pihatason

Pihatason is a term used in Finnish architectural discourse to describe the horizontal plane that constitutes the surface of a yard or courtyard adjacent to a building. The word combines piha, meaning yard, with taso, meaning level, with the suffix -n indicating possession in compound terms. In use, pihatason refers to the level at which outdoor space meets the built environment, typically the ground floor or a raised terrace that aligns with the courtyard surface.

In design practice, pihatason helps define the interface between interior rooms and outdoor space, guiding decisions about doors, paving, drainage, and accessibility. It is a relevant reference for residential blocks, schools, and public buildings where courtyards contribute to daylight, ventilation, and microclimate. The concept supports planning choices such as materials continuity, landscape integration, and the management of water flow from the built form to the surrounding yard.

Variations of pihatason can occur in multi-story buildings, where the yard level is achieved through terraces, platforms, or stepped transitions that connect interior spaces to outdoor areas. In some contexts, the term is used to distinguish the yard level from adjacent upper floors or below-grade spaces for practical reasons related to drainage, accessibility, or construction constraints. See also piha, taso, courtyard, and terrace.