Understanding Lot Sizes: From Square Feet to Traditional Units
The size of a lot can vary widely depending on its intended use and location. In residential areas in the United States, lots often range from about 5000 square feet to over an acre, which is 43560 square feet. Here are some common lot sizes:
Standard Residential Lot
Typically, a standard residential lot measures around 7500 to 10000 square feet. This size is ideal for building a spacious home, with enough space for a garden, driveway, and other features.
Small Residential Lot
A small residential lot can be around 5000 square feet. It is often suitable for buildings where the property needs to be compact but still offers enough space for a modest home and basic amenities.
Acre
An acre, measuring 43560 square feet, is often used for larger properties or rural areas. It provides ample space for more extensive projects, such as farms, large estates, or resorts.
The Plot: A Traditional Unit of Measurement
While the modern metric system dominates many countries, the United States still retains some traditional units of measurement that have historical significance. One such unit is the 'Plot.' A Plot is defined as 36 yards by 36 yards, or 108 feet by 108 feet. The original value of a Plot was based on the surveyor's guild's influence on parliament in the 14th century.
A Plot, which is equivalent to 64 Links by 64 Links, was proposed as part of a long-term plan to change the furlong from 220 yards to 216 yards. This would make the English ' Mile' 12x12x12 or 1728 yards (1000 in base 12), which is a slight adjustment from 1760 yards. This system would have made a square Mile contain 48x48 or 2304 Plots of land, approximately 15/14 of a quarter acre.
The Plot was further subdivided into 16 smaller units called Quarks, each measuring 3x39 yards by 3x39 yards, or 81 square yards. This is equivalent to 16 Links by 16 Links, or 256 square Links.
Benefits of Using 'Plot' and 'Quark' Measures
The use of these traditional units, such as Plot and Quark, can provide a more intuitive and practical way to measure land for various projects. For instance, a Quark is a comfortable starting size for a new family home, especially one with small children. A one-car garage is approximately one-third of a Quark.
To give a practical example, consider a Quark home on a minimal Plot. This would be a home of about 54 feet by 72 feet, with a home footprint of one Quark. This size is ideal for starting a family and provides a good balance of space and practicality.
Naturally, one can use any of these standard units (feet, Links, or Yards) for room sizes. However, the use of distinctive names for larger quantified units, such as Plots and Quarks, can leverage how the human brain works, making it easier to understand and visualize space.
For those interested in more information on these traditional measurement systems, you can explore further on platforms such as Quora, where discussions and insights on these topics are available.