Pohjakerros

Pohjakerros is the lowest floor of a building that is at or near ground level. It is typically the floor that forms the base of the structure and often includes the main entrance or access to the outside. In many architectural plans it is regarded as the ground-level storey.

The term is distinct from kellari, which refers to a basement that is entirely below ground level. Pohjakerros can be partially below grade in some designs, but it is still considered the ground floor in plan drawings and daily reference.

In residential buildings, pohjakerros commonly contains living spaces such as the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms, and may also house utility rooms, storage, or a garage. In apartment buildings, it can include ground-floor units. In commercial or mixed-use buildings, pohjakerros may host shops, entrances, lobbies, or offices.

From a construction and design perspective, the pohjakerros often requires careful waterproofing, drainage, and insulation due to its proximity to the surrounding soil. Windows on this floor are typically at or near ground level, and accessibility features such as level entrances or ramps are commonly considered to facilitate access from the street.

Terminology can vary by region and project, but in Finnish real estate and architectural practice, pohjakerros denotes the ground-level floor of a building, distinct from the fully subterranean kellari.