Architecture History Unit 2 Vocabulary

Apse

A semicircular or polygonal extension to or termination of a larger rectangular space

Example: Santa Sabina

Narthex

An entrance vestibule you pass through before entering the nave

Example: Old St. Peter’s Basilica 

Transept/Crossing

The horizontal north-south member between the nave and apse

Example: Old St. Peter’s Basilica

Spolia

Materials removed from buildings of an earlier period than that in which are incorporated into other buildings 

Example: Old St. Peter’s Basilica

Mausoleum

A conspicuous freestanding tomb intended as an enduring monument to the person or persons buried inside

Example: Santa Constanza

Drum

A vertical wall supporting a dome, cloister vault, or cupola

Example: Santa Constanza

Pendentive

A concave spandrel leading from the angle of two walls to the base of a circular dome

Example: Hagia Sophia

Hypostyle Mosque

A mosque type dating to the Umayyad period and based upon the house of the Prophet Muhammad, in which the prayer hall is characterized by a forest of columns in the manner of a hypostyle hall

Example: The Great Mosque of Damascus

Romanesque

The architectural style in Europe from about the year 1000 until it was superseded by the Gothic in about 1250. Early Romanesque architecture was characterized by massive and heavy construction, with few windows

Example: St. Sernin

Pilgrimage Church

A type of Romanesque church built on the roads across France and Spain to Santiago de Compostela, where the Shrine of St. James had attracted pilgrims from as early as 844

Example: St. Sernin

Barrel Vault

The simplest form of vault consisting of a continuous vault of semicircular or pointed sections, unbroken in its length by cross vaults 

Example: Palatine Chapel

Cushion Capital

A Romanesque and Byzantine capital cut from a cube, with its lower part rounded off to adapt it to a circular shaft 

Example: St. Sernin

Latin Cross

A cross with three short arms and a long arm 

Example: Basilica of St. Martin

Arcade

A range of arches carried on piers or columns, either free-standing or blind 

Example: Palatine Chapel

Cathedral

The principal church of a diocese

Example: Notre Dame de Chartres

Tracery

The ornamental intersecting work in the upper part of a window, screen, or panel, or used decoratively in blank arches and vaults

Example: The West Portal of Notre Dame de Chartres

Baray

A large man-made reservoir

Example: East Mebon is located at the center of a baray

Mandala

A diagram composed of a circle within a square used as a meditative device; the mandala became the basis for plans of both Buddhist and Hindu temples across India and Southeast Asia

Example: Angkor Wat

Prasat

A Hindu sanctuary defined by a square cella which housed a statue of a divinity. The cella was accessed by a single door to the east. The sanctuary's tower rises in five receding levels, the topmost taking 

the form of a lotus blossom

Example: East Mebon

Quincunx

Five points arranged in a cross; the basis for the arrangement of sanctuaries in Hindu temples at Angkor

Example: East Mebon follows a Quincunx formation

Wat

A Khmer temple

Example: Angkor Wat

Wabi-Sabi

A Japanese aesthetic philosophy that embraces simple rustic forms, age, and imperfections. Wabi connotes simplicity, simplified forms, and rusticity. Sabi refers to an appreciation for the patina of age and imperfection

Example: Ise Shrine

Bodhisattva

Someone who has reached enlightenment but chosen to remain in this world and help others along the path; featured in the niches at the Temple of Borobudur

Example: The niches at the Temple of Borobudur

Kamadhatu

The sphere of desire

Example: Temple of Borobudur

Rupadhatu

The sphere of forms

Example: Temple of Borobudur

Arupadhatu

The sphere of formlessness

Example: Temple of Borobudur

Stupa

A hemispherical funerary mound, the primary form in Buddhist architecture

Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi

Anda

 A hemispherical dome (or egg) erected on the platform and symbolizing the universe; the mound of a stupa

Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi

Pradakshina Path

A raised path for procession around the Anda

Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi

Vedika

The stone railing around the path of the pradakshina path, symbolizing the wooden fences of the ancient Aryans

Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi

Chattra

Umbrella-like form, often multi-tiered, was placed on top of the mast; the ancient Indian emblem of royalty

Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi

Harmika

A cubic receptacle at the top of the dome, originally holding a relic of the Buddha

Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi 

Torana Gates

Provide access to the sacred path at the cardinal points, modeled on wooden prototypes and covered with relics depicting scenes in the life of the Buddha and symbols of his doctrine

Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi