Architectural Terms and Definitions, Quizzes of Architecture

Download Architectural Terms and Definitions and more Quizzes Architecture in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 adobe DEFINITION 1 Unbaked mud brick dried in the sun, often containing chopped straw and pounded earth as a reinforcement. It was used for building from very early times. TERM 2 aqueduct DEFINITION 2 An artificial channel for carrying water, usually an elevated masonry or brick structure supported on arches. TERM 3 arch DEFINITION 3 The spanning of an opening by means other than that of a lintel. The most primitive form was made by corbelling. True arches are curved and so constructed with wedge-shaped blocks over the opening that the downward thrust of the weight of their own material and of that above is converted into outward thrusts resisted by the flanking material. There are many different types. TERM 4 cantilever DEFINITION 4 A horizontal projection supported by a downward force behind a fulcrum. It is without external bracing and thus appears to be self supporting. TERM 5 cella DEFINITION 5 The main body of a classical temple, as distinct from the portico, etc. TERM 6 clerestory DEFINITION 6 The upper stage of the main walls of a church above the aisle roofs, pierced by windows; the same term is applicable in domestic building. In Romanesque architecture it often has a narrow wall-passage on the inside TERM 7 colonnade DEFINITION 7 A row of columns carrying an entablature or arches. TERM 8 column DEFINITION 8 An upright structural member, square, round or rectangular and usually slightly tapering. It can be isolated, engaged or attached to a wall. Normally intended as a support but sometimes erected independently as a monument. TERM 9 corbelled vault (or corbelled arch) DEFINITION 9 An arch-like construction method that uses the architectural technique of corbeling to span a space or void in a structure, such as an entranceway in a wall or as the span of a bridge. TERM 10 Corinthian Order DEFINITION 10 Has a plinth, base, shaft, leaves on the capital, architrave, frieze, fascia, dentils, and cornice TERM 21 Egg and dart DEFINITION 21 An ovolo moulding decorated with a pattern based on alternate eggs and arrowheads TERM 22 Engaged column DEFINITION 22 A structural column attached to, or partly sunk into, a wall, usually non-loadbearing TERM 23 Entablature DEFINITION 23 The upper part of an order, consisting of architrave, frieze and cornice TERM 24 Fluted shaft DEFINITION 24 Shallow, concave grooves running vertically on the shaft of a column, pilaster, or other surface; they may meet in an arris or be separated by a fillet. TERM 25 Forum DEFINITION 25 In Roman architecture, a central open space usually surrounded by public buildings and colonnades: it corresponds to the Greek agora TERM 26 Frieze DEFINITION 26 The middle division of an entablature, between the architrave and cornice; usually decorated but may be plain TERM 27 Gable DEFINITION 27 The triangular upper portion of a wall at the end of a pitched roof corresponding to a pediment in classical architecture. TERM 28 Greek cross DEFINITION 28 A centralized plan based on a cross with four equal arms. The two axes are at right angles and have identical, balancing elements on each of the axes around the central elements TERM 29 Ionic order DEFINITION 29 An order of column that includes a plinth, base, capital, volute, abacus, architrave, frieze, and cornice TERM 30 Keystone DEFINITION 30 The central wedge-shaped stone at the crown of an arch or a rib vault, put in last, sometimes carved TERM 31 Lintel DEFINITION 31 A horizontal beam or stone bridging an opening. TERM 32 Megaron DEFINITION 32 A square or oblong room with a central hearth and usually four columns to support the roof, the lateral walls projecting forwards beyond the entrance wall to form the sides of a porch which is usually columned. TERM 33 Molding DEFINITION 33 A continuous projection or groove, used decoratively to throw shadow or to throw water away from a wall. TERM 34 Obelisk DEFINITION 34 A tall tapering shaft of stone, usually granite, monolithic, of square or rectangular section, ending pyramidally and originally with a gilded apex, and usually bearing carved inscriptions in hieroglyphics. TERM 35 Pediment DEFINITION 35 A low-pitched gable above a portico, formed by running the top member of the entablature along the sides of the gable. It may be straight-sided or curved segmentally. TERM 46 Vault DEFINITION 46 An arched ceiling or roof of stone, brick or concrete, sometimes imitated in wood or pilaster TERM 47 Groin vault DEFINITION 47 Produced by the intersection at right angles of two tunnel vaults of identical shape TERM 48 Barrel vault DEFINITION 48 Also known as a tunnel vault Is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve (or pair of curves) along a given distance. TERM 49 Volute DEFINITION 49 A spiral scroll on an Ionic capital; smaller versions appear on Composite and Corinthian capitals. TERM 50 Ziggurat DEFINITION 50 A rectangular temple-tower in the form of a truncated pyramid built in diminishing stages, each stage being reached by ramps, erected by the Sumerians and their successors.