Architecture Glossary
25 essential terms — because precise language is the foundation of clear thinking in Architecture.
Showing 25 of 25 terms
A series of arches supported by columns or piers, forming a covered passageway along the exterior of a building or as a freestanding structure.
A large, open interior space extending through multiple floors of a building, often topped with a skylight or glass roof to bring natural light deep into the structure.
A railing system consisting of a row of small columns (balusters) topped by a continuous rail, used along balconies, staircases, terraces, and rooflines.
A regularly repeated spatial unit defined by structural elements such as columns, piers, or buttresses. Bays organize a building's structure and facade into rhythmic intervals.
A projecting support built against or into a wall to counteract the lateral thrust from a vault or roof, thereby preventing the wall from bowing outward.
A row of windows set high in a wall, above adjacent rooflines, that admits natural light into the interior of a building without compromising privacy.
A row of evenly spaced columns supporting a roof or entablature, creating a covered walkway or monumental entrance. Colonnades are prominent in classical and neoclassical architecture.
A structural bracket projecting from a wall to support a weight above, such as a beam, arch, or balcony. Corbelling involves stacking successive courses of masonry, each projecting slightly beyond the one below.
The uppermost projecting horizontal molding at the top of a wall or building, forming the crown of a facade. In classical architecture, the cornice is the topmost element of the entablature.
A small dome or dome-like structure set atop a roof or tower, often used to admit light and air or as a decorative crowning element.
A window set vertically into a small gabled projection built out from a sloping roof, providing light and headroom to attic or upper-floor spaces.
An orthographic drawing showing the exterior face of a building as seen from a specific direction (north, south, east, or west), without perspective distortion.
In classical architecture, the horizontal assembly carried by columns, consisting of three parts: the architrave (bottom), frieze (middle), and cornice (top).
The exterior face of a building, especially the front elevation that faces a street or public space. The facade is often the most architecturally expressive and carefully composed surface of a building.
Shallow, concave grooves running vertically along the shaft of a column or pilaster, creating a play of light and shadow that visually refines the column's surface.
The triangular wall portion between the edges of a dual-pitched roof. Gable ends are often prominent architectural features and may include decorative elements or windows.
A horizontal structural element spanning an opening such as a door or window, carrying the weight of the wall above. Lintels can be made of stone, wood, steel, or reinforced concrete.
A vertical bar or divider between panes of glass in a window or between adjacent windows in a curtain wall system.
A low wall or railing along the edge of a roof, balcony, bridge, or terrace, serving as a safety barrier and often contributing to the building's architectural profile.
A triangular or segmental gable crowning the front of a building in classical architecture, typically above a portico. Pediments often contain sculptural decoration.
A solid masonry support, thicker than a column, used to carry heavy structural loads such as arches, vaults, or bridge spans.
A porch or covered entrance to a building supported by columns, often featuring a pediment. Porticos are a hallmark of classical and neoclassical architecture.
A required distance that a building must be recessed from a property line, street, or adjacent structure, as dictated by zoning regulations. Upper-story setbacks step the building mass back to allow light and air to reach the street.
A structural framework of triangulated members (typically wood or steel) designed to span large distances and support loads such as roofs and bridges. The triangular geometry makes trusses inherently rigid and efficient.