APAH Architecture

facade

the front (or outside face) of a building

oculus

a round or eyelike opening on the roof of the dome

niches

a shallow recess, especially one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament

apse

a large, semicircular recess, arched or with a domed roof, typically at the end of a church, containing the altar

flying buttresses

thick support beams forming from a separate pier, typically forming an arch with the wall it supports

dome

a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base

barrel vault

a vault forming a 1/2 cylinder

doric columns

the simple, circular capitals at the top of columns used in Greek and later Roman architecture

post-and-lintel construction

construction using two columns and a flat stone lain horizontally over the columns

rib vaults

pointed, intersecting vaults that allow for higher ceilings

squinch

straight or arched horizontal structures that support superstructures like domes

entablature

a horizontal, continuous lintel, supported by colomns or a wall

colonnade

a row of columns/posts supporting a roof, entablature, or arcade

pediment

the triangular upper part of the front of a building in the classical style; typically surmounting a portico of columns

pilaster

a rectangular column especially one projecting from a wall

atrium

an open roofed entrance hall

frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration (adorns the entablature)

nave

a central aisle of the church, intended to accommodate most of the congregation

voussoir

wedge shaped stones used to create arches (also referred to as keystones)

groin vault

barrel vaults that intersect at right angles

tympanum

semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, door or window

roundels

a small disk, especially a decorative medallion

portal

an opening in a wall of a building especially a grand entrance to an important structure

pendentive

a curved triangle of vaulting formed by the intersection of a dome with its supporting arches

ionic columns

slender columns with curvilinear ornaments at the top used in Greek and later Roman architecture

corinthian columns

slender columns with highly ornate acnthus leaves and/or detailed capitals used in Greek and later Roman architecure