| abacus |
The uppermost member of a capital, the flat stone slab underneath the entablature that forms the top of the capital of a classical column on which the architrave or supporting beam rests. The slab at the top of a capital between the capital and the architectural member above. See also column, pier, impost block. Other parts of a column or pier capital, shaft, column base
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| abatement |
Involves either removal of the painted surface, covering the painted surface with an impermeable surface, or covering surface with heavy-duty coating (encapsulant).
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| abutment |
A solid piece of masonry used to support a projecting part of a structure, for example, the supports that connect a bridge with a river bank.
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| acanthus |
A stylized leaf motif, one of the primary decorative elements of classical architecture. With its origins in Greece, it was adopted by Romans and transmitted into the general classical tradition. A plant whose leaf is used to decorate the capital of the Corinthian order, also found in moldings.
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| acanthus leaf |
Conventionalized leafy design characteristic of the Corinthian order
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| acropolis |
The symbolic center of a Greek city-state, bringing together its most important sacred and civic buildings in one urban space, as in Athens where the Parthenon forms the heart of the Athenian acropolis. The high, fortified part of an ancient Greek city.
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| acroterion |
A classical ornament or crowning adorning a pediment usually at gable corners and crown, generally of monsters, sphinxes, griffins or gorgons, sometimes massive floral complexes. An ornamental projection at the corner or peak of a roof; or the base that supports the ornament.
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| acrylic |
A synthetic resin used in high-performance water-based coatings. A coating in which the binder contains acrylic resins.
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| adhesion |
The ability of dry paint to attach to and remain fixed on the surface without blistering, flaking, cracking or being removed by tape.
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| adobe |
Med bricks reinforced with straw. Used particularly in Latin America and southwestern USA, adobe produces a distinctive architectural style based on organic forms, a smooth finish, and a minimum of window openings. Unburnt brick dried in the sun, commonly used for building in the American Southwest, Spain and Latin America. Usually covered with stucco in homes.
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| aedicule |
A term now applied to the frames surrounding a classical doorway or window flanked by a pair of columns and topped by a pediment, but which has its origins in the architectural treatment of the shrines of the classical period. An architectural elevation in miniature; a decorative niche, often housing an altar.
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| aerosol |
A product that uses compressed gas to spray the coating from its container. Historical Note: Aerosol paint products have not contained chlorofluorocarbons--CFCs--since 1978.
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| aerugo |
A sheen or patina either naturally occurring or simulated, which gives the appearance of age.
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| aesthetics |
The study of what is beautiful; in architecture, beauty as perceived by the senses and emotions.
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| a-frame |
A roof shape with a very steep pitch forming a gable or "A" shape.
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| agora |
The public open space that formed the heart of ancient Greek cities and it's the origin of most western conceptions of public, or civic, space as center of for social interaction for ceremony and democratic life on a pedestrian scale.
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| air cure |
One method by which liquid coatings cure to a dry film. Oxygen from the air enters the film and cross-links the resin molecules. Also called "Air Dry" and "Oxidizing."
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| air space |
A space provided in exterior wall construction to prevent passage of moisture and allow the wall to dry out.
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| aisle |
Open area of a church parallel to the nave and separated from it by columns or piers. The portion of a church flanking the nave and seperated from it by a row of columns or piers. In general, the space between the arcade and an outer wall. Subsidiary space alongside the body of a building, separated from it by columns, piers, or posts. See also nave
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| aji-ishi |
High-quality granite from Aji in northern Shikoku Island, bordering on Mure. The area is famous for its high-quality gravestones made from the stone.
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| akari |
Paper lanterns designed by Isamu Noguchi, most famous for his large-scale stone sculptures.
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| alcazar |
A building type that is a legacy of the Moorish occupation of Spain, a fortified palace found mainly in south of the country, particularly Seville and Granda.
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| align |
The faces of objects that are in line with each other, or when their center-lines lie on the same axis.
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| alkyd |
Synthetic resin modified with oil. Coating that contains alkyd resins in the binder.
