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The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2009-10-12 10:54:06 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
French to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Architecture / construction project
French term or phrase: faille végétale
The above phrase is taken from the text below, relating to an architectural project description. I am translating faille as "fault" as in a wall fault structure (?) but can't seem to find any ref. sources for the entire phrase so any suggestions welcomed TIA :)
"Les appartements plus grands dans les étages disposent tantôt d’une surface loggia généreuse en façade principale doublée d’un balcon dans la faille végétale, tantôt d’une loggia double hauteur doublée d’un bow window ventilable au contact de la faille végétale et récepteur de chaleur dans sa façade la mieux exposée."
ii. Constructed Screen Wall. The constructed screen wall shall be made of masonry, a treated concrete, stone, or brick and shall be between two feet, six inches to three feet, zero inches in height above the ground elevation. The screen wall shall not be constructed of metal or of concrete masonry units (cinder blocks) that are not architecturally treated as provided for in regulation on requirements for concrete block walls. There shall be a four-foot minimum planting break every 15 feet of wall. Planting breaks shall be planted from the street shrub list (subsection (EE) of this section) with a minimum of one shrub per planting break. The city may allow a screen wall to be constructed of wood provided the design and materials match the primary building on the lot, such as picket style or estate style fencing.
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Often this would be referred to simply as 'planting' by landscape architects. 'Planting inset' is also used, but I would prefer 'planting break' in the façade of a building.
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Thanks for your added context, Julie. I think either of my suggestions would work. Cleft, however, is better used when speaking of a rock face or anatomically, in my view.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2009-10-08 14:34:11 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Planting break/inset seem to be the most fitting options in this context. Thanks to all, your input on this has been really helpful. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
in the context of architectural features described as "faille", but it's my own invention I think, having found nothing attested to thus far. Rock of ages ...
Yes is seems the text is referring to a gap in the facade of a block of flats in which a garden is situated (at ground level). Would the term "vertical cleft" therefore be an accurate way to interpret "faille" here?
Yes I think Helen is on the right lines here. However I can't seem to find many entries for the term "planting breaks". Do you think "planting peninsulas" would be more fitting?
It's certainly not 'fault' here in the geological sense; I've come across this word used quite a bit in architectural texts, each time referring to some kind of deliberate 'gap' in a structure. Helen's idea with 'break' is certainly along the right lines...
Hi Julie - from a quick look at the sites which come up when you Google "faille végétale" it seems this is some kind of planted terrace or other kind of space with lots of greenery. I can't see how translating "faille" as a "fault" would fit in the text you have given - surely this "faille végétale" is a selling point of these apartments, not a fault in the structure?
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Answers
23 hrs confidence:
1. overlooking a planted area / 2. directly overlooking planted area
Explanation: -
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Or : "bedded area"
Or : "area planted with flowers/shrubbery"
Catherine Gilsenan United Kingdom Local time: 01:12 Native speaker of: English
ii. Constructed Screen Wall. The constructed screen wall shall be made of masonry, a treated concrete, stone, or brick and shall be between two feet, six inches to three feet, zero inches in height above the ground elevation. The screen wall shall not be constructed of metal or of concrete masonry units (cinder blocks) that are not architecturally treated as provided for in regulation on requirements for concrete block walls. There shall be a four-foot minimum planting break every 15 feet of wall. Planting breaks shall be planted from the street shrub list (subsection (EE) of this section) with a minimum of one shrub per planting break. The city may allow a screen wall to be constructed of wood provided the design and materials match the primary building on the lot, such as picket style or estate style fencing.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2009-10-08 12:57:00 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Often this would be referred to simply as 'planting' by landscape architects. 'Planting inset' is also used, but I would prefer 'planting break' in the façade of a building.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2009-10-08 14:29:21 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your added context, Julie. I think either of my suggestions would work. Cleft, however, is better used when speaking of a rock face or anatomically, in my view.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2009-10-08 14:34:11 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
"Ce vide permet une faille végétale dans le socle donnant la possibilité de planter des arbres en plain sol et d'autre part de créer un apport de lumière naturelle au parc de stationnement" http://www.herouville.net/renovationUrbaine/iso_album/rappor...
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
