Alcove (architecture)

In architecture, an alcove is a small recessed section of a room or an arched opening (as in a wall).^[1] The section is partially enclosed by such vertical elements as walls, pillars and balustrades.^[2]

Alcove in the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Etymology

The word alcove originates from Arabic القبة ([ʔalqubːa] ^ⓘ), al- 'the' and qubbah 'vault' (through the Spanish alcoba).^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Niche (architecture)
• Mihrab
• Box-bed
• Tokonoma
• Setback (architecture)