Sokkelkanter

Sokkelkanter are the lower edges or corners of a sokkel, the plinth or base of a building or object. The term refers to the transition area between wall and ground, and it can be found on both exterior and interior parts of a construction. Sokkelkanter help define the base line of a facade or room and can be an element of both function and design.

The primary functions of sokkelkanter are protection and aesthetics. They shield the base of walls from moisture, abrasion, and impact, and they aid in directing water away from the wall. Aesthetically, sokkelkanter provide a visual foundation that can emphasize the building’s proportions and offer a clean transition to the floor or ground level. In many cases, they also serve practical purposes, such as concealing joints between different materials and accommodating different floor heights.

Materials and styles vary with climate, usage, and period. Exterior sokkelkanter are often made from durable materials such as natural stone, brick, or concrete, sometimes finished with mouldings or profiles. Interior sokkelkanter may use tile, terrazzo, or wood, with decorative or plain profiles depending on the design language of the space. In classical architecture, plinth edges might include specific mouldings and profiles that contribute to the building’s overall aesthetics.

Construction and installation typically involve integration with the foundation or flooring system, sometimes including waterproofing layers and precise height alignment to ensure a clean boundary with the wall and floor. Sokkelkanter are related to other base elements such as plinths and skirting boards, and are part of both structural detail and interior or exterior design.