在人口密集的英國,居住空間從來都是稀缺資源,倫敦尤甚。倫敦基本上成了有錢人的保留地。不過,就算再怎么有錢,也無法憑空造出個空間。而越來越多的人采取的一個解決辦法是“入地”。
Iceberg homes are houses with big, hidden basements that may be significantly larger than the house that appears on the surface. These basements can be as many as four storeys deep – huge subterranean bunkers often containing luxury add-ons such as swimming pools, spas, gyms, bowling alleys and cinemas. Predictably they are favoured by wealthy celebrities.
“冰山宅”是指那些擁有大而隱蔽的地下室的住宅,這些地下室比地面上的屋子要大得多。有些地下室甚至能達到四成樓的深度——這些地堡里通常包含奢華的附屬設施,比如游泳池、水療館、健身房、保齡球室和電影放映廳等。毫不意外地,這種“冰山宅”是富裕名流們的最愛。
However, the work involved in their construction can take up to two years, bringing massive disruption to surrounding neighbourhoods and turning them into long-term building sites. Some experts also claim that these constructions increase the risk of flooding. It's for this reason that authorities in London have finally decided to crack down on the luxury building trend.
不過,修建這種冰山宅可能需要多達兩年的時間,極其擾民,簡直就是把這些地方變成了長期的建筑工地。還有專家稱,這種建筑物會增加水漫的風險。正是因為這個原因,倫敦當局終于決定要限制這股奢華興建的潮流了。
Example:
He joined the growing number of wealthy Londoners who have been turning their mansions into so called "iceberg homes."
與越來越多富裕的倫敦人一樣,他也將自己的住所變成了所謂的“冰山大宅”。