Adobe: Building material such as mud brick or rammed earth, used in locations like Mali and Mesa Verde.
Anthropomorphic: The tendency to attribute human elements in architecture.
Arcade: A covered walkway created by a series of arches.
Architecture Parlante: Architecture designed based on the needs of the people living in it. Example: cock-shaped brothel house.
Banco: A specific type of adobe.
Baptistry: A building next to a church for baptizing ceremonies.
Barberini: A notable family of Italian nobility.
Barrel Vault: An architectural feature characterized by a rounded arched ceiling.
Basilica: A church with a floor plan resembling a cross.
Campanile: A bell tower located next to a church.
Cantilever: A structural element that is supported on one end and projects outwards.
Capital: The top part of a column, often ornate.
Cenotaph: An empty tomb or monument erected in honor of a person.
Chahar Bagh Plan: A garden layout characterized by four quadrants created by two intersecting axes, usually with a square in the middle.
Chinoiserie: The imitation of Chinese motifs in Western architecture.
City Beautiful Movement: An urban planning movement aiming to enhance public spaces for health and aesthetics.
Classical Orders: The architectural styles of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.
Clerestory: The upper part of a church wall that contains windows.
Coffer: A recessed panel in a ceiling or dome.
Colonnade: A series of columns supporting a roof or roof-like structure.
Colossal Order: Columns that extend multiple stories in height.
Cornice: A decorative crowning feature located at the top of a building.
Crenellation: Features on the top of castle walls designed for defense.
Crossing Square: The area at the intersection of the nave and transept in church architecture.
Curtain Wall: A non-load bearing wall that hangs from the structure.
De re aedificatoria: A treatise by Alberti discussing architectural design based on Vitruvian principles.
Deutsche Werkbund: A German association of architects and artists during the Bauhaus movement.
Drawings: Architectural representations, including plans, elevations, perspectives, and sections.
Drum: The cylindrical part at the base of a dome.
Dry Garden: A garden design featuring sand or gravel, often associated with Zen gardens.
Eclecticism: A style that combines elements from different eras in architecture.
École des Beaux-Arts: A prominent architecture school in France.
Élan Vital: A philosophical term meaning vital force.
English Gardens: A style of landscaping consisting of interconnected garden pathways.
Enlightenment: A significant philosophical movement that emphasized reason and individualism.
Engineer’s Aesthetic: An architectural style focused on structure and form.
Fin-de-Siècle: Refers to the end of a century, particularly the 19th century.
Five Points (Corbusier): The five elements of modern architecture: pilotis, roof garden, open floor plan, long windows, and free facade.
Flock of Geese Plan: An architectural layout resembling a flock of geese.
Follies and Mock Ruins: Decorative structures that give the illusion of being ruined for aesthetic enjoyment.
Friday Mosque: A mosque located in Isfahan, typically central to the community's prayer practices.
Fusama: Sliding wall panels that may feature decorative elements while remaining translucent.
Futurist Manifesto: Italian manifesto celebrating modernism and technology, often characterized by absurd ideas.
Gesamtkunstwerk: A term meaning 'total work of art,' integrating multiple forms of art into a configuration.
Greek Cross Plan: Church design featuring a central square and four equal arms.
Haussmannization: The extensive renovation of Paris undertaken by Baron Haussmann in the 19th century.
Horror Vacui: A fear of leaving empty spaces in art and architecture.
I-beam: A structural beam with an 'I' shaped cross-section.
Iconoclasm: The opposition to or destruction of religious icons and symbols.
Intarsia: Woodworking technique creating intricate mosaics using different shapes and types of wood.
International Style: Architectural style characterized by rectilinear forms and minimal decoration.
Kiva: A ceremonial structure used by Native Americans, often sunken into the ground.
Lantern: A small cupola or structure with decorative elements, traditionally placed on top of a dome.
Linear Perspective: A mathematical system used to create the illusion of depth in art and architecture, pioneered by Brunelleschi.
Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports the structure above it.
Mannerism: An artistic style that emerged after the Renaissance, characterized by complexity and stylization.
Martyrium: A building or shrine commemorating Christian martyrs.