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| altar |
In the Roman Church, a table at which the celebration of the Eucharist takes place. It is placed in the most prominent place in the church, usually at the east end, in the choir or sanctuary, facing the main entrance to the church. The focal point of a place of worship, raised platform or table where ceremonies are performed. The holiest part of a church. In the medieval period the altar was a table or rectangular slab made of stone or marble, often set upon a raised step. After the Reformation the stone altars were replaced by wooden communion tables. See also choir, retable
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| alternation of support |
A system of supports for an arcade or colonnade in which there are two different types of support. The alternation may be quite obvious, between one pier (strong support) and one column (weak support), or it may exist only in slight differences, such as in the treatment of the shafting on each pier. See also arcade, colonnade, column, pier
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| alterpiece |
A panel, painted or sculptured, situated above and behind an altar.
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| aluminum siding |
Lightweight material that is often painted rather than left in its natural color.
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| amado |
heavy wooden doors or shutters that can be closed in inclement weather
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| ambo |
If there is one speaker's stand in the center of the front of the church, as is typical in churches with a lecture-hall floor plan, it serves the functions of both lectern and pulpit. The word ambo comes from a Greek word meaning æboth. In common usage, however, ambos are incorrectly called pulpits.
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| ambry (or aumbry) |
An ambry (or aumbry) is a niche in the wall in a large church. It is generally used for storing various articles that are used in worship.
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| ambulatory |
A semicircular or polygonal aisle. Usually an ambulatory leads around the east end of the choir; separating the choir from apses or chapels. A covered passage behind the altar, linking it with chapels at the east end of the church. A covered walkway, outdoors (as in a cloister) or indoors especailly the passwage around the apse and the choir (quire) of a church. See also aisle, apse, choir, east end, hemicycle
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| amida buddha |
Buddha of the Western Paradise
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| amide |
A functional group which can act as an epoxy resin curing agent.
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| amorino |
ornament from the Renaissance; little Italian chubby naked cupids.
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| amphitheater |
The circular structure characterized by rising tiers of stone seats contained within an arched stone outer wall that was used by Romans for circus performances and gladiatorial contest.
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| anchor bolt |
A bolt or threaded rod used to secure the sill to the foundation wall.
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| angle iron |
Provides supporting lintels for openings in masonry wall construction.
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| anthemion |
Greek ornament of alternating palmettes and lotus motifs or two types of palmettes (one open, one closed) usually found on a cornice or neck of Ionic capital; used a lot in the 1700s. A stylized representation o the honeysuckle flower, most often used in conjunction with palmettes in a frieze.
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| anti-fouling paint |
Paints formulated especially for boat decks and hulls, docks and other below-water-line surfaces and structures to prevent the growth of barnacles and other organisms on ships' bottoms.
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| applied or engaged column |
A column which is attached to a wall so that only half of the form projects from the wall. See also column
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| apron |
The horizontal member directly beneath the stool or inside sill of a window. Raised panel below a window or wall monument or tablet.
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| apse |
In a church, a semicircular or polygonal projection at the altar (usually east) end, beyond the sanctuary. The domed or vaulted east end of the church. In Britain the apse is generally squared off, while on the continent, rounded apses were common. An apse is a rounded alcove behind the altar, particularly in Orthodox churches. In ancient times, when large church buildings were built, they were modeled after a type of Roman public building that had such an alcove. A semicircular and usually vaulted projection from a rectangular structure. Origins of the word are classical, but it is most commonly used to describe an element of a Gothic church. A recess, usually singular and semi-circular, at the east end of a Christian church.
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| apteral |
A term to describe a Classical-style building with columns on the end but not on the sides.
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| aqueduct |
A structure, in the form of a channel or bridge, used to transport water.
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| arabesque |
Ornament consisting of garlands of foliage with figures, fancifully interlaced to form graceful curves and painted, inlaid, or carved in low relief. Surface decoration using intricate flowing lines and geometic patterns.
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| arcade |
Passage or walkway covered over by a succession of arches or vaults supported by columns. Blind arcade or arcading, the same applied to the wall surface. Two or more arches with their imposts, piers, columns, or the like taken together and considered a single architectural feature.
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| arcading |
An uninterruped series of arcades.
