WordVale

Architecture & Design

100 words and expressions, each with a learner-friendly meaning. Tap any term for its page.

• facadethe front or face of a building
• atriuma large open central space, often glass-roofed
• cantilevera structure that projects with support at only one end
• cornicea decorative molding crowning a wall or building
• balustradea railing supported by small posts, as on a balcony
• buttressa support built against a wall to strengthen it
• colonnadea row of columns supporting a roof or beams
• mezzaninea partial floor between two main floors
• pergolaan open garden structure of posts supporting crossbeams
• parapeta low protective wall at the edge of a roof or bridge
• vaultedhaving an arched roof or ceiling
• trussa framework of beams supporting a roof or bridge
• load-bearingsupporting the weight of the structure above
• blueprinta detailed technical plan for construction
• elevationa drawing of one face of a building
• floor plana scale diagram of a room or building seen from above
• zoningrules controlling how land in an area may be used
• retrofitadding new systems or parts to an existing building
• claddingmaterial covering a building's exterior
• veneera thin decorative surface layer over cheaper material
• alcovea small recessed section of a room
• gablethe triangular wall section under a pitched roof
• latticea crisscrossed framework of strips
• masonryconstruction in brick or stone
• mortarthe paste that bonds bricks or stones together
• pedimenta triangular crown over a classical entrance or window
• pilastera flattened column projecting slightly from a wall
• scaffoldingtemporary framework used during construction
• skylighta window set into a roof
• spirea tall tapering structure on top of a tower
• terracea flat outdoor platform attached to a building
• vestibulea small entrance hall before a main room
• wainscotingwooden paneling on the lower part of interior walls
• ergonomicsdesigning for comfort and efficiency of human use
• minimalisma style using the fewest and simplest elements
• brutalisma style of massive raw concrete forms
• porticoa columned porch at a building's entrance
• rotundaa round building or hall, usually domed
• annexa secondary building added to a main one
• courtyardan open space enclosed by walls or buildings
• acousticsthe sound qualities of a room or building
• adaptive reuseconverting an old building to a new purpose
• awninga fabric cover extending over a window or door
• bay windowa window projecting outward from a wall
• beama horizontal structural member carrying loads
• bungalowa low house, typically on one level
• canopyan overhead roof-like covering or shelter
• cupolaa small dome crowning a roof
• dormera window projecting vertically from a sloped roof
• eavesthe part of a roof overhanging the walls
• edificea large, imposing building
• foyeran entrance hall in a house or theater
• foundationthe load-carrying base of a building, below ground
• girdera large main beam supporting a structure
• insulationmaterial that keeps heat, cold, or sound out
• joistone of the parallel beams supporting a floor or ceiling
• keystonethe central stone locking an arch together
• lintelthe horizontal support above a door or window
• loftan open upper space under a roof, or a converted upper floor
• louverangled slats admitting air but keeping out rain or light
• penthousean apartment on the top floor of a tall building
• prefabricatedmanufactured in sections for on-site assembly
• renovationrestoring or updating a building's condition
• restorationreturning a building to its original state
• setbackthe required distance between a building and the property line
• thresholdthe strip at the bottom of a doorway; an entrance point
• turreta small tower projecting from a building
• urban planningdesigning the layout and growth of cities
• verandaa roofed open gallery along the outside of a house
• mansard roofa roof with two slopes on each side, the lower steeper
• mulliona vertical bar dividing panes of a window
• oculusa circular opening or window, often in a dome
• corbela bracket of stone or wood projecting from a wall to bear weight
• breezewaya roofed open passage connecting two buildings
• cornerstonea foundational stone, often laid ceremonially; a vital element
• curb appealhow attractive a property looks from the street
• gazeboa freestanding open garden pavilion
• plumbexactly vertical
• footprintthe ground area a building occupies
• green roofa roof covered with living vegetation
• abutto touch or border on; to lean against
• ambulatorya covered walkway, especially around a cloister
• clerestoryan upper section of wall with windows above eye level
• crenellationthe notched battlements along the top of a wall
• dadothe lower part of an interior wall, often decorated
• fenestrationthe arrangement of windows in a building
• finialan ornament at the top of a spire, gable, or post
• friezea broad horizontal band of decoration on a wall
• groin vaulta ceiling formed by two intersecting barrel vaults
• jambthe vertical side post of a doorway or window
• massingthe overall shape and bulk of a building
• newelthe central post of a spiral staircase
• plinththe base or platform on which a structure sits
• quoina dressed cornerstone reinforcing a building's angle
• soffitthe underside of an arch, eave, or overhang
• stuccoa fine plaster used for coating walls and moldings
• transoma crossbar above a door, often with a window above it
• tympanumthe semicircular space above a doorway, often carved
• vernacularbuilding in a local, traditional style using local materials
• corbel archan arch built by stepping stones inward from each side