Medici: A powerful family of the Renaissance era, known for their patronage in the arts.
Mihrab: A niche in a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca.
Minaret: A tall tower associated with mosques, from which the call to prayer is announced.
Mortise and Tenon Joinery: A woodworking joint that connects two pieces, commonly found in East Asian architecture.
Mughal Empire: A significant empire in South Asia during the early modern period known for its architectural achievements.
Muqarnas: A decorative element in Islamic architecture resembling a honeycomb or stalactite formation.
Nave: The central part of a church, typically where the congregation gathers.
Neoclassicism: A movement aimed at reviving Classical architecture with modern materials and techniques.
New Urbanism: An urban planning philosophy promoting walkable neighborhoods with accessible public spaces.
Oculus: A circular opening in a dome or wall, allowing light to enter an interior space.
Open Plan: An architectural layout emphasizing spaciousness without interior walls.
Organic Architecture: Design emphasizing harmony with the natural environment; curvilinear forms are common.
Ornament and Crime: An essay by Adolf Loos critiquing excessive ornamentation in architecture.
Pagoda: A tiered tower often found in Buddhist architecture.
Palazzo: An Italian term for a grand urban residence.
Panopticon: An institutional building design allowing a single guard to observe all inmates.
Panterre: A layout for dividing garden beds.
Pediment: The triangular upper part of a building, typically seen in Classical architecture.
Peripteral Temple: A temple surrounded by a single row of columns on all sides.
Piazza: An open public square in an Italian city.
Pietra Serena: A gray sandstone used in Renaissance architecture.
Pilaster: A rectangular column, often decorative, set into a wall.
Pilgrimage: A journey made for religious purposes.
Pilotis: The structural columns that raise a building above ground level.
Pishtaq: A rectangular frame surrounding an arch, often decorative.
Polychromy: The use of various colors in decoration.
Portico: A structure with a roof supported by columns, leading to the entrance of a building.
Post and Lintel: A method of construction using vertical posts and horizontal beams.
Prairie House: An architectural style emphasizing horizontal lines rather than verticality.
Purism: An architectural movement led by Le Corbusier focusing on geometric forms.
Quattro Libri: A classical architectural treatise by Andrea Palladio concerning building design.
Reformation and Counter-Reformation: Religious movements that reshaped church architecture, resulting in the Baroque era.
Reinforced Concrete: A construction material used extensively in modern buildings and skyscrapers.
Reliquary: A container designed to hold and display religious relics.
Shakkei: The concept of "borrowed scenery" in Japanese gardens, integrating the surrounding landscape.
Shogun: A term for a military ruler in Japan.
Shoji: Translucent sliding doors or screens used in traditional Japanese architecture.
Sixtus V: A Pope associated with the Baroque architectural style.
Skeletal Frame or Metal Cage Construction: Refers to buildings composed predominantly of steel frameworks.
Solomonic Columns: Twisted columns, often seen in Baroque architecture.
Spandrel: The triangular area formed between the outer curve of an arch and a rectangular outline.
Stroll Garden: A walking garden, typically designed for leisurely walks, associated with traditional Japanese gardens.
Stuart and Revett: Historians known for their studies of Greek ruins.
Stupa: A dome-shaped structure associated with Buddhist architecture, serving as a reliquary.
Suspension Bridge: A bridge that is held up by cables or chains; an example is the Brooklyn Bridge.
Tatami: Traditional Japanese flooring mats, creating patterns and textures in living spaces.
Terracotta: Clay-based ceramic material used in architectural decor.
The Picturesque: An aesthetic ideal that values the visual qualities of architecture in relationship to landscapes.
The Primitive Hut: An essay by Laugier arguing for the simplicity and organic nature of building forms.
The Sublime: A concept in art referring to an aesthetic quality that inspires awe or wonder.
The White City: Refers to the architectural theme of the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893.
Thin-Shell Concrete: A lightweight yet strong form of concrete used in architecture.
Toguna: A meeting place for elders in Dogon villages, characterized by its low, wide roof.
Topiary: The art of shaping plants into specific forms or designs through pruning.
Toron Sticks: Climbing sticks often found in Saharan architecture, especially in mosques.
