a metallic material that has lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong properties making it a favoured choice for various building applications. From structural components to architectural details, aluminum contributes to construction by offering both functional and aesthetic benefits.
a period revival based upon broad interpretations of New England Colonial, Beaux-Arts Classicism, Georgian or Southern Colonial styles; Dutch and Spanish Colonial elements were also popular
a curved structure spanning across the top of an opening in a vertical surface (such as a wall)
the art and science of designing and building structures
the lowest member of an entablature
a design movement shunning imitation of past styles; popular primarily in the 1890s; characterized by stylized undulating natural forms such as waves, flower stems, leaves and flowing hair
a design movement in architecture led by the British designer, William Morris (1834-1896); characterized by stylized, two-dimensional forms, naturally finished materials and hand-crafted production; in the first two decades of the 20th century The Craftsman magazine was an influential exponent of these design principles in the United States; it is also referred to as the Craftsman movement
hewn stone blocks with straight-cut edges
a composition that is off-balance with respect to a point of reference, such as an imaginary centre-line, as it is drawn through the plan of a façade
the space beneath the sloping pitch of a roof and above the uppermost full storey of a building
a structural platform extending from the wall of a building and enclosed with a balustrade; supported from below or cantilevered from a supporting wall
balusters are upright posts that support a handrail/a balustrade is a series of balusters under a handrail (as in a porch or stair railing)
a board, often decorative, covering the projecting edge of a gable roof
a style that developed in 17th century Italy from the late Renaissance style; characterized by the use of interacting oval spaces, curved forms, exuberant decoration, sculpture and colour
a vertical element such as a wall or a column that slopes in from the base; the wall or column appears to flare outwards at its base
a regularly repeated visual division of a façade, usually related to the building’s structural system; division often indicated by pilasters, columns or piers on the façade
a roofed window unit that projects from an exterior wall; projection could be angular or curved
a horizontal structural member that spans an opening
a slender, horizontal band that projects from an exterior wall often at window sill or interior floor levels
wide vertical wood sheathing (boards) with narrow vertical wood strips (battens) covering the joints between the boards
box-like massing is a design approach that emphasizes simplicity, clean lines, and the strategic arrangement of rectangular volumes
an angular support for a horizontal element that projects from a wall
made from clay that is molded, dried, and fired in a kiln, resulting in a sturdy, durable, and visually appealing material. It’s used in walls, facades, arches, pavements, and more, both for functional and aesthetic purposes.
a vertical structural member resembling a massive post built against an exterior wall; designed to absorb outward-pushing (lateral) forces of a roof
the unsupported end of a beam that overhangs a wall, column post or pier
the decorative feature at the top of a column or pilaster
a window type where the sash is hinged along its vertical edge and swings to the side like a door
a V-shaped decoration typically used in a continuous band as a moulding
the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, and subsequent styles derived from these; characterized by the use of the five orders of classical columns consisting of the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders of Hellenic Greece and the Tuscan and Composite orders of Imperial Rome
an upright post, usually a tapered cylinder, used for support or decoration; in classical architecture a column consists of a base, shaft and capital
a masonry unit or series of masonry units that progressively step out from a supporting wall or column; creates a shelf or bracket to support overhanging masonry walls or corbel tables, the bases of arches, ornamental elements, etc.
