# Architectural Glossary A–F A comprehensive glossary of architectural, structural, and building technology terms from A to F for the practicing architect and building engineer. --- ## A | Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | **Abacus** | Flat slab forming the top of a column [[Greek Architecture]] capital | | **Abutment** | Structure supporting the lateral thrust of an arch or vault | | **Accessible route** | Continuous path complying with [[ADA Standards for Accessible Design]] | | **Acoustics** | Science of sound behaviour in buildings. See [[Architectural Acoustics Fundamentals]] | | **Active facade** | Facade incorporating dynamic elements (ventilation, shading, energy generation) | | **Adaptive reuse** | Conversion of existing building to new function. See [[Adaptive Reuse Strategies]] | | **Adobe** | Sun-dried earth brick; traditional construction material | | **Aggregate** | Granular material (sand, gravel, crushed stone) used in concrete | | **Air barrier** | Continuous membrane preventing uncontrolled air movement through building envelope | | **Air handling unit (AHU)** | Equipment that conditions and circulates air. See [[HVAC Fundamentals]] | | **Alcove** | Recessed area within a room or wall | | **Arcade** | Series of arches supported by columns, forming a covered passage | | **Arch** | Curved structural element spanning an opening, transferring loads to supports | | **Architrave** | Lowest division of an entablature, resting directly on column capitals; also door/window frame moulding | | **Ashlar** | Precisely cut and squared stone masonry with thin joints | | **Atrium** | Central open space within a building, often multi-storey with roof glazing | --- ## B | Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | **Balustrade** | Row of small columns (balusters) supporting a handrail | | **Barrel vault** | Semi-cylindrical vault spanning between parallel walls | | **Batt insulation** | Pre-cut panels of mineral wool or glass fibre insulation | | **Bay** | Regular structural division of a building defined by columns or walls | | **Bearing wall** | Wall that carries structural loads from above in addition to its own weight | | **Bentonite** | Clay material used in below-grade waterproofing. See [[Below Grade Waterproofing Details]] | | **BIM** | Building Information Modelling. See [[BIM Fundamentals and LOD]] | | **Biophilic design** | Design approach connecting occupants with nature. See [[Biophilic Design]] | | **Bolster** | Short horizontal timber distributing load from a beam to a post | | **Bond (masonry)** | Pattern of brick or stone laying (stretcher, Flemish, English, stack) | | **Bracing** | Diagonal structural members resisting lateral forces | | **Breeam** | Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. See [[BREEAM Rating System]] | | **Brise-soleil** | External sun-shading device, typically horizontal or vertical fins. See [[Solar Shading Design]] | | **Brutalism** | Architectural movement emphasising raw concrete and monumental form. See [[architecture/History and Theory/World History/brutalism]] | | **Buildability** | Degree to which a design facilitates ease of construction | | **Bulkhead** | Lowered ceiling section concealing services or structure | | **Buttress** | Projecting masonry mass counteracting the lateral thrust of an arch or vault | --- ## C | Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | **Cantilever** | Structural element fixed at one end and projecting beyond its support | | **Capital** | Decorative top of a column, distributing load to the shaft | | **Cavity wall** | Wall of two leaves separated by a gap (cavity). See [[Wall Assembly Design]] | | **Cladding** | External covering applied to a building for weather protection and appearance | | **Clerestory** | Row of windows above adjacent roofline, admitting light to interior | | **Coffered ceiling** | Ceiling with recessed panels (coffers), reducing weight and adding visual richness | | **Colonnade** | Row of columns supporting an entablature or arches | | **Column** | Vertical structural member carrying compressive loads | | **Conservation** | Preservation and management of heritage buildings. See [[Heritage Conservation Principles]] | | **Coping** | Protective cap on top of a wall, designed to shed water | | **Corbel** | Projecting bracket of stone, brick, or timber supporting a load above | | **Cornice** | Projecting horizontal moulding at top of wall or entablature | | **Corten steel** | Weathering steel forming protective rust patina | | **Curtain wall** | Non-loadbearing external wall system, typically glazed. See [[Wall Assembly Design]] | | **Cupola** | Small dome crowning a roof or turret | --- ## D | Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | **Dado** | Lower portion of a wall when decorated differently from upper section | | **Damp proof course (DPC)** | Horizontal barrier preventing rising damp in masonry walls | | **Damp proof membrane (DPM)** | Sheet or liquid membrane preventing ground moisture rising through floors | | **Daylight factor** | Ratio of interior to exterior illuminance. See [[Daylighting Fundamentals]] | | **Dead load** | Permanent static load from the weight of structure and fixed elements | | **Deflection** | Displacement of a structural member under load | | **Diaphragm** | Horizontal structural element (floor/roof) transferring lateral forces to vertical elements | | **Dormer** | Vertical window projecting from a sloping roof | | **Double glazing** | Insulated glass unit with two panes separated by sealed cavity. See [[architecture/Building Construction/Construction & Materials/Building Material/Glass and Glazing/Glass Types and Properties]] | | **Dowel** | Cylindrical pin connecting two elements (timber or concrete) | | **Dressed stone** | Stone cut and finished to a smooth or specified surface | | **Dry lining** | Internal wall finish using plasterboard fixed to frame (not wet plaster) | | **Ductwork** | System of ducts for distributing conditioned air. See [[Central Air Conditioning Systems]] | --- ## E | Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | **Eave** | Lower edge of a roof projecting beyond the wall face | | **Efflorescence** | White salt deposits on masonry surface caused by moisture migration | | **Embodied carbon** | Total CO₂ emissions from material extraction, manufacture, transport, and construction. See [[Operational vs Embodied Carbon]] | | **Entablature** | Horizontal superstructure above columns: architrave, frieze, and cornice | | **Envelope** | Total outer skin of a building. See [[Building Envelope Fundamentals]] | | **Expansion joint** | Joint allowing thermal and moisture movement. See [[Movement Joint Design]] | | **Extrusion** | Section formed by pushing material through a die (aluminium profiles, rubber seals) | --- ## F | Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | **Facade** | External face of a building, especially the principal front | | **Fanlight** | Semicircular or arched window above a door | | **Fascia** | Flat board covering rafter ends at the eave; also building signage band | | **Fenestration** | Arrangement and design of windows and openings in a building | | **Fibre cement** | Composite board of cement reinforced with cellulose or synthetic fibres | | **Finial** | Decorative element at the apex of a gable, spire, or canopy | | **Fire rating** | Duration a building element resists fire (integrity, insulation, loadbearing). See [[Fire Safety Building Regulations]] | | **Flashing** | Sheet material preventing water ingress at junctions (roof/wall, window/wall) | | **Flat roof** | Roof with slope less than 10° (typically 1:40 to 1:80 fall for drainage) | | **Flitch beam** | Composite beam of timber and steel plate bolted together | | **Floor Area Ratio (FAR)** | Gross floor area divided by site area. See [[Urban Morphology]] | | **Flue** | Duct for exhaust gases from combustion appliances | | **Flying buttress** | External arched structure transmitting thrust from a vault to an outer pier. See [[Gothic Architecture]] | | **Formwork** | Temporary mould into which concrete is poured | | **Foundation** | Substructure transferring building loads to the ground. See [[Shallow Foundation Design]] | | **Frieze** | Middle division of an entablature between architrave and cornice; also decorative band | --- ## See Also - [[Architectural Glossary G-M]] - [[Architectural Glossary N-S]] - [[Architectural Glossary T-Z]] - [[Structural Engineering Glossary]] - [[Building Services Glossary]] --- #glossary #terminology #reference #architecture