Architecture Vocabulary

• Arcade-  A row of arches or columns that create a covered walkway.

• Beam- A horizontal piece of structure supported at both ends.

• Balcony- A small porch that sticks off a building above ground level.

• Bay window- A window that projects out from a building ( if it is only on an upper floor, it’s called an ORIEL WINDOW ).

• Bracket- A piece of wood or stone used to hold up another building part, such as a cornice, balcony, lintel or sill.

• Cantilever- A piece of building structure  that is only supported on one end.

• Column- A vertical piece of structure that supports a beam.

• Cornice- The molding that projects out from the top of  a building.

• Dome- A rounded roof, with a circular base, shaped like an arch in all directions.

• Dormer- A window that sticks out from a roof to provide more light and air.

• Facade- The outside “ face” of the building.

• Gable- The end of a roof shaped like a triangle.

• Gazebo- An outdoor, open-air structure used for relaxing.

• Keystone- The center stone in an arch.

• Lintel- The piece of structure over a door or window opening, which supports the weight of the wall above it.

• Ornament- Any decoration on a building that has no structual purpose.

• Pediment- A small gable over door or window.

• Quolns- Large stones that wrap around the corner of a building.

• Roof- The top of a building which protects the inside from the weather.

• Sill- The piece of the structure under a window or door opening.

• Skylight- A window in the roof.

• Stoop- A short set of steps up the front door of a building

• Structure- The parts of the building that supports weight; a building’s skeleton.

•   Window- An opening in a wall that lets in light and air.