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Stephen Levrant : Heritage Architecture
Rome, 455 BC
Flats were built in Rome as early as 455 BC. Dionysius
recorded that "the plebeians agreed to divide amongst
themselves the building lots on the Avantine … families not
able to build independently, joined in groups of two, three, and
more and raised a house in common, one family occupying the
ground floor, the others floors above."
Scotland C12th – C17
C12: The word Flat or Flaet appears in relation
to vertically divided tenements .
Well established by C17th, with laws passed to
recognise the form. Particularly in Edinburgh.
Height: Restricted by Act of 1696 to 5 storeys.
Where do we start?