EE4040 Architecture Kirk

Retaining wall

A masonry wall supported at the top and the bottom, designed to resist soil loads.

Cantilever

Projected construction that is fastened only at one end.

Threshold

The beveled member directly under a door.

Atrium

An inside courtyard of a structure that may be either open at the top or covered with a roof.

Vault

An inclined ceiling area.

Clerestory

A window or group of windows that are placed above the normal window height, often between two roof levels.

Curtain Wall

An exterior wall that provides no structural support, often with a lot of windows.

Casing

The metal, plastic, or wood trim around a door or window.

Jamb

The vertical members of a door or window frame.

Transom

A window located over a door.

Soffit

A lowered ceiling, typically found in kitchens, halls, and bathrooms, typically to allow for recessed lighting, wiring, or HVAC ducts.

Dutch door

A type of door that is divided horizontally in the center so that each half of the door may be opened separately.

Parapet

A portion of a wall that extends above the edge of the roof.

Mullion

A horizontal or vertical divider between sections of a window.

Muntin

A horizontal or vertical divider within a section of a window.

Breezeway

A covered walkway with open sides between two different parts of a structure.

Alcove

A small room adjoining a larger room often separated by an archway.

Cartouche

A panel or tablet, often in round or oval form, often for an inscription or coat of arms.

French door

Exterior or interior doors that have multiple windows along the length of the door.

Balcony

A deck or patio that is above ground level.

Corbel

A projecting bracket of stone, brick, etc., which supports a cornice, arch, or oriel.

Cornice

The part of the roof that extends out from the wall. (focuses more on decoration than eave)

Cupola

A small structure built above the main roof level to provide light or ventilation.

Double-hung windows

Windows with moveable upper and lower sashes.

Eave

The lower part of the roof that projects from the wall. (more general/functional than cornice)

Fixed window

A window that is designed without hinges so it cannot be opened.

Flat roof

A roof with a minimal roof pitch.

Gable Roof

A type of roof with two sloping surfaces that intersect at the ridge of the structure.

Gable

Triangular part of the wall encased by a gable roof.

Hip

The exterior edge formed by the intersection of two sloping roof surfaces.

Hip roof

A roof shape with four sloping sides.

Dormer

A structure that projects from a sloping roof to form another roofed area. This new area is typically used to provide a surface to install a window.

Pilaster

A reinforcing column built into or against a masonry wall. Can be purely decorative.

Sash

An individual frame around a window.

Balustrade

The system of railings and balusters that prevents people from falling over the edge.

Baluster

The vertical posts that hold up the handrail.

Banister

A handrail beside a stairway.

Landing

A platform between two flights of stairs.

Newel

The end post of a stair railing.

Nosing

The rounded front edge of a tread that extends past the riser.

Riser

The vertical member of stairs between the treads.

Tread

The horizontal member of a stair on which the foot is placed.

Stringer

The diagonal structural member that supports the treads and risers.

Spandrel

The triangular space underneath the stairs.