stack of houses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stack of houses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of houses that are built closely together, often in a vertical arrangement or in a way that resembles a stack. Example: "The new development features a modern stack of houses, each with a unique design and color scheme."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A. It's a Herzog & de Meuron stack of houses, and it's sitting in an Anish Kapoor sculpture, which is the first public work that he's doing in New York.

The New York Times

Part of that collection will now be displayed in the VitraHaus, which was conceived as what Jacques Herzog, co-founder of Herzog & de Meuron, describes as "a stack of houses".

The New York Times - Arts

The other new photos include a stack of houses wedged between two cliffs, so that if one were removed they would all topple, and a portrait of an architect drawing, in which he looks like part of an architectural rendering.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

ARMED with a stack of house-listing printouts from Craigslist.com, a popular website, Paul Rademacher was driving around Silicon Valley late last year looking for a place to live.

The Economist

He acknowledges it's harder to achieve in a large organisation where rules and regulations dictate, but "some of the ideas and feelings we are dealing with are transferable in how we are trying to look at the spaces and that art of care... [Our design for Guy's] only has five floors, built like a stack of individual houses.

The Guardian

Like the Mountain, it is not an exotic shape into which apartments have been jammed; it's quite legibly a stack of salable housing units.

The New Yorker

The Queen is alive, knees knocking against each other in the empty crusted-on stack of Sandringham House, and meanwhile her death fills the world.

Vice

This post originally appeared on VICE UK The Queen is alive, knees knocking against each other in the empty crusted-on stack of Sandringham House, and meanwhile her death fills the world.

Vice

"Garden cities have the generosity of space between buildings and have features that make people feel comfortable and welcome, rather than just stacks and stacks of similar houses".

The Guardian - Arts

Higher-density redevelopment in recent years hasn't helped, according to many residents, who describe stacks of multifamily houses squeezed onto small lots.

The New York Times

He said claims by the federal government MP Andrew Laming that an end to mining would "decimate house prices" did not stack up given 55% of houses were owned by non-residents who "invest substantial amounts of money on [the island] but work elsewhere".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing architecture, use "stack of houses" to vividly convey a vertical or layered arrangement of dwellings.

Common error

Avoid using "stack of houses" when simply referring to a general neighborhood or unplanned group of residences; the phrase implies a deliberate or striking vertical arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stack of houses" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a descriptive term, often used to characterize a particular architectural design or urban planning concept, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stack of houses" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe houses arranged vertically or in a layered manner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. Although not very common, it appears in news and media, science, and formal contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure the architectural arrangement justifies the term, avoiding its use for general housing descriptions. Consider using alternatives like "cluster of houses" or "housing complex" when the "stack" metaphor doesn't fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pile of houses

Replaces "stack" with "pile", suggesting a less orderly arrangement.

cluster of houses

Focuses on proximity rather than vertical arrangement.

group of houses

A general term for multiple houses together.

collection of houses

Emphasizes a deliberate grouping or design.

tier of houses

Suggests houses arranged on different levels.

row of houses

Highlights a linear arrangement.

complex of houses

Implies a more intricate or planned structure.

housing complex

A common term for a planned residential area.

housing development

Focuses on the construction aspect of multiple houses.

agglomeration of houses

A more formal way to describe a dense grouping of houses.

FAQs

How can I visually describe multiple homes arranged vertically?

Use the term "stack of houses" to vividly depict multiple dwellings built upon each other, or in a layered design. This emphasizes the vertical or layered construction.

What are some alternatives to "stack of houses"?

Depending on the context, you could use "cluster of houses", "group of houses", or "housing complex". The best choice depends on the specific arrangement and purpose you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "stack of houses" for any group of houses?

No, "stack of houses" implies a specific architectural style or arrangement where homes are vertically aligned or layered. It's not suitable for describing a typical neighborhood or randomly placed houses.

How does "stack of houses" differ from "row of houses"?

"Stack of houses" suggests a vertical arrangement, while "row of houses" describes a linear arrangement. The key difference lies in whether the houses are built on top of each other or side by side.