A veranda or verandah is a roofed opened gallery or porch.[1] It is also described as an open pillared gallery, generally roofed, built around a central structure.[2] It is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure.[3]
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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word verandah originated in India where it is found in several native languages. However, it may have been an adaptation of the Portuguese or older Spanish varanda (baranda or barandilla in modern Spanish), again borrowed from Indian languages, referring to a railing, balustrade or balcony. The distinctive style of Indian architecture evolved from a hybrid of east and west. The veranda is one of the many new hybrid architectural elements.[4]
Although the form "verandah" is correct and very common, some authorities prefer the version without an h (the Oxford English Dictionary gives the h version as a variant, and the Guardian Style Guide says "veranda not verandah").
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 by its large verandas, often in the Filigree style.
The Creole Townhouse in New Orleans, Louisiana is also noted for its prominent use of verandas.
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