Architecture basics

 Building Basics

Buildings form an important part of our lives. We live in them, work in them, and even go to school in them. But in many cases, we do not think twice about how these buildings came to be developed. Individuals who are interested in learning more about the buildings in which we live may want to devote some time to the study of architecture. Understanding architectural practice, professions in architecture, this site may be beneficial for individuals interested in the study of architecture.

What is Architecture?

Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and other physical structures. A wider definition often includes the design of the total built environment from the macro level of town planning, urban design, and landscape architecture to the micro level of construction. Architects must participate in significant amounts of planning, where they identify what exactly will be built, torn-down, or re-designed. Once plans blueprint have been completed final site design is created before construction can begin, architects must typically identify any relevant building codes, which could influence architecture style.

Architectural Terms

Arch- a curved, symmetrical structure that covers an opening and is often used to support the weight of a wall, roof, or bridge.

Column- an upright pillar that is often made from stone or concrete, which may be used to support an arch or roof.

Trusses- framework composed of struts, posts, and rafters, which may support a roof, bridge, or other similar structure.

Beam- a long, sturdy piece of wood or metal that may span the ceiling of a room, may also be used in the creation of trusses.

Domes- rounded, circular vaults that may form the ceiling of a building.

Ashlar- is the finest stone masonry unit, generally rectangular cuboid, mentioned by Vitruvius  as opus isodomum, or less frequently trapezoidal.

Bellcast- a curved shape resulting in a lower pitch at the bottom of a roof slope.

Balustrade- a railing of small posts or balusters topped by a coping usually at the edge of stairs or on a roof.

Bargeboard- a board trim that is usually carved and projects from the gable line of a roof, used to hide the ends of the horizontal roof timbers.

Bay- a division of space that is repeated within a building, a three bay house would have three spaces repeated along one side as in two rooms and a hall. A space that projects from the rest of the building as in a bay window.

Bonneted- a dormer with a semicircular roof line, normally containing an arched window.

Bracket- a supporting feature under an eave line or raincap, usually decorative.

Buttress- a projecting mass normally of brickwork or masonry that is used to support a structure; gives additional strength usually to counteract the outward thrust of an arch or vault.

Casement- in a window refers to a vertical window hinged on its vertical side, meant to open either out or in.

Clearstory- the upper level of a room that extends beyond the single-story height; often found in churches and penetrated by windows.

Cupola- a small structure situated on top of a roof, often domed with solid walls or four arches and covering a circular or polygonal area.

Dentils- small tooth like projections adorning an area under an overhang; square blocks in series under a cornice.

Dormer- a vertical window and window box that projects from a sloping roof, has its own roof, most commonly a pedimental or gable roof.

Double hung- referring to a window with two vertical sliding sashes, one over the other.

Fanlight- an arched window with radiating glazing bars that imitate a fan, placed over a door; loosely any over-door window.

Finial- a formal ornamentation fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable, etc.

Gable- the triangular end of a wall above the eaves with a peak roof.

Gambral roof- a double slope roof where the upper slope is of a lesser pitch than the lower, both slopes are straight.

Gothic window- a triple arched window where the centre pane is taller than the sides. Most commonly seen in churches.

Pilaster- a rectangular column projecting only slightly from a wall, incorporates a capital, shaft and base, as one of the orders. Once used for stiffening, now more common for decoration.

Raincap- feature over an opening such as a window or door, a wide trim developed to shed water away from the opening. Can be heavy and decorated or light and plain.

Transome- the horizontal framing member between a door and a window above; also refers to the window above a door.

Mullion-  is a vertical element that forms a division between units of a window or screen, or is used decoratively.

Truncated- cut off or cut short, usually in reference to a roof.