Hello everybody, my name is Jack Ankasouri and I have been studying in architectural technology for 2 years. To clear things out, an architect is the professional who is responsible for conceptualizing and designing a building that respects the norms of security and comfort standards. In addition, the architect is responsible for planning the construction with the owner of the building and the other professionals (electricians, plumbers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, etc.) working on the same project.
To be honest, architecture is a complex field because every building or structure is different, and from the beginning my teachers assured us that everything we learn at school is just an introduction and doesn't fully prepare us for the work environment (and I haven't experienced it yet). As a result, this glossary is an academic introduction, a list of the most used terms in architecture.
The glossary is composed of 20 terms, including materials that are used as exterior and interior finishes, the various types of drawings to represent a building on a 2D plain (paper) and some old and new methods that are going to be more and more implanted into our environmentally green buildings. Every term in the glossary is defined, translated, pronounced and picture referenced to make their understanding easier. I found some of the words for the glossary in old projects I drew last year and some others in my notes from my History class, and the definitions are taken from online dictionaries (Cambridge English Dictionary, Collins Dictionary and Dictionary.com).
You can now read the available glossary. If you enjoy it, learn something new and would like to learn more about the field of Architecture, please consider subscribing.
Arch
Noun
A curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
Example: Within the display rooms the semicircular arch is repeated above every door utilising stone and colonnades in reference to the renaissance architecture and art within.
en: Arche
Beam
Noun
A long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal spanning an opening or part of a building, usually to support the roof or floor above.
Example: The deflection of beams depends on the loading, the dimensions and material of the beam and the method of support.
en: Poutre ou poutrelle
Capital
Noun
The element that forms the topmost member of a column.
Example: The romans and the greeks used different patterns and forms for their capitals so they can be distinguished.
en: Chapiteau
Column
Noun
An upright pillar, typically cylindrical and made of stone or concrete, supporting an entablature, arch, or other structure or standing alone as a monument.
Example: The Parthenon had a total of 69 columns. There were 46 outer columns and 23 inner columns.
en: Colonne
Curtain wall
Noun
A wall that encloses the space within a building but does not support the roof, typically on a modern high-rise.
Example: The whole front facade of the building is a glass curtain wall.
en: Mur-rideau
Dome
Noun
A rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base.
Example: It has curved corners, a dome like section for the bread pan and a viewing window.
en: Dôme
Dry wall
Noun
A type of board made from plaster, wood pulp, or other material, used especially to form the interior walls of houses.
Example: One of the last steps of renovating the house is painting the dry walls.
en: Cloisson sec ou panneau de gypse
Elevation (drawing)
Noun
An Elevation is a drawing of a vertical plane looking straight on to a building facade or interior surface.
Example: It's very easy to locate the direction of the door, you just have to check it on the elevation drawing.
en: Dessin d'élévation
Facade
Noun
The face of a building, especially the principal front that looks onto a street or open space
Example: Residential block, garden facade The college buildings are constructed primarily from glass and concrete.
en: Façade
Fenestration
The arrangement of windows and doors on the elevations of a building.
Example: Fenestration details are shown on the southwest and northwest elevation drawings.
en: Fenestration
Fireplace
Noun
A place for a domestic fire, especially a grate or hearth at the base of a chimney
Example: The whole family gathered around the fireplace on Christmas eve.
en: Foyer
Infrastructure
Noun
The foundation under the structure, found underground, of a building.
Example: The infrastructure supports the structure of the building.
en: Infrastructure
Masonry
Work constructed by a mason, especially stonework.
Example: Wall systems columns and walls, glass construction and masonry walls pre-cast concrete wall panels, concrete framework, concrete columns Connections Pre-cast concrete connections used between the elements.
en: Maçonnerie
Mezzanine
Noun
A low story between two others in a building, typically between the ground and first floors.
Example: The communal area also has a high level mezzanine open space with public artworks.
en: Mezzanine
Passive solar heating
phrase
Using the sun's energy to heat a building; the windows, walls, and floors can be designed to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter
Example: The usage of passive solar heating in the winter reduces the cost of the power bill.
en: Chauffage solaire passif
Perspective
Noun
The art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.
Example: For this no external stimulus is required, and as compared with the after-image it represents the objects in perspective just as they might be seen in perception.
en: Dessin en perspective
Plan (drawing)
Noun
A drawing or diagram made by projection on a horizontal plane, especially one showing the layout of a building or one floor of a building.
Example: You can look at the plans to locate the nearest fire exit.
en: Dessin de plan
Rainscreen
Noun
A gap behind the exterior finish of the wall that prevents the accumulation of water and prevent leaks.
Example: To keep the walls dry we use a rainscreen.
en: Écran pare-pluie
Section (drawing)
Noun
A view of a structure as though it had been sliced in half or cut along another imaginary plane
Example: Refer to the section drawing to understand the structure of the building.
en: Dessin en coupe
Structure
Noun
Structure is a constructed building or a specific arrangement of things or people, especially things that have multiple parts.
Example: The Buen, as everyone referred to it, was located in a hundred year old structure previously known as the Scott-Humphries Building, which had remained vacant for over twenty-five years.
