I'm thinking about taking out this weird nook in my basement, along with the white-topped blocks/supports that surround it.
Is there any reason I shouldn't? In other words - is there a likely purpose the nook serves that means I ought to leave it alone? It's not near any water pipes, electrical wires or ducts. I drilled a 1" deep pilot hole in the far block/support, and - so far as I can tell - it's just filled with polystyrene insulation.
If the window is more than 3' 8" above the floor, then the window seat is required for egress.
As adopted by many localities...
International Residential Code
R310.2.2 Window sill height. Where a window is provided as the emergency escape and rescue opening, it shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor; where the sill height is below grade, it shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2.3.
Suggestion - get a cheap borescope camera for a few dollars. The $10 ones would be fine, they use a phone to function as the display and provide power. Drill a small hole through the plasterboard, something you can patch later if necessary.
Use a blunt+insulated screwdriver to worm a hole into the polystychrene you mentioned inside. Then poke your camera in and see what's there. Take a photo of what you see, and post that here.
You could use the camera to try and look around/through that power point in the corner too, though I suspect there's a stud in the way.
It may be easiest to raise the hard seating surface that is under the cushions, rather than lift the two white "column tops" Hopefully this will let you see into the corner blockers.
I look forward to more info on what you find inside - please don't leave us hanging !
Losing the windows would be a deal-breaker for me... oh, you want to make the room bigger?
On a good day expect to find retaining walls. gnarly plumbing, and/or bedrock inside that.
On a bad day, a crime scene, and/or UXO.