Trivium: A point where three pathways diverge, often seen in garden or urban designs.
Vaulting: The construction of an arching framework that supports the roof or ceiling.
Vernacular: Architecture that reflects local traditions, materials, and cultural practices.
Vers une architecture: An influential essay by Le Corbusier advocating for modern architectural principles.
Vestibule: An entry space or antechamber near the main entrance of a building.
Villa: Term for a large country house, often used during the Roman era by the upper class.
Vitruvius: An ancient Roman architect and philosopher; known for the Vitruvian Man concept.
Voussoir: A wedge-shaped stone used in the construction of arches and vaults.
Wabi-Sabi: A Japanese aesthetic that embraces natural imperfection and the beauty of aging.
Wasmuth Portfolio: A published collection by Frank Lloyd Wright showcasing modernist architecture.
Wengcheng Diagram: A conceptual 3x3 grid structure with an emphasis on centrality.
Topkapi Palace Complex: Features a connection of interior and exterior spaces, multiple domes, large arcades supported by doric columns, and a middle gate decorated with inscriptions.
Taj Mahal: Renowned Islamic architectural marvel, a white marble tomb symbolizing love.
Forbidden City: Chinese architectural complex characterized by its two-tier double-eave roofs and main axis leading to Tiananmen Square.
Himeji Castle: Japanese castle notable for heart pillars and family crests representing butterfly motifs from the Edo period.
Ninomaru Palace: Japanese architectural example featuring a Flock of Geese plan, post-and-lintel construction, and decorative fusama (sliding panels).
Iron Bridge: Neoclassical bridge in Coalbrookdale, England, showcasing early use of steel.
Chiswick House: Neoclassically designed villa with geometric domes and decorative elements.
Kenwood House: A harmonious blend of classical and rococo styles, noted for its pastel interiors and classical orders.
Stourhead: An English garden reminiscent of Versailles, featuring simple arch truss bridges over water.
Neoclassical Mock Ruins: Architectural elements resembling Greek temples, featuring domes and classical symmetry.
Royal Pavilion: Inspired by the Taj Mahal, it emphasizes exoticism with bulbous shapes and motifs.
Carceri: Neoclassical artwork exploring the themes of chaos and transition into industrialism.
Cenotaph for Isaac Newton: A structure exemplifying romantic neoclassicism and a tribute to the sublime.
Ste. Genevieve (Pantheon): A Classical building reflecting democratic ideals in 18th century France.
Josephine Baker Tomb: An example of meaningful architectural tribute.
Salines des Chaux: Proposed unified community emphasizing architecture parlante.
Altes Museum: Neoclassical structure with classical front columns.
State Capitol: An example of associationalism emphasizing classical elements to express democracy.
University of Virginia: Features a structured plan leading towards a library designed as a Greek temple.
Bibliothèque Ste. Geneviève: Showcases structural rationalism through its architectural trusses and functional design.
Crystal Palace: A Victorian structure showcasing the unique application of steel and glass in a modern context.
Brooklyn Bridge: An iconic suspension bridge illustrating advanced engineering.
Reliance Building: A work of architecture reflecting modern materials and industrial function.
Wainwright Building: An early example of skyscraper design principles.
Rebuilding of Paris (Metro): Characterized by its covered pavilions and decorative elements leading to underground transit.
Casa Mila: Celebrated for its organic form and extensive use of decorative details.
Robie House: An example of prairie style emphasizing horizontal lines and open interior layouts.
Unity Temple: Highlights the use of reinforced concrete in design.
Connections to Classical Churches: Notable for their floor plans and designed columns.
Larkin Building: Represents modern industrial architecture with innovative systems and spatial structures.
Muller House: A mansion emphasizing integration with its natural surroundings.
AEG Turbine Hall: A symbol of industrial power and modern engineering aesthetics.
The Bauhaus: An influential school promoting functional and modernist architectural principles.
German Pavilion: A showcase of modernist designs and functionality.
Citta Nuova: Represents a fresh approach in architectural design, born out of futurism's ideas.
Villa Savoye: An iconic international style home accommodating a car-centric lifestyle, showcases Corbusier's five points.
