History of Architecture Vocab

Aedicule - niche or shrine framed by two columns supporting an entablature and pediment, set in a temple and containing a statue - more loosely the framing of a door, window or other opening with two columns, piers or pilastersnsupporting a plaque or an entablature and pediment

Apse - ancient roman in origin, a semicircular or polygonal extension to, or termination of a larger rectangular space. often opposite an entrance, usually with a rounded vault.

Tuscan Order - morphologically determined system of elements connected by modular proportions. A column with a base, shaft, capital and entablature, decorated and proportioned according to one of the accepted modes

Doric order - morphologically determined system of elements connected by modular proportions. A column with a base, shaft, capital and entablature, decorated and proportioned according to one of the accepted modes

Ionic order - morphologically determined system of elements connected by modular proportions. A column with a base, shaft, capital and entablature, decorated and proportioned according to one of the accepted modes

Corinthian Order - morphologically determined system of elements connected by modular proportions. A column with a base, shaft, capital and entablature, decorated and proportioned according to one of the accepted modes

Composite Order - morphologically determined system of elements connected by modular proportions. A column with a base, shaft, capital and entablature, decorated and proportioned according to one of the accepted modes

Rusticated Order - word order is improper but used to make reference to this solution, characterised by the use of ashlars also for building the architectural order

Attic - a storey above the entablature, or main cornice of a building and in strictly architectural relation to it

Base - lower part of the column

Base with one torus

Attic base

Pantheon base - composite base with a double central astragal (small semicircular moulding)

Bifora or double light window- common in Italian medieval architecture, a window divided vertically by a column to form two separate arched openings

Binate Columns - coupled columns, pillars or pilasters. constiture together one tectonic system

Volute shaped braket / corbel - projecting block, usually of stone, supporting a beam or other horizontal member. A series, can be used in constructing a vault or arch. brackets are smaller, corbels are larger

Capital shaped bracket / corbel - projecting block, usually of stone, supporting a beam or other horizontal member. A series, can be used in constructing a vault or arch. brackets are smaller, corbels are larger

Capital - the head or crowning feature od a column, pier or pilaster.

Doric or tuscanic Capital

Ionic Capital

Corinthian Capital

Composite Capital - interplay of ionic and corinthian capitals

Caryatid - A sculptured female figure used as a column to support an entablature or other similar member. term also applied loosely to various other columns and pilasters carved wholly or partly in the forn of human figures

Centring - a type of formwork: the temporary structure upon which the stones of an arch or vault are laid during construction

Basilica

One-nave church

Centralised plan, Round church

centralised plan, polygonal church

centralised plan, greek-cross

centralised plan, Quincunx

Crenellation - a parapet, usually on the upper part of a building, with alternating indentations or embrasures and raised portions or merlons also called battlement

Cross-mullioned window - a window whose lights are defined by a mullion and a transom, forming a cross.

Demi-Column - a column half sunk into a wall, a type of engaged column, to be distinguisged from a pilaster

Column - 1. Capital, 2. Shaft, 3. Base, upright structural member, square, round or rectangualar and usually slightly tapering. It can be isolated, engaged or attached to a wall. Normally intended as a support but sometimes erected independently as a monument

Dioclitian Window

Entablature - the upper part of an order consisting of architrave, frieze and cornice

Doric Entablature

ionic entablature

Corinthian Entablature

Exedra - a semicircular or rectangular extension of a building forming internally a recess with raised seats. or more loosely, any apse or niche or the apsidal end of a room or a room opening full width into a larger covered or unvcovered space

Fluting - Shallow, concave grooves running vertically on the shaft of a column or pilaster or other surface. if the lower part is filled with a solid cylindrical piece it is called cabled fluting

can be decorated or not decorated

Mouldings - a continuous projection or groove, used decoratibely to throw shadow or to throw water away from a wall. their contours vary

Moulding - different canonical decorations

Niche - a vertical recess in a wall, pier, etc, usually arched and containing a Maine, urn or other decorative object

Pedestal - the base supporting a column or colonnade, also more loosely the base for a statue or any superstructure

Pediment - low-pitched gable above a portico, formed by running the top member of the entablature along the sides of the gable, also a similar feature above doors, windows etc triangular pediments vs segmental pediments

Pediements - different variations

Pendentive - a concave spandrel leading from the angle of two walls to the base of a circular dome. one of the means by which a circular dome is supported over a square or polygonal compartment

Peristyle - a four-wing archade or colonnade enclosing a quadrangular space, usually rectangualr or squared but can be differently shaped

Pier - solid masonry support, as distinct from a column. frequently used as structural element to bear the weight of domical vaults or domes

Pilaster - a shallow pier or rectangualr column projecting only slightly from a wall and conforming with one of the orders

Pillar - a free-standing upright member which, unlike a column, need not be cylindrical or conform with any of the orders

Rustication - masonry cut in massive blocks (ashlars) separated from each other by deep joints, employed to give a righ and bold texture to an exterior wall and normally reserved for the lower part of it. Various typed have been used

Opus Quadratum - a type of smooth rustication. roman walling / masonry of squared stones, characterised by the same height

String course - a continuous horizontal band set in the surface of an exterior wall or projecting from it and usually moulded

Vault - an arched ceiling or roof of stone, brick or concrete, sometimes imitated in wood or plaster

Vestibule - an anteroom or entrance hall

module

height of the column compared to the base

tectonic

the language of the structure, distinct from the actual structure

ashlar - large blocks of stone that look out of the wall

Portico - can also be protruding meaning not integrated within the building

loggia - like a portico but in the upper levels of a building

monofora or single light window - window with a single opening

keeled (single light) windows - window recreating a ship’s keel in venetian style