User:Poudretteite/Glossary of Architecture

A
Araeostyle: A style of intercolumniation in which the distance between columns is at least four diameters. The large interval between columns necessitates the use of a wooden architrave.

Arris: A sharp edge created when two surfaces converge; this includes the raised edge between two flutes on a column or pilaster, if that edge is sharp.

Arris Rail: A type of rail, often wooden, with a cross-section resembling an isosceles triangle.

B
Broken pediment: A style of pediment in which the center is left open (and often ornamented) by stopping the sloping sides short of the pediment's apex. A variant of this in which the sides are curved to resemble esses is called a swan's neck pediment.

C
Cavetto: A moulding in which the negative space makes a quarter-circle.

Chamfer: A transitional edge, often 45 degrees, formed by paring down an arris diagonally. Some buildings may be chamfered such that the base is octagonal.

Chigi: In Japanese architecture, a V-shaped finial used almost exclusively on Shinto shrines, where they are placed near the ends of the ridgeline(s) of the roof through extension of or attachment to the gable. In most cases, the direction of the cut at the top of a chigi indicates the sex of the kami within.

Corbiesteps: A series of steps along the slopes of a gable. Also called crow-steps. A gable featuring corbiesteps is known as a corbie gable, crow-step gable, or stepped gable.

Cyma: A projecting moulding whose edge forms an S-curve. The two major types of cyma are the cyma recta, in which the upper curve is concave, and the cyma reversa (also known as the ogee), in which the lower curve is concave.

E
Egg-and-dart: An ornamental moulding in which an ovolo is inscribed with alternating oval and V-shaped motifs.

Enfilade: A row of rooms with aligned doorways, creating a linear processional route. Enfilades were common in upper-class Baroque architecture and are used in museum layouts to manage flow.

Engaged column: A column built into and partially projecting from a wall, particularly notable in Roman architecture.

Estípite: In Churrigueresque Baroque architecture, an elaborate pilaster with a tapered base.

Engawa: In Japanese architecture, a section of floor outside the shoji that encircles the structure’s rooms, similar to a porch or, when itself enclosed by storm doors or sheet glass, a sunroom.

F
Fan vault: A conoid architectural element in which a series of equidistant curved ribs projects radially from a central axis, often a vertical wall support such as a column. Fan vaults are particularly connected with the English Gothic style.

Fascia: A board attached to the lower ends of rafters at the eaves. Along with the soffit, the fascia helps enclose the eave. In some Classical orders, one of a series of bands (either fillets or faces) sometimes seen around the architrave.

Fillet: A small band, either raised or sunken and usually square, used to separate mouldings. The raised edge between two flutes on a column or pilaster, if that edge is flat.

Finial: An element marking the top or end of some object — such as a dome, tower, or gable — often formed to be a decorative feature. Small finials may also be used as ornamentation for furniture, poles, and light fixtures.

Fractable: A coping, often ornamental, on a gable that hides the slope of the roof and becomes a parapet.

Fusuma: An opaque partition consisting of a cloth or paper sheet over a wood framework, commonly seen in traditional Japanese architecture. Fusuma are built to be moved (usually by sliding them along tracks) or removed, allowing rooms to be reorganized and reshaped as desired and, in earlier constructions, allowing the interior of a structure to open directly to the outdoors. Some fusuma are painted, though many now feature printed graphics. Shoji are similar to fusuma but are generally translucent.

G
Gutta: In a Doric entablature, one of a number of small, projecting, drop-like ornaments under the triglyphs between the taenia and the architrave as well as under the mutules.

I
Intercolumniation: The interval separating one column from another in a colonnade. Intercolumniation regularly occurs in six forms: pycnostyle, systyle, eustyle, diastyle, araeostyle, and araeosystyle.

K
Kamoi: In Japanese architecture, the upper rail, made from wood, to which shoji or fusuma are attached.

Katsuogi: In Japanese architecture, a log used as ornamentation atop the roof. Katsuogi are normally round and are placed in parallel lines perpendicular to the ridge. They are currently only used on Shinto shrines, placed behind chigi and sometimes helping to convey, by their parity, the sex of the kami within.

L
Lesene: A type of pilaster that lacks a base or capital.

M
Meander: A decorative border consisting of a repeated linear motif, particularly of intersecting perpendicular lines. Also known as a fret or a key pattern.

Metope: In a Doric entablature, the space between triglyphs along the frieze. These may be ornamented or plain, and may be square or rectangular.

O
Ovolo: A moulding whose edge forms a convex quarter-circle or quarter-ellipse.

P
Parterre: A garden design made from patterns of mostly low elements such as plant beds and small hedges interwoven with gravel or grass paths, historically meant to be open spaces. Modern parterres are often denser and taller.

Pilaster: A flat, slightly projecting element that resembles a pillar or pier and is engaged in the face of a wall. Pilasters usually do not serve a structural purpose.

Q
Quirk: A small recess, often V-shaped, at the edge of a moulding.

S
Shiki-i: In Japanese architecture, the lower rail, made from wood, to which shoji or fusuma are attached.

Shoji: A translucent partition consisting of a paper sheet over a wood framework, commonly seen in traditional Japanese architecture. Shoji are built to be moved (usually by sliding them along tracks) or removed, allowing rooms to be reorganized and reshaped as desired and, in earlier constructions, allowing the interior of a structure to open directly to the outdoors. Because of their translucence, shoji are notable for diffusing light, air, and sound. Fusuma are similar to shoji but are generally opaque.

Soffit: Any architectural element’s underside, especially the board connecting the walls of a structure to the fascia or the end of the roof, enclosing the eave.

Splay: A slant created by cutting a wall around an opening such that the inside of the opening is wider or narrower than the outside.

T
Taenia: In a Doric entablature, a raised fillet separating the architrave from the frieze.

Triglyph: In a Doric entablature, an ornament along the frieze consisting of three vertical recesses.