What is a rear house?
A rear house (Dutch: achterhuis) is the back section of a town house or farmstead, located at the garden or courtyard side of the building. In Amsterdam canal houses and similar urban dwellings, the rear house is the building section at the back, often reached via a corridor or linking structure. In farmsteads, it is typically the barn, stable or working area.
Application
The rear house is found in various building types:
Canal houses and town houses
In the typical Amsterdam canal house, the building consists of:
- Front house — the section facing the street or canal, containing the formal reception rooms
- Linking section — a narrower connecting structure, sometimes with a light well or courtyard
- Rear house — the section facing the garden, often the same width as the front house
The rear house was often added in the 17th and 18th centuries to existing front houses. It typically contained the kitchen, scullery and bedrooms. The garden or courtyard in between provided natural light.
Farmsteads
In traditional Dutch farmsteads, the rear house refers to:
- Hall house — the rear house contains the threshing floor and animal stalls
- Head-neck-body farmstead — the rear house (the body) is the barn
- Long-facade farmstead — the rear section houses the stable and storage
Historical context
The rear house of the canal property at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam became world-famous as the hiding place of Anne Frank and her family during the Second World War.
Related terms
- Front house
- Farmstead
- Storey
- Basement
- Facade
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