This document defines various architectural terms used in building construction. It provides definitions for elements of roofs like pitch, dormer, and bargeboard. It also defines structural elements like gables, windows, doors, and facades. Interior elements such as attics, basements, stairs, and false ceilings are also defined. Materials used in construction are mentioned, including terracotta, cladding and masonry types. The document serves as a glossary of common architectural terminology.

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ARCHITECTURAL TERMS

2. PITCH
The slope of a roof

3. DORMER
Dormer is an architectural element which projects from a
sloping roof. It usually contain a vertical window or
ventilator.

4. BARGEBOARD
A sloping board fixed to the verge or edge of a gable roof to
conceal the roof construction. It may be plain or decorated.

5. GABLE
The triangular portion of the wall, between the enclosing
lines of a sloping roof.

6. BULL’S EYE WINDOW
A Round window, surrounded by a decorative molding
often found in gables or pediments

7. EAVES
The projecting edge of a roof that overhangs an exterior
wall to protect it from the rain

8. FACADE
The face or elevation of a building, usually referring to the front

9. WINDOW
An opening in the outside wall for getting natural light and
ventilation to an internal space.

10. DOUBLE DOOR
Two adjacent doors that share the same door frame, and
between which there is no separating vertical member

11. LINTEL
The flat horizontal piece at the top of a window or door

12. SILL
The flat horizontal bottom piece of a window

13. JAMB
The side of a door or window opening

14. ARCHITRAVE
The moulded trim around a doorway or window

15. MULLION
The wooden divisions between panes of glass on windows

16. GRILL
A decorative grating used to protect a window, door or other opening.

17. CHAJJA
It is a sloping or horizontal structural overhang usually
provided over openings on the external walls to provide
protection from sun and rain.

18. BAY WINDOW
A projecting bay that is lit on all of its projecting sides by windows

19. PARAPET
A low stone or brick wall or railing built along the edge of a
roof or a floor
PARAPET

20. COPING
The capping at the top of a wall for protection from weather
elements

21. BALCONY
A platform that projects from the wall of a building and which is
enclosed on its outer three sides by a railing or parapet.

22. TERRACE
An outdoor extension of a building, situated above the
ground level, and open to the sky

23. ATTIC
An attic is a space found directly below the pitched roof of
a house or other building

24. COURTYARD
A space opens to the sky and enclosed fully or partly by a building

25. PORCH
A covered shelter on the outside of a building for
keeping vehicle etc

26. BASEMENT
A lower storey of a building below or partly below the ground level

27. TERRACOTTA
Hard fired clay often used for ornamental facade elements.

28. PERGOLA
A path lined with evenly spaced columns or posts that
support a wooden-framed roof without sheathing

29. GAZEBO
A freestanding pavilion structure often found in parks,
gardens and public areas

30. CORNICE
A crowning projection at a roof line

31. BRACKET
A support, often angled, curved or decorated for a
projecting horizontal feature.

32. ASHLAR MASONRY
An accurately cut and squared stone blocks

33. RUBBLE MASONRY
Rough, uneven building stones set in mortar, but not laid in
regular courses

34. BUTTRESS
A support projecting from a wall to stiffen it and counteract
any movement

35. CANTILEVER
A cantilever is a rigid structural element that extends
horizontally and is supported at only one end

36. ROUND ARCH
A semicircular arch over a window, door or opening

37. VOUSSOIR
It is the term for the blocks or units that make up an arch

38. KEYSTONE
The central block of an arch

39. POINTED ARCH
An arch with a strong center point

40. FLAT ARCH
An arch that is flat in profile

41. HORSE SHOE ARCH
A Rounded arch consisting of more than half a circle, so that the widest
part of the arch is larger than the opening at the bottom of the arch.

42. SEGMENTAL ARCH
An arch where the head is less than a semi circle, but is
only a segment of a circle.

43. VAULT
A structure composed of an arrangement of arches that
form covering over a span

44. DOME
A roof structure generally shaped like a segment of a sphere.

45. COLUMN
A vertical support generally consisting of the base, shaft
and a capital

46. TYPICAL RCC FRAME BUILDING
BEAM - A horizontal structural member that spans an opening.
Beams are used to support the weight of floors, ceilings and to
transfer the load to vertical load bearing element
COLUMN - A vertical structural member that transmits the weight
of the structure above to other structural elements below
FOUNDATION - It is the lower portion of building structure that
transfers its gravity loads to the earth
SLAB - A slab is a structural element, that is used to create
flat horizontal surfaces such as floors and ceilings

47. TYPICAL RCC FRAME BUILDING

48. DADO
When the lower portion of the walls is decorated separately

49. BOLLARD
A short freestanding column designed to limit vehicle traffic or
act as security

50. RISER AND TREAD
Riser is the vertical surface of the stair.
Tread is the horizontal surface of the stair and the part of the stair
you step on

51. SPIRAL STAIR
A stairway with approximately wedge- shaped treads, circular in plan.

52. DOG LEGGED STAIRS
A flight of stairs ascends to a half-landing before turning at a right
angle and continuing upwards.

53. FALSE CEILINGS
These are secondary ceilings that are hung below the main ceiling
with the help of suspension cords or struts, crafted from materials
such as POP (plaster of Paris), gypsum board, asbestos sheets,
particle board, aluminum panel, wood etc.

54. CLADDING
The exterior covering of a building which can be on metal
work or directly on wall.

55. CUL-DE-SAC
A lane, one end of which terminates, providing number of
access to the buildings/ houses

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