Illinois Institute of Technology: An embodiment of tabula rasa urbanism, emphasizing freshness in design.
Seagram Building: A representative of the International style, with an emphasis on minimalistic forms.
MESP Building: Reinforces Corbusier’s five points with innovative glazing and sustainable design choices.
Notre Dame du Haut: Represents modern monumentality in a landscape setting with organic features.
Guggenheim: Architecture distinguished by modern twists on natural forms.
TWA Terminal: Incorporates natural design motifs throughout its interiors and facades.
Museum of Art: Characterized by pilotis and a dynamic relationship between structure and function.
Capsule Towers: A modular, futuristic design that emphasizes versatility in living spaces.
Centre Pompidou: An architectural exploration of movement as a design element, with an “inside-out” appearance.
Vanna Venturi House: A post-modern creation that blends classical elements with asymmetrical designs.
Portland Building: A post-modern attempt to draw on historical traditions while reinterpreting meaning in architecture.
Classical Elements: Featured oversized keystone symbolism, Greek-inspired pedestals, and vertical qualities in the facade.
Zyberk: Envisions an infrastructure focused on walkability connected to public amenities.
Parc de la Villette: An innovative space with three ordering systems for paths, decorative elements, and fields.
Jewish Museum: A significant architectural synthesis connecting historical and contemporary narratives about Jewish life.
Symbolic Slats: Representing the memory of lost lives, utilizes dramatic lighting for atmosphere.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Features two walls inscribed with names pointing toward significant landmarks for context.
The Rural Studio: Focused on community engagement and sustainable architectural practices.
F. Brunelleschi, Dome (Duomo), Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, begun 1419
F. Brunelleschi, San Lorenzo, Florence, begun 1419
Michelozzo, Medici-Ricardi Palace, Florence, begun 1445
L.B. Alberti, Sant’ Andrea, Mantua, 1472
D. Bramante, Tempietto, Rome, begun 1502
D. Bramante, Plan for St. Peter's, Rome, 1506
Michelangelo, Plan, Dome, and Apse end (exterior), St. Peter's, Rome, begun 1546
Michelangelo, Vestibule (Ricetto), Laurentian Library, Florence, begun 1524
A. Palladio, Façade, Il Redentore, Venice, 1570-90
A. Palladio, Villa Rotunda, near Vicenza, 1566-71
Nomadic/portable/impermanent architecture: North African (Bedouin) Tents, North American Plains Indian Tipis, Alaskan/Canadian (Inuit) Iglus
Batammaliba Houses, Benin and Togo
Great Mosque, Djenné, Mali, originally built mid-14th c., rebuilt 1906-07
St. George’s Church, Lalibela, Ethiopia, 13th c.
City plan, Templo and Plaza Mayor, Tenochtitlán, Mexico, 14th-16th c.
Acoma Pueblo, NM, established ca. 1100
San Estévan, Acoma Pueblo, NM, 1629-64
G.L. Bernini, Cornaro Chapel (Ecstasy of St. Theresa), S. M. della Vittoria, Rome, 1647-51
G.L. Bernini, C. Rainaldi, and C. Fontana, Piazza del Popolo, Rome, 1660s
G.L. Bernini, works at and around St. Peter's, Rome: Piazza and Colonnade, 1656, Baldacchino, 1624-33, Cathedra Petri, 1656-66
C. Maderno, Façade and Nave, St. Peter's, Rome, 1606-12
F. Borromini, San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, Rome, begun 1638-67
L. le Vau, C. Le Brun, A. le Notre et al., Palace (Chateau), Gardens and Grounds, Versailles, begun 1661
G. Boffrand, Salon de la Princesse, Hôtel de Soubise, Paris, 1730s
B. Neumann, Church of Vierzenheiligen (14 Saints), near Bamberg, Bavaria, 1740s
Topkapi Saray (Palace), Istanbul, begun 1459
Sinan, Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul, 1548-59
Maidan, Isfahan, begun 1590
Masjid-i-Shah (Shah’s Mosque), Isfahan, 1611-38
Fatehpur Sikri, Palace complex and Buland Darwaza (gate), India, begun 1570s
Taj Mahal, Agra, 1631-47
Forbidden City, Beijing, begun 1407
Taihe Dian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), Forbidden City, Beijing, 1669/1765
Himeji Castle, Japan, 1601-13
Ninomaru Palace (within Nijo Castle compound), Kyoto, ca. 1620
Katsura Imperial Villa (including Gardens), Kyoto, begun 1615
Dry garden, Ryoanji Zen Temple, Kyoto, 16th century
Dome (Duomo), Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Architect: F. Brunelleschi
Begun: 1419
Notable for its innovative dome design that remains a hallmark of Renaissance architecture.
