bottenplatta

The term bottenplatta is Swedish for “bottom plate” or “base plate” and is used in several contexts, most commonly in construction, furniture design and engineering. In construction it refers to a horizontal structural element that forms the lower boundary of a space. A typical example is the lower portion of a wall or the floor slab that provides a stable platform for loads above. The bottenplatta may be made from concrete, metal, or timber, depending on the application, and is often designed to distribute weight evenly and attach to vertical supports such as studs or columns.

In the furniture industry bottenplatta denotes the base of a piece of furniture, such as a tabletop or a bookcase. The base plate may serve both a structural role—holding the top panels in place—and an aesthetic one, giving the item a finished look. Common materials include wood, metal or composite panels. Many office and industrial desks feature a bottenplatta that anchors the desktop to the legs, improving stability and allowing easy height adjustment in modular designs.

Engineers and designers also use bottenplatta to describe a base platform for equipment, tools or machinery. In machine toolframes the base plate is usually a heavy steel slab that absorbs vibrations and provides mounting points for mechanical parts. Precise tolerances are crucial so that the superstructures can maintain alignment.

Because the term is applied across disciplines, the design specifications of a bottenplatta vary widely. Typical considerations include bearing capacity, material strength, thermal expansion, and compatibility with adjoining components. When purchasing or specifying a bottenplatta, professionals consult relevant standards—such as Swedish and European construction norms—to ensure safety, durability and integration with the overall system.