the use of a mezzanine can dramatically open up interior space, allowing a living area or hall to dominate the residence. The effect of a two-story room can be quite striking, particularly when its significance is emphasized by the balcony surrounding it. This can lend the home an old-fashioned, almost manorial feel. Mezzanines themselves can be pleasantly isolated areas within the home; the perfect place to read a book in solitude or simply enjoy some quiet.

Business and Industrial Mezzanines

Mezzanines are functional architectural features in addition to being aesthetically pleasing ones. In a theater, stadium, or other large auditorium, mezzanines maximize space by allowing extra floors of seats to be placed without interfering with the view of the performance area.

In a warehouse or industrial setting, mezzanines can be used to place an office or additional storage area above the floor itself, leaving the area below free for use. Industrial mezzanines are commonly made of steel or concrete and are supported by narrow columns, secured together with sufficient rigidity that it is often unnecessary to attach the mezzanine to the building's wall. They often possess a mesh or grill-like floor structure to minimize their weight. Access is via stairs or compact elevators, which can also serve to raise and lower merchandise. Such mezzanines can actually extend far enough to effectively create an additional floor, doubling the allotted storage space.

By Matthew Ingalls