a projecting line of masonry or belt courses supported by corbels
a horizontal, projecting decorative moulding along the top of a wall or building, or the top portion of an entablature
a series of square indentations in a parapet giving a castle-like appearance
a small domed structure on top of a roof or larger dome
a non-loadbearing, prefabricated exterior cladding system usually consisting of steel or masonry spandrel panels and glazing (window) panels attached to a structural frame of steel or concrete
a roof structure in the shape of a portion of a sphere
barrier in a wall opening that swings open to a space beyond the opening
a roofed projection from a sloping roof often with a window
a window type with two sashes arranged vertically that opens by sliding the upper sash down or the lower sash up
a joint in cabinetry and square log construction, consisting of interlocking ‘V’-shaped cuts
a divided door in which the upper and lower halves move independently of each other
the part of a sloping roof that overhangs a wall
the exterior face of a building (includes front, side, and back walls)
the post-1900 revival of an earlier English style of architecture named after Elizabeth I (1533-1603), and typified by large, mullioned, rectangular windows, bay windows and half-timbering
the upper horizontal part of a Classical order, consisting of the cornice, frieze and architrave; similar to a beam
the exterior face or presentable front of a building
a semi-circular window over a door with radiating bars (or muntins) resembling a fan
an ornament at the top of a roof gable, spire or other architectural feature
The slope of a roof aids in emphasizing the proportions of the mass. A flat roof is almost level in contrast to sloped roofs and tends to emphasize horizontal aspects.
the central band in a classical entablature above the architrave and below the cornice; or often a decorative band running under the cornice of an interior or exterior wall
the triangular upper portion of a wall formed by the slopes of a pitched roof
a roof with gables at each end
similar to a gable roof but with two pitches on each side of the roof peak
Also known as glass bricks, are architectural elements made from thick, translucent or transparent glass. Particularly popular in Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern, they’re employed for their aesthetic and functional qualities, bringing a blend of light, privacy, and decorative appeal.
a method of construction where the spaces in a timber-frame wall are filled with rubble or brickwork; or where the appearance of this construction is achieved by applied surface decoration
the top of a window or door opening
that which has been conveyed from the past, or handed down through time by tradition
a roof with slopes on all sides of the building; the sloping ridge created where two slopes join together
a style of architecture related to the rule of James I of England (1603-1625), characterized by an eclectic mix of Gothic and Palladian motifs
the vertical member on each side of a window or door opening
a moulding that runs across the top and part-way down the sides of a window or door opening
a horizontal beam over a window or door opening that carries the weight of the wall above the opening
a shallow or gradual sloped roof
a roof having two different slopes on all sides; the lower slope being steeper than the upper slope
the organization of three-dimensional volumes or spaces into a coherent composition
in a double-hung window, the horizontal element created where the top of the lower sash frame meets the bottom of the upper sash frame when the window is closed
a decorative element that defines edges, joints or surfaces through the use of a continuous profile.
a vertical member between adjacent window sashes or between windows and doors
a small member that supports several pieces of glass within a sash
a bulbous dome with a pointed peak on top of a cupola, tower or turret; typical of Eastern European architecture
a bay window located on an upper storey
a classical window style with a tall, often arched central opening flanked on each side by shorter windows with flat window heads; closely identified with the Italian architect, Andrea Palladio (1508-1580)
the portion of an exterior wall that projects above the edge of a roof area
a part of a façade given prominence because it projects out from the façade; often having a higher or lower height and its own roof; usually located centrally or at one or both ends of a façade
in classical architecture, the triangular end of a low-pitched gable; a triangular element used over doors and windows
an ornamental feature that hangs down from a supporting structure or architectural feature
the last phase of Gothic architecture developed in England ca. 1350-1550; the style features a strong vertical emphasis in its structure and decorative elements; interiors often feature highly decorative fan vaults (ceilings highlighted with a lacy network of structural and decorative ribs, or vaults)
in the 17th century, picturesque buildings would look as if they came from the romanticized landscape paintings of the day, such as those by Claude and Poussin; by the late 18th century picturesque buildings were a visually interesting assemblage of asynimetrically arranged forms with a variety of textures; picturesque motifs were applied in particular to cottage and Italianate and Gothic style villas
a massive vertical support of masonry, placed under columns, arches or walls to support a concentration of loads
a shallow pier or post, often decorative, projecting slightly from the surface of a wall; resembles a square post attached to a wall