San Lorenzo, Florence
Architect: F. Brunelleschi
Begun: 1419
Recognized for its streamlined classicism and harmonious proportions.
Medici-Ricardi Palace, Florence
Architect: Michelozzo
Begun: 1445
A significant example of early Renaissance palaces exhibiting a sumptuous yet restrained style.
Sant’ Andrea, Mantua
Architect: L.B. Alberti
Completed: 1472
Known for its grand façade and innovative use of classical principles in church architecture.
Tempietto, Rome
Architect: D. Bramante
Begun: 1502
A small commemorative temple celebrated as an early example of Renaissance architecture.
Plan for St. Peter's, Rome
Architect: D. Bramante
Begun: 1506
Conceptualized as one of the largest and most influential churches in the Christian world.
Dome and Apse end (exterior), St. Peter's, Rome
Architect: Michelangelo
Begun: 1546
Highly regarded for its monumental scale and design that redefined Renaissance sacred architecture.
Vestibule (Ricetto), Laurentian Library, Florence
Architect: Michelangelo
Begun: 1524
Noted for its intricate details and the grand spatial experience it provides.
Façade, Il Redentore, Venice
Architect: A. Palladio
Completed: 1570-90
Exemplifies Palladio's interpretation of classical architecture within a religious context.
Villa Rotunda, near Vicenza
Architect: A. Palladio
Completed: 1566-71
Celebrated for its symmetry and harmonious proportions influencing villa architecture.
Great Mosque, Djenné, Mali
Originally built in the mid-14th century; rebuilt 1906-07
Notable for its unique adobe architecture and cultural significance in Mali.
St. George’s Church, Lalibela, Ethiopia
Built in the 13th century
Famous for being carved from solid rock, reflecting extraordinary craftsmanship.
Acoma Pueblo, NM
Established around 1100
Represents the unique architectural style of Native American inhabitants, built on a mesa.
San Estévan, Acoma Pueblo, NM
Completed 1629-64
Known for its adobe construction and cultural significance to the Acoma people.
Cornaro Chapel (Ecstasy of St. Theresa)
Architect: G.L. Bernini
Completed: 1647-51
A striking example of Baroque emotional use of space and light.
St. Peter's, Rome (Piazza and Colonnade)
Architect: G.L. Bernini
Completed: 1656
Features grand colonnades that embrace visitors, symbolizing the church's welcoming nature.
San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane
Architect: F. Borromini
Begun: 1638-67
Recognized for its complex geometrical shapes and dramatic interior.
Palace of Versailles, France
Architects: L. le Vau, C. Le Brun, A. le Notre
Begun: 1661
An architectural testament to royal extravagance and the power of Louis XIV.
Church of Vierzenheiligen (14 Saints)
Architect: B. Neumann
Near Bamberg, Bavaria; built in the 1740s
Noted for its dramatic layout and expressive Baroque style.
Topkapi Saray (Palace)
Established: 1459
Signifies the heart of the Ottoman Empire, mixing Islamic and Byzantine influences in design.
Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Architect: Sinan
Completed: 1559
Renowned for its size and grandeur, embodying Ottoman architecture's zenith.
Taj Mahal, Agra
Built: 1631-47
A breathtaking example of Mughal architecture, renowned for its beauty and symmetry.
Forbidden City, Beijing
Begun: 1407
Served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors, showcasing traditional Chinese palatial architecture.
Himeji Castle, Japan
Built: 1601-13
Often considered Japan's most beautiful castle, exemplifying defensive architecture skillfully blended with aesthetic appeal.