The terms listed below should be used in your descriptions of the pictures and other writing assingments. They will help enhance the quality of your writing. This list is on-going, so check back often for new terms that have just been added.
Aesthetics: a general term to describe the way that a building or piece of art looks
Arch: a curved structure for spanning an opening, designed to support a vertical load.
Keystone: a wedge shaped piece at the top of an arch.
Archivolt: a decorative molding on the face of the arch which follows the curve.
Spandrel: the triangular shaped space that is in between two adjoining arches.
Funicular Arch: an arch that starts with the curve at ground level, rather than on top of straight (vertical) pieces.
Abutment: the part of the structure that supports the arch.
Pointed Arch: an arch that is pointed sharply at the top.
Atrium: a skylight, central court in a building; especially a large interior space having a glass roof and surrounded by several stories.
Balcony: an elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building and enclosed by a railing or parapet.
Beam: a structural member designed to carry loads horizontally across a space.
Cantilever: a beam that is supported on only one side (one end is just hanging)
Continuous beam: a beam that is supported on each side.
Building: a permanent enclosed structure constructed over a plot of land for habitable use.
Shell: the exterior framework of a building
Substructure: the part of the building that is underground.
Superstructure: the part of the building that is above ground.
Low-rise: a building with one, two, or three stories.
Mid-Rise: a building with a moderate number of stories – up to 15.
High-Rise: a Building with a large number of stories.
Skyscraper: a building with exceptional height and many stories.
Building Entrances:
Porch: an exterior portion of a building forming a covered approach or a vestibule to a doorway. Similar to a portico, but less grand in scale and decoration.
Portal: a doorway, gate, or entrance, especially an imposing one with huge size and gecoration.
Portico: a porch having a roof supported by columns, often leading to the entrance of a building.
Porte-cochere: a vehicular passageway leading through a building or wall into an interior courtyard or garage space.
Stoop: a raised platform, approached by steps, and sometimes having a roof. Usually just a recess in a wall to provide a small covered space for a doorway.
Building Accents:
Arbor: a shelter of shrubs and branches OR a physical latticework interwitned with climbing vines. Typically wither rectangular or arched shaped.
Lattice: a structure of crossed strips arranged to form a rectangular pattern of open spaces.
Pergola: a structure of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of beams and crossing rafters or trelliswork, over which climbing plants can be trained to grow.
Trellis: a frame supporting open latticework, used as a screen or a support for growing vines or plants.
Cable Structure: a stryctyrak system utilizing the cable as the pricnipal means of support.
Ceiling: the overhead interior surface of a room, often concealing the structure, floor, or roof above.
Beam Ceiling: shows the supporting beams running across the room.
Coffer Ceiling: shows a grid of supporting beams running both directions across the room.
Drop Ceiling: a ceiling provided out of interchangable tiles.
Vaulted Ceiling: a celing that is angled/sloped in one or two directions.
Witch’s Hat: a term used to describe a ceiling which has many angles that all go up to a point.
Colonade: a series of reguarly spaced columns supporting an entablature and usually one side of a roof structure.
Column: a rigid structural member designed to support compressive loads.
Construction: the art, science, or business of building.
Owner:
Developer:
Architect:
Engineer:
Consultant:
Contractor:
General Contractor:
Sub-Contractor:
Design
Dome
Facade: the face of a building.
Fenestration: the design, proportioning, and disposition of windows and exterior openings.
Frame
Geometry
Glass
Joinery
Light
Load
Loft: a building having several floors with laarge areas of unobstructed space.
Masonry
Material
Measure
Membrane
Metal
Mezzanine: a low or partial stsory between two main stories of a building, especially when it projects out and forms a balcony.
Ornament
Rotunda: a round space, in a domed building or circular space in a building.
Structure
Tectonics: the science or art of shaping, ornamenting, or assembling materials in construction.
Trellis: a frame supporting open latticework, used as a screen or a support for growing vines or plants.
Truss
Vault
Wall
Window
Wood
Many of the definitions above are taken from “A Visual Dictionary of Architecture” by Francis Ching.
