Spear closet

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A spear closet is an architectural “left over” space of small size and irregular shape.

[edit] Background

When laying out floor plans for buildings, architects frequently are unable to avoid small “left over” spaces which cannot be put to practical use. This problem is particularly severe in buildings with angular or curvilinear geometry. These spaces are called “spear closets” because, due to their size and shape, they cannot serve any practical purpose other than possibly to store one’s spears. ^[1]

[edit] Current usage

Since, in the modern world, few people actually own spears and keep them at home, the term is ironic. However, it is a commonly used “professional slang” term in use among architects in the English-speaking world. A spear closet may actually have a door and be used as a storage closet for tall, narrow objects other than spears. However, it may also simply be a “dead” space in a building which is completely surrounded by walls and which is inaccessible.

[edit] References