trapperom

Trapperom is a term used in architectural and real estate contexts to refer to the internal vertical circulation space in a multi-story building that contains a staircase. This area, often described in floor plans as a stair hall or stairwell, provides access to the different floors and serves as a common means of egress for residents or occupants.

The name is characteristic of Scandinavian architectural vocabulary, combining words for stair and room to describe the space around the staircase. In practice, a trapperom may be a defined room or a more open corridor that connects entrances to various floors, apartments, or offices. The design can vary from simple, narrow stairs to more substantial stair halls with landings, lighting, and doors to adjacent rooms or corridors.

Typical features of a trapperom include the staircase itself, landings on each floor, and sometimes an elevator lobby, access doors to individual units, and provisions for lighting and ventilation. Fire safety and accessibility are common regulatory considerations, with requirements that may address minimum width, headroom, fire resistance, emergency lighting, and clear egress routes in case of evacuation.

Variations exist across building types and periods. Older residential buildings may feature compact trapperoms with central stairwells, while modern designs often integrate the stair space with broader corridors or landscaped light wells. In contemporary construction, trapperoms are designed to balance safety, ventilation, daylight, and accessibility, and they are typically distinguished in plans from private living spaces and service areas.