Chris:
My
Means Illustrated Construction Dictionary says a "well, wellhole [note it
is shown as one word] (1) Any enclosed space of considerable height, such as an
air shaft or the space around which a stair winds [stairwells above a ceertain
height now have to be closed in for safety and fire reasons]. (2) A collection
device for ground water. (3) A wall around a tree trunk to hold back soil. (4) A
slot in a machine or device into which a part fits."
None
of these seems to be very good as an item, the lack of which, is worth calling
out as a major selling point for a building though the idea of a well or cistern
in the basement might be if it could be seen as a health hazard (hence it
following the "all light, southerly exposure to sun and air" which I
presume is mentioned for its health benefits).
Is
this about the time of the TB concerns?
Signed, don't know much about history...
In a message dated 8/28/02 2:32:07 PM Eastern
Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
Could it refer to light wells or do you folks call them areaways
or light shafts?
Yes, although I have never seen that
coinage before. But I sent it out to bullamanka-space with the idea that
some plumbing nut might have a different idea. Indeed, the building
has no closed light courts, only wide slots to the rear.
Best,
Christopher