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| arch |
A curved structural member spanning an opening or recess. The wedge shaped elements that make up an arch keep one another in palce and transform the vertical pressure of the structure above into lateral pressure.A curved structure used as a support over an open space, as in a doorway. A Semicircular opening in a wall, or a freestanding structure dependent for its structural stability on the horizontal load threatening to push it apart. Usually made from cut stone blocks forming interlocking wedges. Parts of an arch are keystone, soffit, spring line, springer, voussoir. Measurements of an arch, rise, span. Related architectural elements arcade, cusp, hood moulding, spandrel, tympanum. See also intersecting arch, blind arch, relieving arch.
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| architrave |
ls Originally a simple, flat, structural lintel spanning an opening in a wall, it is th elowest part of the classical entablature. Subsequently a term used to describe any molded door or window frame.
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| archivolt |
One of several parallel curved, and often decorated, mouldings on the inside of an arched opening; a curved architrave.
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| arcuated |
Construction employing the arch form.
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| area wall |
The retaining wall surrounding a basement window which is below ground level.
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| areaway |
The excavated area between the Area wall and the basement window.
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| arris |
Sharp edge where two surfaces meet at an angle.
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| Art and Crafts |
[1870 - 1960 A.D.] Stylistic design of furniture and interior wood work emphasizing minimalistic design carried out through precise craftsmanship. English and Dutch origination.
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| Art Deco |
[1920 - 1930 A.D.] Decorative arts after the war, geometric, stylized, derived from Art Nouveau, bright colors, sunbursts, Egyptian motifs.
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| Art Nouveau |
[1890 - 1910 A.D.] A movement that embraced architecture, design, and visual arts throughout Europe. It was fashionable between 1890 and 1910, and particularly strong in France, Belgium, Germany, and Austria. In Britain, Charles Rennie Mackintosh was an important exponent in Spain, Antonio Gaudi was the leading figure. It attempted to find what was sometimes called a modern style, using natural, organic forms and decorative motifs rather than historically derived elements. Marked by ornate use of undulation, such as waves, flames, floweer stalks and flowing hair.
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| Arts and Crafts |
Galvanized by William Morris's disgust at what he perceived as the dehumanizing tendencies of mass production and the factory system, a group os architects and designers attempted to revive the traditions of simple handicraft techniques in 19th century Britain. In architecture they looked at the unselfconscious vernacular tradition of barns, mills, and cottages as an inspiration and at the aesthetics of the medieval period. Known as the Arts and Crafts movement, this design tendency spread across much of Europe to America and Australia.
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| asbestos |
A fibrous, incombustible material once used in building construction. No longer allowed due to health risk.
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| asbestos shingles |
A shingling material made up of a non-conducting, fireproof mineral used in roofing and siding.
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| ash dump |
A small opening located in the hearth of a fireplace having a cast iron cover, used to dump the ashes down into a cavity below the fire box.
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| ashlar |
The practice of laying stone in smooth cut or dressed blocks in regular courses, seperated by only the thinnest of joints. Originated by the ancient Egyptians and adopted as an important element of classical architecture.
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| ashlar masonry |
Masonry construction using a square stone.
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| asphalt shingle |
A roofing material made of a brown or black tar like substance mixed with sand or gravel.
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| astragal |
A narrow convex molding often having the form of beading. Simple T-shaped astragals are common on French doors.
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| astylar |
A term used to describe a façade without columns.
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| atrium |
An open courtyard at the entrance of a church, usually surrounded by covered aisles. The atrium of the Early Christian church was originally a place for the catechumens to wait during the celebration of the Eucharist. In an ancient Roman structure, a central room open to the sky, usually having a pool for the collection of rainwater. In Christian churches, a courtyard flanked by porticos. An inner court open to the sky, but surrounded by a roof. Compare with cloister
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| attic |
Small top storey within a roof. The storey above the main entablature of a classical fatade.
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| aumbry |
A recess to hold reliquaries or sacred vessels, often found in castle chapels.
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| awning window |
A window hinged along the top edge.
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| axis (pl. axes) |
The centerline of openings or objects that align in a row along an imaginary line.
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| axonometric |
A drawing technique devised to represent three dimensional objects on flat paper. Verticals are drawn to scale, but diagonal dimensions are distorted.
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