Architectural Vocabulary

Introduction

Architecture is a mix of art and science. It’s how we turn creative ideas into safe, solid buildings. To understand how buildings are made, it helps to know the special words architects use. In the list below you will find more than 100 essential terms.

1. Abutment
   Support structure at the end of an arch or bridge that holds weight and resists pressure from above.

2. Acoustics
   How sound behaves in a space. Good acoustics improve clarity and reduce echoes or noise.

3. Adaptive Reuse
   Repurposing an old building for a new function while preserving its structure and character.

4. Aesthetics
   The visual quality and style of a building, shaped by form, color, proportion, and materials.

5. Anthropometrics
   Human body measurements used to design spaces and objects for comfort, function, and accessibility.

6. Arcade
   A series of arches supported by columns, creating a covered walkway or decorative façade.

7. Arch
   A curved structural element that spans an opening and distributes loads to supports on either side.

8. Art Deco
   A 1920s–30s style with bold geometry, symmetry, and decorative patterns in metal, glass, and stone.

9. Atrium
   A central open space in a building, often multi-story and topped with glass to bring in light.

10. Balance
    Visual or spatial stability in a design, achieved through symmetry or well-proportioned elements.

11. Balustrade
    A safety railing with vertical supports, used on staircases, balconies, and rooftops.

12. Baroque
    A highly ornate European style with curves, dramatic shapes, and rich details.

13. Bay
    A repeating vertical division in a building, marked by windows, columns, or beams.

14. Beam
    A horizontal structural member that supports loads between walls, columns, or other supports.

15. BIM
    Building Information Modeling: a digital 3D model that includes design and technical construction data.

16. Biophilic Design
    Integrating nature into architecture using plants, daylight, natural textures, and views.

17. Blueprint
    A technical drawing that shows the layout, structure, and specifications of a building.

18. Brick
    A durable rectangular building block used in walls, facades, and pavements.

19. Brise Soleil
    A permanent sun-shading element on a building’s exterior to reduce glare and heat.

20. Brutalism
    An architectural style using raw concrete and strong, blocky forms for visual impact.

21. Building Code
    Regulations that ensure buildings are safe, accessible, and up to construction standards.

22. Building Envelope
    The outer shell of a building—walls, roof, doors, and windows—that separates inside from outside.

23. Building Footprint
    The exact area of land a building occupies on a site.

24. Buttress
    An exterior support built against a wall to resist lateral forces and increase stability.

25. CAD
    Computer-Aided Design software used to create architectural plans and construction drawings.

26. Canopy
    A projecting roof or cover providing shade or shelter over a doorway or path.

27. Cantilever
    A projecting structure anchored at one end, like a balcony or overhang without vertical support.

28. Charrette
    An intense design session where architects and stakeholders rapidly develop and refine ideas.

29. Circulation
    The movement of people through a building via halls, stairs, paths, and elevators.

30. Cladding
    Exterior panels or layers that protect a building and give it visual character.

31. Classical Architecture
    Design inspired by ancient Greek and Roman styles, using symmetry, columns, and proportion.

32. Clerestory
    A high row of windows near the roofline that brings natural light into a space.

33. Column
    A vertical structural support that carries loads from above to the foundation.

34. Concept
    The central design idea or theme that guides the development of a project.

35. Concrete
    A mix of cement, sand, gravel, and water that hardens into a strong building material.

36. Construction Documents
    Detailed drawings and specifications used to guide the building process.

37. Context
    The physical and cultural environment around a building, influencing its design.

38. Contrast
    The use of opposing elements—light and dark, smooth and rough—to create visual interest.

39. Cornice
    A decorative horizontal trim at the top of a wall or building.

40. Courtyard
    An open space enclosed by walls or buildings, used for light, air, or gathering.

41. Curtain Wall
    A non-structural outer wall, often made of glass, that encloses a building’s structure.

42. Daylighting
    Using natural light to brighten interior spaces and reduce artificial lighting.

43. Deconstructivism
    A design approach that breaks conventional form with fragmented shapes and non-linear geometry.

44. Design Development
    The project phase where ideas become refined, detailed drawings with materials and systems.

45. Dome
    A rounded roof structure that spans large spaces without interior supports.

46. Dormer
    A window set into a roof slope, used to add light and usable space to upper floors.

47. Eave
    The edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall to provide shade and protection.

48. Egress
    A safe and legal path to exit a building, important for fire and safety codes.

49. Elevation
    A flat drawing that shows one side of a building, including height and materials.

50. Ergonomics
    Designing spaces and objects for comfort and efficiency based on human movement.

51. Expansion Joint
    A flexible gap that allows movement in a structure due to temperature changes.

52. Façade
    The exterior face of a building, often the front and most designed side.

53. False Ceiling
    A secondary ceiling below the main one, hiding services or improving acoustics.

54. Fenestration
    The arrangement and design of windows and openings on a building’s surface.

55. Floor Area Ratio
    A zoning metric comparing total floor area to lot size to regulate building density.

56. Floor Plan
    A top-down drawing showing room layouts, walls, doors, and circulation.

57. Form
    The shape and volume of a building or element in three-dimensional space.

58. Foundation
    The part of a building that rests on the ground and supports the entire structure.

59. Function
    The purpose of a space or element, such as sleeping, cooking, or gathering.

60. Gable
    The triangular wall section at the end of a sloped roof.

61. Glass
    A transparent material used in windows, walls, and partitions to admit light.

62. Gothic Architecture
    A medieval style with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and tall stained-glass windows.

