exterieur

Exterieur is a term used in several languages to denote the outer part of something or the outdoor environment. In French, the standard spelling is extérieur, meaning outside or exterior. The form exterieur (without the accent) appears in older texts, in signage, or in contexts influenced by Dutch or other languages. In Dutch, exterieur is the common word for the exterior of a building, vehicle, or object, with interieur used for the interior.

The term is applied across disciplines to distinguish the outside from what is inside. In architecture and construction, exterieur refers to façades, exterior walls, roofs, and outdoor spaces, as well as the overall external appearance of a structure. In urban planning and landscape design, discussions of exterieur focus on how buildings relate to street life, climate, and surroundings. In design and product contexts, exterieur or exterior finish describes the outside surfaces, colors, materials, and protective treatments of a product. In photography and film, exterior shots denote scenes filmed outdoors, contrasting with interior settings.

Etymologically, exterieur derives from the Latin exterior, via French. The general concept remains consistent across languages: it denotes what lies on or toward the outside, as opposed to the interior or inner aspects.