Architecture Terminology is very essential for aspiring architects, students, or anyone with an interest in Architecture. Understanding the key architecture terminologies helps deepen one’s appreciation and understanding of the built environment.

Architecture is about the art and science of not only designing buildings or structures but also creating spaces. It has a rich vocabulary that reflects its history, techniques, and styles. Therefore from the basic structural elements to the variation of design principles, architecture terminologies are very crucial to understand.

This blog provides an overview of 20 (almost A-Z) essential architecture terminologies, exploring their meanings and significance.

1. Arch

An Arch is a carved structural element that spans an opening and is typically used to support loads from above, such as a bridge or the upper part of a building.
In India arches are significant as a structural element in historical and contemporary architecture, characterized by their aesthetic and functional aspects.

2. Bracket

A Bracket is a structural and decorative element that projects from a wall to support an overhanging weight, such as a balcony, eave, or cornice.
Brackets are significant in various architectural styles across India, especially in traditional and vernacular buildings.

3. Cantilever

A Cantilever refers to a projecting structure supported only at one end, allowing for overhanging designs without external bracing or support.
Cantilever is a traditional Indian structural element that is still significant in modern contemporary architecture.

4. Cladding

Cladding is the application process of one material over another to provide a skin or layer intended to control the infiltration of weather elements or for aesthetic purposes such as brick and stone.
It is used in various types of buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial structures mostly where brick is used as the primary construction material.

5. Elevation

Elevation is one of the key architecture terminologies that refers to a scaled drawing or visual representation of one side of a building. This type of architectural drawing shows the exterior face of a building, detailing its height, length, and the appearance of surfaces and features.
There are three types of elevation, such as front elevation, rare elevation, and side elevation.

6. Facade

The facade is the exterior face or front of a building, especially the principal or most prominent side which often includes the entrance. The facade is a crucial element in architectural design, both functionally and aesthetically.
The front facade featuring the main entrance is known as the Primary facade and the other exterior faces that might have any significant element are known as the Secondary facade.

7. Fenestration

Fenestration is a Global Architecture Terminology that refers to the design, arrangement, and placement of openings in a building, such as windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls. This play a crucial role in the functionality, aesthetics, and overall environmental performance of buildings.
Indian traditional structural or design elements like Jharokhas, Jaali, and even courtyards or verandas are significant examples of fenestration.

8. Gazebo

A gazebo refers to a freestanding, open-sided structure, often situated in gardens, parks, or recreational areas. Gazebos are designed to provide a sheltered, relaxing space while allowing for enjoyment of the surrounding landscape.
They are typically polygonal, circular, or octagonal and of varied sizes based on the intended use.

9. Keystone

A keystone is a wedge-shaped stone at the apex of a masonry arch or typically a round-shaped one at the apex of a vault. Keystones are primarily used in traditional Indian and Roman Architecture. However, in the modern integration of Arch or Vaults, Keystones stand as a timeless structural element.

10. Lintel

A lintel is a horizontal structural element placed above doors, windows, and other openings to support the load of the wall or structure above it. It spans the opening and transfers the weight to the supporting structures on either side.

A lintel can be a simple beam, a part of a larger arch system, or any decorative feature.

11. Morter

Mortar is a bonding agent that hardens to bind building blocks such as stones, bricks, and concrete masonry units, to fill and seal the irregular gaps between them, spread the weight of them evenly, and sometimes add decorative colors or patterns to masonry walls.

It serves as a crucial element in masonry work, providing both structural stability and aesthetic cohesion.

12. Parapet

A Parapet is a low protective wall or barrier that extends above the roofline, terrace, balcony, or along the edge of a bridge. Parapets serve several purposes, from safety to decorative elements.
It may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the edge line of the roof surface or maybe a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a firewall or party wall.

13. Plinth

A plinth is a base or platform upon which a structure is built. It serves as the foundation and provides elevation to the building, protecting it from moisture, providing stability, and enhancing its visual appeal.

14. Ramp

A Ramp is an inclined surface that provides a transition between different levels, essential for accessibility, transportation, and managing elevation changes. The design of Ramps has specific considerations for slope, width, surface, and safety features to ensure they are functional and accessible for all users.
They are used in various settings, from public and residential buildings to urban infrastructure, and are regulated by building codes and accessibility standards.

15. Spandrel

A spandrel is a space or surface between two arches or between an arch and a rectangular boundary, serving both functional and decorative purposes. Spandrels are part of various architectural styles and materials, providing structural support, enhancing aesthetics, and optimizing space utilization.
Their design and execution reflect the cultural and architectural context of the building, from historical monuments to modern high-rise structures.

16. Shaft

Shaft generally refers to the main vertical component of a column or pillar. It supports the load from the architrave above and transfers it down to the base or foundation below.
The shaft is a key element in both classical and modern architecture. It symbolizes strength and stability while contributing to the visual and structural integrity of a building.

17. Truss

A truss is an assembly of members such as beams, connected by nodes, that creates a rigid structure. It is a structural framework to support loads. Such as the roof or floors of a building, by distributing the weight through a series of triangular units.
Their design considerations include load distribution, connections, span, and aesthetics, making them a critical component in both traditional and modern architecture.

18. Upholster

Upholster refers to the process of covering furniture, such as chairs, sofas, and seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric. It makes the furniture more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
Upholstery is a key aspect of furniture design and repair, involving both functional and decorative elements.

19. Vault

A vault in architecture is a self-supporting arched form, made of stone or brick, serving as a roof or a ceiling for a space.
Vaults come in various types, including barrel, groin, ribbed, fan, cloister, annular, and parabolic, each with unique characteristics and applications. Historically significant and widely used in religious, public, and residential architecture. Vaults are valued for their strength, stability, and visual impact.

20. Zoning

In Architecture, Zoning designates land use areas to control development and manage urban growth effectively within a community.
Zoning takes into account several factors such as Climate, culture, regional needs, etc.
For example, residential buildings have separate zones like public, semi-public, and private for different activities.

Understanding these architecture terminologies enhances the vocabulary and solidifies the comprehension of building or structural design. Each architecture terminology reflects a rich history and complex architects use to create functional and enduring spaces and structures. Whether you are admiring a historic monument or a modern skyscraper, recognizing the elements mentioned in the architecture terminology list, can provide insight into the architect’s intentions and the structure’s story.

Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Shiwangi Saha