Setback is an architectural term that refers to the distance a building or structure is positioned behind the property line or the established building line. It is a crucial aspect of urban planning and building regulations, aimed at ensuring proper spacing between buildings, preserving open spaces, and maintaining a consistent streetscape. Setbacks are typically measured from the property line to the exterior wall of the building and can vary depending on the zoning regulations, building codes, and the specific location of the property. These regulations often dictate minimum setback distances for front, side, and rear yards, which can influence the placement and design of buildings on a given site. Setbacks serve multiple purposes, such as promoting public safety, allowing for the provision of utilities and services, ensuring adequate light and ventilation, and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of neighborhoods. They also play a role in managing density, preserving privacy, and reducing the visual impact of buildings on adjacent properties. In some cases, setbacks may be used to create a buffer zone between different land uses, such as residential and commercial areas, to minimize potential conflicts. The specific setback requirements can vary significantly between jurisdictions and may be influenced by factors such as the type of building, its height, and the zoning district in which it is located.
urban planning, building regulations, zoning, building codes, streetscape
Setback is a term that has various meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In architecture, setback refers to the distance that a building must be set back from a property line or street. This requirement is usually imposed by local building codes or zoning regulations, and it serves several purposes. One of the main purposes of setback is to create a sense of openness and space between buildings, which can improve the overall aesthetic appeal of a neighborhood or city. Setback can also help to prevent the spread of fire and disease by creating a buffer zone between buildings. Additionally, setback can help to reduce noise pollution and improve safety by providing more space for pedestrians and vehicles. In addition to its use in architecture, setback can also refer to an obstacle or impediment that hinders progress or causes a delay. This type of setback can occur in various contexts, such as in business, sports, or personal life. Setbacks can be frustrating and discouraging, but they can also provide opportunities for growth and learning. Overcoming setbacks requires resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt and change course when necessary. Overall, setback is a term that can be used in various contexts, but it generally refers to a distance or obstacle that must be overcome. Whether in architecture or in life, setbacks can be challenging, but they can also provide opportunities for growth and improvement.
architecture, zoning, buffer zone, safety, obstacle, growth
Setback is a term commonly used in architecture and urban planning to describe a requirement that buildings must be constructed a certain distance away from a street, property line or other structures. The idea of setback is to create an area of open space between buildings and streets, which provides a buffer zone to aid in the prevention of noise, fire, and disease as well as promote safety, privacy, and aesthetic appeal. By ensuring that a building is properly set back from the street and other structures, the setback requirement ensures that a building remains aesthetically pleasing and creates a safer environment for the occupants. Setback is a key element of urban planning which helps to maintain a healthy and efficient urban environment.
Building, Space, Distance, Street, Property.
Setback is a term used in architecture to describe the distance between a building and a property line, or the distance between two buildings on a property. It is a way of controlling the scale and mass of a building, and it allows for more sunlight to reach the lower levels of a building and its surrounding areas. Setback is a way of providing a sense of open space, and of creating a more harmonious relationship between buildings and their surrounding environment. It is often used to create a visually pleasing effect, or to maintain a certain level of privacy. It can also be used to create a sense of enclosure, or to open up a space. It is an important part of urban planning and of creating a pleasant and safe urban environment.
Planning, Design, Scale, Mass, Open Space
Masonry is a form of architecture that has been used for centuries to create stunning structures. The term “setback” is used in masonry architecture to refer to a space or gap that is created within a wall or set of walls. This space usually serves as a buffer zone between the wall and the building that the wall is attached to. This buffer zone allows for a greater degree of thermal insulation and also serves to give the building a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Additionally, setbacks can also be used to allow for more room within a building, while also providing a level of protection from the elements.
Insulation, protection, aesthetics, air flow, space.
Setback is a noun. It is defined as an event or situation that causes a temporary delay or setback in progress. Synonyms for the word include obstacle, barrier, hindrance, drawback, and impediment. Antonyms include advantage, benefit, and help. Cognates for the word include the Spanish word “retroceso”, the French word “recule”, and the German word “ Rückschritt”. Variants of the word include set back, setbackter, setbacking, and setbackted.
Etymology Morphology Word Setback, Lexicology, Lexicographer, Derivation, Synonymy, Antonymy
The word ‘setback’ has linguistic origins in the late 16th century (1580-1589) from the Old French term ‘establecement’, a combination of the French roots ‘establir’ and ‘cerément’ meaning ‘to fix firmly’ and ‘a decree’ with an interpretive meaning of ‘establishing’, ‘establishing firmly’, or ‘a fixed condition.’ The historical evolution of the word is interesting, as the term gradually changed to the modern ‘setback’, the term being first used in writing in 1601. Morphologically speaking, the word is part of English derivation, with an English suffix ‘-back’. This suffix has been in use since the early 15th century and is used to indicate a movement back; as in ‘turnback’ or ‘drawback.’ The pragmatics of the word ‘setback’ means to fix firmly, establish, or put in place.
Etymology, Morphology, Word, Meaning, Decree, Establish.
CITATION : "Henry Fontaine. 'Setback.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=221605 (Accessed on May 25, 2025)"
Setback is a term used to describe an obstacle or impediment that hinders progress or an unfavourable event or occurrence. In this context, it may refer to a setback in language learning, for instance when faced with a linguistic challenge such as a lack of language proficiency or unfamiliarity with the target language. Equivalent words for Setback in other languages may include défaite (French), rückschlag (German), pieghevole (Italian), revers (Spanish), desvantagem (Portuguese), неудача (Russian), 逆境 (Chinese), and hendak pisah (Malay).
Hindrance, obstacle, impediment, challenge, handicap, block, hind, snag, reverse, discouragement, difficulty, snag, failure, adversity, misfortune, mischance, stumbling block, misfortune, set down, difficulty, declination, impedimenta, prohibition, prohib
Setback is a principle of architecture in which a building is set back from the street line in order to provide a unified streetscape for nearby buildings. This principle is also used as a way to maintain an ideal proportion between the height of the building and the width of the street. Famous examples of this principle in action are the Flatiron Building in New York City and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Setback is a major factor in city planning and zoning, allowing the creation of outdoor spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and provide a sense of openness for pedestrians.
Architecture, Design, Streetscape, Proportion.
Setbacks are a fundamental design tool used by architects to create space and provide an aesthetic appeal to buildings. On a tactical level, setbacks are used to create a pleasing and orderly appearance while also allowing for more space, light, and air to be provided to the occupants. On a strategic level, setbacks are used to create visual interest and hierarchy in a building. A setback can be achieved by either pushing the building back from the street line or by moving the frontage of the building inward, creating a stepped effect. Setbacks can also be used to add depth and complexity to a building, providing a multi-dimensional element that adds to the visual appeal of the structure. By utilizing setbacks, architects and designers can create a more dynamic, balanced, and aesthetically pleasing building.
architecture, setback, design, frontage, depth, visual interest.
Setback, in the context of architecture, is a spatial relationship between a building and a property line. It is the amount of land that a structure must be set back from the edge of the lot line in order to comply with local ordinances. The setback distance determines the position of the building on the lot, and it also influences the total footprint of the building. Setback defines the area that is available for other elements such as landscaping, parking, sidewalks, driveways, and patios. The setback requirements are usually dictated by the local building code, zoning regulations, or by deed restrictions.
Building setback, zoning setback, property line setback, local ordinance setback, development setback.
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