Architecture

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Architecture

• Vocabulary Illustrated

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What is a bargeboard?Bargeboards -- also called
vergeboards -- hang from the projecting end of a
roof. Bargeboards are often elaborately carved
and ornamented. Homes in the Carpenter Gothic
style have highly ornamented bargeboards. Other
common terms to describe bargeboards and
vergeboards include fly rafters, gable rafters,
gableboards and barge rafters.
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What is a balustrade? A balustrade is a row of
repeating balusters -- small posts which support
the upper rail of a railing. Staircases and
porches often have balustrades.
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What is a battlement?On a castle or fort, a
battlement or a crenellation is a parapet with
open spaces for shooting. The raised portions of
a battlement are called merlons, and the openings
are called embrasures. Masonry buildings in the
Gothic Revival style may have architectural
decoration which resembles battlements.
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What is a buttress?What is a flying buttress? A
buttress is a support -- usually brick or stone
-- built against a wall to support or reinforce
it. A flying buttress is a free-standing buttress
attached to the main structure by an arch or a
half-arch.
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A corbel is an architectural bracket or block
projecting from a wall and supporting (or
appearing to support) a ceiling, beam, or shelf.
A corbel can be made of wood, plaster, marble, or
other materials.
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What is a "cornice"? The cornice is the
uppermost section of moldings along the top of a
wall or just below a roof.
A simple cornice set below the roof.
A highly decorative cornice set along the top of
a wall.
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What is a "cupola"? A cupola is a dome-shaped
ornamental structure placed on the top of a
larger roof or dome. In some cases, the entire
main roof of a tower or spire can be a cupola.
More frequently, however, the cupola is a smaller
structure which sets on top of the main roof.
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What is a dentil molding? A dentil is one of a
series of a series of closely spaced, rectangular
blocks that form a molding. The dentil molding
usually projects below the cornice, along the
roofline of a building. However, the dentil
molding can form a decorative band anywhere on
the structure.
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What is a fanlight?
A fanlight is a semicircular or semi-elliptical
window over a doorway or another window. Federal
or Adam Style homes often have fanlights. Shown
here is a doorway with a fanlight above.
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What is a frieze? A frieze is a horizontal band
which runs above doorways and windows or below
the cornice. The frieze may be decorated with
designs or carvings.
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What is a gargoyle? A gargoyle is a sculpture or
rain spout carved to resemble a grotesque
creature or monster. Gothic cathedrals often have
gargoyles.
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What is "half-timbered" construction? A
"half-timbered" building has exposed wood
framing. The spaces between the wooden timbers
are filled with plaster, brick, or stone.
In Medieval times, many European houses were
half-timbered. The structural timbers were
exposed. In the United States, harsh winters made
half-timbered construction impractical. The
plaster and masonry filling between the timbers
could not keep out cold drafts. Builders began to
cover exterior walls with wood or masonry.
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What is an oriel window? An oriel window
projects from the wall and does not extend to the
ground. Oriel windows originated as a form of
porch. They are often supported by brackets or
corbels. Buildings in the Gothic Revival style
often have oriel windows.
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What is a Palladian window? A Palladian window
is a large window which is divided into three
parts. The center section is larger than the two
side sections, and is usually arched. Renaissance
architecture and other buildings in classical
styles often have Palladian windows. On Adam or
Federal style houses, there is often a Palladian
window in the center of the second story.
The term "Palladian" comes from Andrea Palladio,
a Renaissance architect whose work inspired some
of the greatest buildings in Europe and the
United States. Modeled after classical Greek and
Roman forms, Palladio's buildings often featured
arched openings. Shown here is a detail drawing
of arched windows in Andrea Palladio's basilica.
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What is a parapet? A parapet is a low wall
projecting from the edge of a platform, terrace,
or roof. Parapets may rise above the cornice of a
building or form the upper portion of a defensive
wall on a castle. In Mission style homes, rounded
parapets are often used as decorative features.
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What is a pilaster? A pilaster is a rectangular
support which resembles a flat column. The
pilaster projects only slightly from the wall,
and has a base, a shaft, and a capital. Greek
Revival homes often have pilasters.
Simple Pilaster
Ornate Pilaster
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What is a quatrefoil window? A quatrefoil window
is a round window which is composed of four equal
lobes, like a four-petaled flower. The
quatrefoil pattern is common in Moorish and
gothic architecture. Also, many Mission style
homes have quatrefoil windows.
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References

• Illustration from ArtToday.com
• http//architecture.about.com/library