63. Green Building
    Design focused on energy efficiency, low environmental impact, and occupant health.

64. Green Roof
    A roof covered with vegetation to manage rainwater, reduce heat, and provide insulation.

65. Harmony
    A sense of unity in design where elements work together visually and spatially.

66. Hierarchy
    The arrangement of elements by importance, often shown by size or location.

67. HVAC
    Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems that manage indoor comfort and air quality.

68. Insulation
    Materials used to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency.

69. Islamic Architecture
    A style featuring domes, courtyards, arches, and geometric patterns rooted in cultural tradition.

70. Keystone
    The top stone in an arch that locks the other stones into place.

71. Lintel
    A horizontal support above doors or windows, holding up the structure above.

72. Load-Bearing Wall
    A wall that supports structural loads in addition to dividing spaces.

73. Massing
    The overall form and volume of a building, considered early in the design process.

74. Master Plan
    A long-term planning document showing land use, circulation, and development strategy.

75. Mezzanine
    A partial floor between two main floors, used for extra space or storage.

76. Minimalist Architecture
    A design style using clean lines, neutral colors, and only essential elements.

77. Model
    A physical or digital 3D representation used to study or present a building design.

78. Modern Architecture
    A 20th-century movement emphasizing function, simplicity, and new materials like concrete and steel.

79. Modular Design
    Design using standardized units that can be combined or repeated flexibly.

80. Mullion
    A vertical element separating panes of glass in a window or curtain wall.

81. Net-Zero Energy
    A building that generates as much energy as it consumes annually.

82. Orientation
    A building’s placement relative to sun, wind, and views, affecting comfort and efficiency.

83. Ornamentation
    Decorative elements that enhance the visual character of a building or detail.

84. Parametric Design
    Using algorithmic tools to generate complex forms based on adjustable parameters.

85. Parapet
    A low wall along a roof or balcony edge, used for safety or concealment.

86. Parti
    A simple sketch or idea that captures the core concept of a design.

87. Passive Design
    Design strategies that use natural resources to regulate temperature and reduce energy use.

88. Pediment
    A triangular decorative element above a door, window, or portico.

89. Perspective
    A drawing method that simulates depth, used to visualize space in 3D.

90. Pilaster
    A flat, column-like element attached to a wall for decoration and rhythm.

91. Plinth
    A base block that supports a column, statue, or wall, often elevating it from the ground.

92. Portico
    A covered entrance supported by columns, often leading into a grand building.

93. Postmodern Architecture
    A style that reintroduces ornament, color, and historic reference in response to modernism.

94. Prefabrication
    Making building parts off-site to be quickly assembled on the construction site.

95. Program
    A list of spaces and functions that a building must fulfill, guiding the design.

96. Rectilinear
    Design using straight lines and right angles, resulting in clean, simple geometry.

97. Reinforced Concrete
    Concrete with embedded steel bars for added strength and flexibility.

98. Renaissance Architecture
    A revival of classical styles marked by symmetry, geometry, and proportion.

99. Rendering
    A visual image showing what a proposed design will look like, often digital.

100. Rhythm
     A repeated design element—windows, columns—that creates order or visual movement.

101. Roof
     The top covering of a building, protecting it from weather and sometimes providing usable space.

102. Section
     A vertical cut through a building showing internal structure and relationships.

103. Setback
     The minimum distance a building must be from the property line, dictated by zoning.

104. Site Analysis
     An evaluation of a location’s climate, views, access, and conditions for design.

105. Site Plan
     A drawing that shows the building in relation to its property lines, landscape, and access points.

106. Skylight
     A roof window that brings natural light into the space below.

107. Skyscraper
     A very tall multi-story building, typically steel-framed and used for offices or housing.

108. Slab
     A flat concrete plate used for floors or ceilings in building construction.

109. Space
     The volume between walls, floors, and ceilings where activity occurs.

110. Staircase
     A series of steps connecting different building levels.

111. Story
     A level of a building between two floors.

112. Sustainability
     Design that reduces environmental impact and conserves resources for future generations.

113. Symmetry
     Balance achieved by mirroring elements across a central axis.

114. Topography
     The shape and features of the land where a building is placed.

115. Typology
     The classification of buildings by use or form—like library, stadium, or house.

116. Universal Design
     Design that is accessible and usable by people of all ages and abilities.

117. Urban Fabric
     The physical layout and structure of a city, including streets, blocks, and buildings.

118. Urban Planning
     The organization and design of towns and cities, balancing growth, infrastructure, and community.

119. Vault
     An arched ceiling or roof used to span spaces in stone or concrete construction.

120. Veneer
     A thin surface layer of material, like stone or wood, applied over a wall.

121. Vernacular Architecture
     Local architecture using regional materials, techniques, and traditions suited to climate and culture.

122. Vestibule
     A small entrance hall or space between the outer door and the interior.

123. Victorian Architecture
     A 19th-century style with decorative trim, asymmetrical facades, and steeply pitched roofs.

124. Visualization
     Creating drawings or models to represent and test a building design before it's built.

125. Zoning
     Legal regulations that control land use, building size, and placement within a municipality.

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