flankhoek

Flankhoek is a term encountered in Dutch architectural and urban-design discourse to describe a specific corner or angular feature located on the flank or side of a building, block, or landscape element. It denotes how two planes meet along the side of a structure and can refer to a projection, recession, chamfer, or curvature designed into that side interface.

Etymology and scope

The word flankhoek combines flank (side) and hoek (corner or angle) in Dutch. In practice, the term appears in planning drawings, façade studies, and cadastral or geomapping documents to label a particular side-geometry that contributes to the building’s massing, legibility, and interaction with surrounding urban space.

Applications and design considerations

In architecture, a flankhoek may be used to create visual interest, break a long side elevation, or improve wind behavior and daylight distribution at pedestrian level. It can influence how a building meets the street, how corners catch or deflect views, and how signage or entrances are oriented. In urban design and street planning, flankhoek-type corners affect sightlines, corner radii for vehicles and pedestrians, and the way blocks articulate public space at ground level.

Variants and related terms

Variants of flankhoek include flat, chamfered, or curved treatments of the side corner, each producing different aesthetic and functional effects. The term is related to broader concepts of architectural geometry and corner treatment, but it remains a specialized label used primarily in Dutch-language design discourse.

See also

Corner (geometry), Architectural detail, Facade design, Urban morphology.