a small vertical ornament with a spire-like pyramidal or conical shape, usually used to crown buttresses or the corners of parapets and towers
the angle at which a roof slopes from its peak to its eaves
an arch that is pointed at the top, often characteristic of Gothic architecture
composed of more than two colours
a structure projecting from a building and located in front of an entrance; usually roofed, often open-sided and occasionally supporting a balcony above
an open-sided porch with a column-supported roof
a vertical support member, similar to a column; wood posts can be turned on a lathe to create an ornamental silhouette
constructed or manufactured, often in a factory, for assembly at a later date at a building site
the relationship of the dimensions, shapes and quantity of individual elements of a building (such as windows and doors) and their composition as a whole building
horizontal structural members that run perpendicularly across the top edges of roof trusses, rafters, trusses or beams; the purlins support the roof covering
a hip roof where the sloping ridges (or hips) rise to a single point, creating a pyramid-like shape
stones or bricks used to decoratively emphasize the outside corners of a building
a structural roof member that slopes up from the wall to the ridge or peak of a roof and supports the roof covering
a sculptural ornamental design slightly raised from or recessed from the surface
a style first developed in 15th century Italy, marking the return to classical (i.e., Greek and Roman) art and learning; originally characterized by the use of the classical architectural orders and round arches arranged in a symmetrical composition
a regularly repeating sequence or pattern, composed of alternating masses and voids, light and shadow, or different colours
a series of windows separated by narrow mullions arranged side-by-side to form a continuous band
a beam that supports rafters at the ridge of a roof
stonework emphasized by recessed joints or roughly cut block faces
a corner joint used in round log construction, consisting of semi-circular notches cut near the ends of the logs
the framework that holds a piece of glass or several small pieces of glass
an arch in the shape of a segment of a circle
the exterior cladding of a building
a roof sloping to only one side
a style that first developed in the late 18th century in the United States, characterized by the extensive use of wood shingles on roofs and walls; large roof areas tending to flow into one another and an asymmetrical arrangement of forms
wood or asphalt tiles for covering roofs and walls
hinged panels used to cover and protect window openings
windows located at the sides of doors
the horizontal piece forming the bottom of a window or door opening
panels with windows above and below, spanning between vertical support posts or mullions
lathe-turned wood elements, often used as balusters and porch decoration
a tall, narrow, steep roof structure ending in a point, rising from a tower or roof peak
a versatile and enduring material that architects and designers use to enhance the aesthetics, functionality, and longevity of buildings
a metallic material with versatility, strength, and adaptable properties that significantly impacted design and construction, from iconic skyscrapers to contemporary residential homes
a high degree of slope on a roof
the habitable space between a floor and a ceiling, floor or roof above; may not include basements and attics due to local building ordinances; if habitable (i.e., intended for human use), attics are usually considered a half or a three-quarter storey due to reduced headroom under the roof slopes
a heavy coating of a cement, lime, sand and water mixture applied to a wall surface as its exterior finish
trim around a door or window opening
a compositional balance with respect to a point of reference such as an imaginary centre-line, as it is drawn through the plan or façade
fired clay cast in moulds, often used for decorative elements or to clad a building exterior
a roof composed of thick layers of reeds, straw or other plant matter attached to rafters and purlins
a building, either freestanding or attached as a prominent element of another building, of great height compared to its floor area; a slender, tall structure usually rising above the building to which it is attached
a pattern of interlocking muntins in the upper part of a Gothic window
a window located above a door and separated by a horizontal element between the door and the light known as a transom bar
a structural element assembled from a number of individual structural elements fastened together and used to span a distance
the last phase of the Perpendicular Gothic style during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII (1485 to 1547); identifiable by the use of shallow arches that come to a subtle point (known as a four-centred or Tudor arch)
a small, slender tower characteristically projecting from the corner of a building
a roof or ceiling structure over an area that is based on the form of an arch
a roofed porch or balcony attached to the elevation of a building
a thick, paint-like material using lime that was brushed onto log structures to provide a white finish to the walls
glazed (i.e., glass-covered) opening in a wall used to admit light and often to permit air flow through the wall opening
a structural system composed of lightweight, milled dimensioned lumber (i.e., 2×4 or 2×6 nominal dimensions), in which vertical members (studs) are fastened to top and bottom members (plates) with nails
