Architecture Vocabulary - Architect Lingo | Words Every Home Owner Should Know

04.12.20 09:44 AM By Pooja

Here's the list of 23 must know Architecture words with their definitions:


1. AestheticA branch of philosophy concerning studies on the nature and expression of beauty or taste. The aesthetics of a building is one of the principal aspects considered in architecture.


2. CantileverA long projecting beam or girder fixed at only one end, used in bridge construction.


3. CirculationGenerally, refers to the movement to and fro or around something. Also, the way people move through and interact with a building.


4. Cladding: A covering or coating on a structure or material.


5. ConceptAn idea, thought or notion that forms the backbone and foundation of a design project and one that drives it forward. It becomes the force and identity behind a projects progress and is consistently consulted throughout every stage of its development.


6. ContrastA difference between two or more elements in a composition.


7. Curtain WallA wall which encloses the space within a building but does not support the roof.


8. EclecticA 19th & 20th century architectural style in which a single piece of work incorporates a mixture of elements from previous historical styles to create something that is new and original.


9. ElevationA view of a building seen from one side, a flat representation of one façade. This is the most common view used to describe the external appearance of a building.


10. FacadeThe word facade originally comes from the Italian word “facciata”, and is defined as the outside or all of the external faces of a building.


11. FenestrationThe openings in a building's facade, most notably the doors and windows. Basically, they are anything that allows for passage from outside to inside.


12. Floor PlanA drawing to scale, showing a view from above, of the relationships between rooms, spaces, traffic patterns, and other physical features at one level of a structure. Generally, accompanied with room sizes and other specifications.


13. Form & FunctionForm refers to the shape or configuration of a building. Function refers to the purpose of a building or structure. It can also relate to the proper operation, process or performance of something and how it works.


14. InspirationFormation of a sudden brilliant or timely idea looking at our surroundings.


15. MassingA term in architecture which refers to the perception of the general shape and form as well as size of a building.


16. MotifA repeated figure or design in architecture or decoration.


17. Scale & ProportionProportion refers to the proper and harmonious relation of one part to another or to the whole, while scale refers to the size of something compared to a reference standard or to the size of something else (like a human being).


18. SectionA section is drawn from a vertical plane slicing through a building. This is as if you cut through a space vertically and stood directly in front looking straight at it.


19. Spatial OrganizationThe interaction between form and space. The arranged manner of organization helps in giving an array to the separate units or elements that are a part of the design.


20. SustainableArchitecture that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, development space and the ecosystem at large.


21. SymmetryThe quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis.


22. TypologyThe study and documentation of a set of buildings which have similarities in their type of function or form.


23. Visual Access'Access' refers to the means or ability to approach and/or enter a place, site, etc. It can be physical or visual in nature.


Hope this will help all you new home owners, archietcture & design students communicate better on site and boost you're confidence while talking to the experts of this industry