Building Flashcards
The vertical extension of a building or other construction above the foundation
Superstructure
The exterior framework or walls and roof of a building.
Shell
The underlying structure forming the foundation of a building or other construction
Substructure
A group of interacting, interrelated or interdependent things or parts forming a complex or unified whole esp. to serve a common purpose
System
A relatively permanent enclosed structure constructed over a plot of land for habitable use
Building
A building, esp. one of large size, massive structure or imposing appearance
Edifice
A building of exceptional height and many stories, supported by a steel or concrete framework from which the walls are suspended
Skyscraper
Describing a building having a comparatively large number of stories and equipped with elevators
High-rise
A complete horizontal division of a building, having a continuous or nearly continuous floor and compromising the space between 2 adjacent levels
Story
Describing a building having 1-4 stories. Usually, no elevator
Low-rise
5-10 stories
Mid-rise
One of the upper floors of a warehouse or factory, typically unpartitioned and sometimes converted or adapted to other uses, such as living quarters, artists’ studios or exhibit galleries.
Loft
A building having several floors with lee areas of unobstructed space, originally rented out for light industrial purposes and now frequently converted to residential occupancy.
Loft building
An area in a building having a clearance less than human height, but accessible by crawling, esp. such a space below the 1st floor that is enclosed by the foundation walls.
Crawl space
A room for storage of food/wine wholly/partly underground usually beneath a building.
Cellar
A room directly under the roof of a building esp. a house.
Attic
A usable living space within a sloping roof, usually having dormer windows for lighting.
Half-story
A cellar/underground place for shelter during violent storms, such as cyclones, tornadoes, etc.
Storm cellar/ Cyclone cellar
A horizontal or inclined door over a stairway giving access to a cellar.
Bulkhead
A continuous supporting surface extending horizontally throughout a building, having a no. of rooms and constituting one level in the structure.
Floor
A low or partial story between 2 main stories of a building, esp. one that projects as a balcony and forms a composition beneath it.
Mezzanine
The ground floor of a building.
First floor
The floor of a building at or nearest to ground level.
Ground floor
A story of a building that is wholly/partly below ground level.
Basement
Any story or floor below main basement of a building
Subbasement
A sunken area affording access, air & light to a basement door/window
Areaway
The front of a building
Facade
A projecting subdivision of a facade, usually accented by more elaborate decoration or greater height and distinction of skyline
Pavilion
A major horizontal architectural division, as of a facade or the wall of a nave
Story
Any of a number of principal compartments or divisions of a wall, roof or other part of a building marked off by vertical or transverse supports
Bay
A major horizontal division of a wall having no exterior windows.
Blind story
Describing a recess in a wall having the appearance of a window/door, inserted to complete a series of windows or to provide symmetry of design
Blind
An elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building and enclosed by a railing or parapet
Balcony
A facade falsifying the size or importance of a building
False front
A principal facade often treated as a separate element of the design and highlighted by ornamentation
Frontispiece
The design, pro portioning and disposition of windows and other exterior openings of a building
Fenestration
French: describes central element of a building as opposed to its subsidiary wings & pavilions
Corps de logis
A raised platform, approached by steps and sometimes having a roof, at the entrance of a house
Stoop
An exterior appendage to a building forming a covered approach or vestibule to a doorway
Porch
A porch having a roof supported by columns, often leading to the entrance of a building
Portico
A courtyard before the entrance to a building or group of buildings
Forecourt
A vehicular passageway leading through a building or screen wall into an interior courtyard
Porte cochere
A private or side entrance as one for pedestrians next to a porte cochere
Postern
A porch roof projecting over a driveway at he entrance to a building and sheltering those getting in or out of vehicles. Aka carriage porch
Porte cochere
A doorway, gate or entrance esp. an imposing one emphasized by size and stately architectural treatment.
Portal
An open, unroofed porch or platform extending from a house or other building
Deck
An open, often paved area connected to a house or building and serving as an outdoor living area
Terrace
A veranda esp. one used as a living room.
Lanai
A large, open porch usually roofed and partly enclosed, as by a railing often extending across the front and sides of a house
Veranda
A series of regularly spaced columns supporting an entablature and usually one side or a roof structure
Colonnade
A round, domed building or s large and high circular space in such a building esp. one surmounted by a dome
Rotunda
A building or structure high in proportion to its lateral dimensions, either standing alone or forming part of a larger building
Tower
A large building level divided into a number of separate apartments, offices or shops
Block
A colonnaded or arcaded space within the body of a building but open to the air on one side, often at an upper story overlooking an open court.
Loggia
The principal story of a large building, such as a palace or villa, with formal reception and dining rooms usually one flight above the ground floor
Piano nobile
A large or principal courtyard of an Italian palazzo
Cortile
An open, skylit court around which a house or building is built.
A skylit, central court in a building esp. a large interior one having a glass roof and surrounded by several stories of galleries
Atrium
A courtyard esp. of a house enclosed by low buildings, arcades or walls.
Patio
An area open to the sky and mostly or entirely surrounded by walls or buildings
Court
A part of a building projecting from and subordinate to a central or main part
Wing
A rectangular building having little width with respect to its length and height
Slab
Any of a series of columns supporting a building above an open ground level
Piloti
A wing at right angles to the length of a building
Ell
A large, imposing public building or private residence esp. in Italy.
Palazzo
To assert or demand recognition or possession
Claim
To face in a specific direction or look out upon
Front
The position of a building on a site in relation to true north, to points on the compass to s specific place or site feature or to local conditions of sunlight, wind and drainage
Orientation
A whimsical or extravagant structure built to serve as a conversation piece, lend interest to a view, or commemorate a person/event found esp. in 18th C England
Folly
A small often ornamental building in a garden
Pavilion
A freestanding roofed structure, usually open on the sides affording shade and rest in a garden/park
Gazebo
An enclosed garden in Indian architecture
Bagh
A building or architectural feature of a building, designed and situated to look out upon a pleasing scene
Belvedere
Clipped or trimmed into ornamental and fantastic shapes, or the work/art of such clipping
Topiary
An ornamental arrangement of flower beds if different shapes and sizes
Parterre
A structure of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of beams and crossing rafters or trelliswork, over which climbing plants are trained to grow
Pergola
A structure of crossed strips arranged to form a regular pattern of open spaces
Lattice
A frame supporting open latticework, used as a screen or a support for growing vines or plants
Trellis
A shelter of shrubs and branches or of latticework intertwined with climbing vibes and flowers
Arbor
French: a broad walk planted with trees
Allee
Latin America: a boulevard, park or public garden having a promenade lined with shade trees
Alameda
An area used for a stroll, or walk esp. in a public place, for pleasure/display
Promenade
A section of a street, typically in the downtown area of a city, from which vehicular traffic is excluded and used as s public walk/promenade. Aka pedestrian mall
Mall
A square or quadrangular space or court surrounded by a building or buildings as on a college campus
Quadrangle
An open square or public place in a city/town esp. in Italy
Piazza
To combine, blend, or unite gradually by stages so as to blur identity or distinctions
Merge
To enclose or encompass on all sides
Surround
A spacious promenade, court or indoor mall usually having a vaulted roof with commercial establishments
Galleria
