setback

setback

In architecture, a steplike recession in the profile of a high-rise building. Usually dictated by building codes to allow sunlight to reach streets and lower floors, the building must take another step back from the street for every specified added height interval. Without building setbacks, many of New York City's streets would be in constant shadow. In the 1920s architects drew attention to their setbacks with decorative devices—mosaics; Chinese, Mayan, or Greek motifs; or geometric blocks—but later architects deemphasized them. The International Style glass-wall skyscraper was typically built without intermittent setbacks, but architects met zoning requirements by creating one huge setback at ground level that created a plaza. The late 20th century saw a return to decorative setbacks.

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setback [′set‚bak]

(building construction)

A withdrawal of the face of a building to a line toward the rear of the building line or the rear of the wall below in order to reduce obstruction of sunlight reaching the street or the lower stories of adjacent buildings.

offset

(civil engineering)

The distance that a section of a building is set back from the property line as required by local zoning codes.

(mechanics)

The relative rearward movement of component parts in a projectile, missile, or fuse undergoing forward acceleration during its launching; these movements, and the setback force which causes them, are used to promote events which participate in the arming and eventual functioning of the fuse.

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setback

The minimum distance between a reference line (usually a property line) and a building, or portion thereof, as required by ordinance or code.