Architecture Flashcards
Greek orders
styles of construction and ornamentation first used in Greek buildings; adopted by the Romans; most easily identified by the capitals; commonly used today as historical references.
capital
a decorative structure at the top of a column; this design is the easiest way to identify the Greek orders.
Doric
the simplest of the Greek orders; the capital includes a round pillow-like stone topped by a flat, rectangular stone.
Ionic
a Greek order; the capital consists of large scrolls
Corinthian
the most complex Greek order; the capital includes stylized leaves and scrolls
post-and-lintel
a structural system with a post spanned by a single piece (e.g. stone columns spanned by a single piece of stone); in wood this is called post and beam.
column
a free-standing vertical structural support
fluting
the vertical grooves carved into columns
arch
a curved structure that spans an opening.
Roman arch
an arch in the shape of a half circle; widely used by the Romans and again in the middle ages (identified then as Romanesque)
Gothic arch
a pointed arch. Developed in the middle ages
arcade
a series of arches side by side
vault
a series of arches, one behind the next, that enclose a space, producing an arched ceiling
tunnel vault
the simplest of vaults, a continuous arched ceiling, with either round or pointed arches.
groin vault
occurs where two tunnel vaults of the same size intersect at a right angle
