My name is Blanche, and I am in my third and final year of the Architectural Technology program at my school. I created this glossary to help students like me who wants to be more fluid in English in their domain. The topic of this glossary is architectural literacy. This glossary can help a student to communicate its intention in this field with a future international client or colleague, so they can understand their intention better. Here are 20 terms related to architecture, with pronunciations' models, definitions, translations to French, example sentence, and images. I used my French vocabulary I have learned while studying the architectural field to help me find these terms. Also, I used Google to find definitions, translations, and examples. For the images, I used Wikimedia Commons. As you read this glossary, learn these terms and their definitions so that you can discuss architectural internationally.
circulation
noun
Circulation means the continuous movement of something in a closed path, or the passing of items, money, or information from one person or place to another.
Example: The architect carefully designed the museum's circulation to ensure visitors flow smoothly from the main entrance through the grand galleries and out to the sculpture garden.
en: circulation
column
noun
A column is a vertical arrangement, structure, or line of items that runs from top to bottom.
Example: A grand marble column stood at the entrance of the ancient temple, supporting the heavy roof above.
en: colonne
concept
noun
A concept is an abstract idea, a foundational principle, or a mental image that represents the essential features of a class of objects, events, or situations.
Example: The architect based the entire design concept of the museum on the organic, interlocking shape of a nautilus shell.
en: concept
construction site
noun
A construction site is a designated piece of land where building, infrastructure, or engineering work is actively taking place.
Example: The architect visited the construction site to ensure the foundation aligned with the structural blueprints.
en: chantier de construction
cornice
noun
A cornice is a horizontal decorative or protective molding that crowns a building, wall, window, or piece of furniture.
Example: The capitals and the cornice of the monumental portico constructed on the southern slope of the Acropolis by Eumenes II were made from Pergamene marble suggesting that these were carved in Pergamon and shipped to Athens.
en: corniche
elevation
noun
A scaled, two-dimensional drawing showing the vertical face or exterior wall of a building (such as the front elevation).
Example: The architect presented the detailed front elevation of the new house to the client.
en: élévation
floor plan
noun
A floor plan is a scaled, top-down diagram that shows the layout of a room or building from above.
Example: The floor plan indicated that the kitchen was next to the dining room.
en: plan d'étage
footing
noun
The widened concrete or masonry base of a foundation wall or column that spreads a building's weight safely into the ground.
Example: The structural engineer inspected the concrete footing before the construction crew poured the foundation walls for the new home.
en: semelle de fondation
insulation
noun
Insulation means the material or process used to stop heat, sound, or electricity from passing through something.
Example: The building should meet thermal comfort levels for the accommodation, but at the same time I shall look at areas in which energy can be conserved, such as effective insulation and ventilation.
en: isolation
legend
noun
A legend typically refers to the legend or key embedded within an architectural, engineering, or site plan, though it can also refer to a structured goal-setting system like the popular Legend Planner.
Example: The architect included a detailed legend at the bottom of the blueprint to explain what each symbol and hatch pattern represented.
en: légende
masonry
noun
Masonry is the craft of building structures using individual units—such as bricks, stones, or concrete blocks—typically bound together with mortar.
Example: The old castle walls were built with strong stone masonry that lasted for centuries.
en: maçonnerie
parapet
noun
A parapet is a low protective wall or railing along the edge of a roof, bridge, balcony, or terrace
Example: The architect designed a sleek concrete parapet along the edge of the flat roof to hide the air conditioning units.
en: parapet
partition
noun
Partition is a division of something into smaller parts, or a physical wall or structure that separates one space from another.
Example: Also, the disposition of PARTITION walls, doors and windows should be defined from the outset.
en: cloison
permeability
noun
Permeability is the ability of a material or membrane to allow liquids, gases, or other substances to pass through it.
Example: The architect designed the ground-floor courtyard with a perforated brick screen to enhance permeability, allowing cool breezes and filtered sunlight to flow naturally into the interior.
en: perméabilité
proportion
noun
A proportion is a part of a whole, or the relationship between two things in size, amount, or number.
Example: The proportion of the tall windows to the wide stone facade gave the building a balanced and harmonious look.
en: proportion
scale
noun
The proportional relationship between a representation (like a map or blueprint) and the real-world object.
Example: The architect used an Architect's Scale to draft the floor plans at a ratio of one-quarter inch to one foot.
en: échelle
urbanism
noun
Urbanism is the study of how people in cities and towns interact with their built and social environments.
Example: The new downtown development project integrates sustainable urbanism by combining pedestrian-friendly pathways, mixed-use buildings, and green public spaces.
en: urbanisme
ventilation
noun
Ventilation means the process of supplying fresh air to an enclosed space or moving air in and out of the lungs.
Example: The building should meet thermal comfort levels for the accommodation, but at the same time I shall look at areas in which energy can be conserved, such as effective insulation and ventilation.
en: ventilation
vestibule
noun
A vestibule is a small, enclosed room or transitional space located just inside the outer door of a building before reaching the main interior.
Example: Guests shook the snow off their coats and left their boots in the vestibule before stepping into the warm living room.
en: vestibule
zoning
noun
Zoning is the system of local laws and rules that a city or town uses to divide land into sections and control how each section is used and developed.
Example: In interior architecture and floor plan design, zoning successfully separates the noisy social areas from the quiet private quarters of the house.
