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What is a "KEEP" in a house floor plan?

Does anyone know what a what a keep is in a floor plan layout? It is located near the kitchen, but it is not a mud room since the house I was looking at already has one. Here is a link to the floor plan that I was looking at: http://www.archivaldesigns.com/plan_image.asp?PlanName=Corrin%E9aux+Estate&sFile=/renderings/zoom/4797.jpg&sType=First+Floor+Plan Thanks! Thanks for the help everyone!!!

Public Comments

1. I am thinking it might be a pantry like area but honestly I am not sure I saw that a keeping room is actually a family room. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061017071149AAIXoOQ
2. Unless you're living in a castle, where it was meant for defense against seige, it would have to do with storage, gathering and such. That's the origin of the term anyway. I just realized that my house, which was originally only 2 rooms, is based around the fireplace and that one of the rooms would qualify as the keep of a farmhouse (rather than the castle, lol).
3. The keep is where you keep stuff aka storage area
4. "Keeping Room" which is usually a smaller family area off the kitchen for sitting, reading etc. and usually has a fireplace. I guess some might call it the family room. If your plan shows a family room and a keeping room, then it must be a pretty nice home. Heres some pictures of "keeps" http://images.google.ca/images?q=Keeping%20Room&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
5. Keep - This definition changed slightly over the centuries of castle building. In the early years of stone castle building the Keep was a standalone structure that could be defended and often square in shape. Over the centuries these structures were improved upon and built around. Thus a castle was made that was a larger and more complex structure. The main tower that this was built around was still called the Keep and it was usually the tallest and strongest structure in the castle. It was also used as the last line of defense during siege or attack In modern times it would have elaborate details. the walls and ceilings in the floor plan you have shows these details. The plan you have also shows lots of details resembling a modern day castle such as the round staircases.
6. It's the keeping room, also know as a family room, living room, gathering room, etc. Funny how a room that is intended to serve the same purpose no matter what you call it has so many names. We just built a house and as we looked at plans we discovered, rooms had different names but the same purpose based on various parts of the country as well as the era in which the designer/architect went to school. Nice floor plan.