Glossary of Architectural Terms
Below are architectural terms that you may encounter while browsing the Colorado's Main Streets website. Additional definitions and terms that relate to local buildings have been included in several of the Main Streets walking tours.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |K | L | M |
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
adaptive reuse: When a structure is returned to a use other than its original. For instance, when a house becomes an office, a warehouse becomes apartments or a grain elevator and mill become a restraint.
anthemion leaf: A leaf from Greek ornamentation found in friezes, column capitals (Corinthian) or cornices.
arcade: An open sided covered walkway with a line of arches supported on columns.
architrave: 1. The ornamental moldings that surround a door. 2. The lowest horizontal part of an entablature.
attic story: The portion of the building constructed above the cornice.
awnings: A screen of material (such as fabric, plastic or glass), installed over windows and doors to provide shade, protection form the elements and reduce sun exposure to interior spaces.
B
back bar: A work surface with cabinets found in saloons and barbershops.
balustrade: The rails along a porch or balcony.
battlements: A parapet that alternates between open and solid parts and was originally used on forts and fortresses for defensive purposes.
battered column: A column that has an inclined or tilted surface with the result of the column being wider at the bottom than at the top.
Beaux-Arts: A late 19th Century, early 20th Century architectural school that believed in using grandiose styles. Structures are usually symmetrical, using revival elements from Italian Renaissance, Greek Revival, Classical Revival and other ornate styles. Many times these styles were mixed, creating an eclectic work. The style was primarily used for public buildings such as court houses, libraries, museums and mansions.
board and batten siding: “Wall construction for a timber-frame [building] in which the exterior covering consists of closely spaced boards set vertically, with narrow wood strip covering the joints between the boards.” (Harris, 306)
bracket: Either a supportive or decorative member used under eaves, stairs, or other locations, which need addition assistance to carry load.
buttress: “An exterior mass of masonry set at an angle to or bonded into a wall which it strengthens or supports; buttresses often absorb lateral thrusts from roof vaults.” (Harris, 143)
C
Carpenter Gothic: A building style commonly used in homes and churches that is simple, but makes use of Gothic elements such as pointed (lancet) windows with tracery and decorative woodwork such as “gingerbread”. The name comes from the fact that these buildings were almost always designed and built by a local carpenter or builder.
casement windows: A window that hinges or pivots like a door.
cast concrete: Concrete that is placed in its mold at the location where it will be used in a building and then allowed to harden (cure) before the mold is removed.
clapboard: Siding use to clad the exterior of a building. Clapboards are installed by slightly overlapping boards that have one edge wider than another.
clathri window (lattice window): Windows that have wood or metal strips that divide glass in a diagonal pattern to create an ornamental effect.
clerestory: Windows that pierce the upper part of a wall to allow additional light into a building.
Contemporary: A term broadly used to describe architecture constructed between the 1940s through the 1970s. Contemporary buildings frequently have flat roofs, roof decks and broad overhanging eaves. Modern architecture is also a term used as a synonym for Contemporary.
corbelling/corbelled brick: Stepped projections of brick or other type of masonry.
Corinthian Column: From the Corinthian order in Classical architecture. The column capital is ornate featuring acanthus leaves, buds, volutes (scroll shape) and decorative details.
cornice: The exterior trim of a building at the roofline, or a decorative projection from a building, or the top most part of an entablature.
corner stone: A stone laid in a prominent corner that is engraved with the construction date and other information about the building.
corrugated metal siding: Rolled metal in parallel ridges and used as siding. Generally made of galvanized steel or aluminum.
course: Masonry laid horizontally with mortar to form a wall.
Craftsman: Also referred to as the Arts and Crafts style, Craftsman was popular in the United States in the early 20th Century. The style frequently features porches with battered columns, exposed roof rafters projecting under the eaves, gabled front porches and dormers. Building materials included stucco, wood shingles, clapboard, brick and stone. The masonry elements were generally on the first floor. Craftsman building frequently featured casement windows as apposed to single or double hung windows. The Craftsman style is considered a return to a simpler, more natural type of architecture and is a direct opposite to the ornate Victorian Era architecture.
cross gabled roof: A roof that has two intersecting gables at right angles.
crown molding: Molding that finishes the junction between a wall and a roof at the eave.
crude mortar joints: When mortar is not finely tooled between courses of brick or stone.
cupola: A domed roof structure placed on top of a building roof.
Classical Revival: Also frequently referred to as Neoclassical Revival. Ancient Roman and Greek architecture inspired architecture. The style can be described as monumental, utilizing columns, pediments and sparing ornamentation. The style is most frequently found in public buildings and mansions.
D
dentil: Square, tooth like molding used frequently in conjunction with a cornice.
domed roof: A curved roof, frequently used for an atrium or cupola.
Doric capital: A simple column top, square in nature. Developed by the Dorian Greeks, however there is a Roman version.
dormer: A window projection from a sloping roof.
double hung window: A window with two sashes that operate independently of each other and are counterbalanced for opening.
drip mold: A projection around a window or door with the purpose of channeling water away from the opening.
drop siding: Same as tongue and grove siding. One end of the board has a point (tongue), the other end has a grove. The boards are installed by locking the tongue into the groove.
Dutch door: A door that is divided in two with the ability to open the top and bottom parts separately.
Dutch Colonial Revival: 19th and 20th century architecture based on earlier colonial examples from the 17th and 18th century. The style typically features a gambrel roof, often with flared eaves, a Dutch door, double hung windows and decorative shutters. With barns, the form is much simpler with the dominant feature the gambrel roof.
E
eaves: The point where the roof projects from the wall of a building.
elevation: A side of a building. The front elevation is the façade (face) of a building. Elevations are usually associated with a compass direction for clarity (such as “northeast elevation”).
English/Norman Cottage: Generally a small house of masonry or frame construction with simple floor plans. Considered picturesque because of their setting in the surrounding environment.
entablature: An elaborate molding band found in Neoclassical/Classical Revival, supported by columns. The molding includes a cornice, a frieze (often dentil molding) and an architrave (generally un ornamented). Columns support the entablature.
F
façade: The primary elevation of a building, the side of the building viewed as the entrance.
false front: The extension vertically of the façade of a building above the roofline to give the illusion that the building is taller than it actually is.
fan light: A circular window over a door, often with a patter that suggests a fan.
fenestration: The pattern windows make on the exterior of the building.
fieldstone: Stone found in nearby fields or rock formations that are large enough for construction use. The stones usually have an irregular shape.
finials: “An ornament that terminates the point of a spire, pinnacle, etc.” (Harris, 369)
fish scale shingles: Shingles that are rounded on one end and then installed overlapping to give a fish scale appearance.
flattened hipped roof: A hipped (pyramidal) roof that is flat at the top instead of pointed.
frame structure: A structure built from wood studs that form a framework that carries the load of a building to the ground. Frame buildings have an exterior sheathing of wood, masonry, tin or other materials.
frieze: A decorative band, usually found near the top of a wall, under a cornice, part of an entablature, inside a pediment or simply and artistic design element.
G
gabled roof: A roof that slopes on two sides of a central ridge.
gambrel roof: “A roof which has two pitches on each side.” (Harris, 417)
Georgian Revival: Also referred to as Colonial Revival, a style that was popular from 1870s until the turn of the century. Georgian revival is based on British architecture popular during the reign of King George IV (1714-1830). The style is symmetrical, with some of the features being a pedimented front gable, hipped roof clad in slate, Palladian windows, pediments over the main doorway and decorative pilasters.
Gibbs surround: “The framing of a door or window by a head composed of a (usually triple) keystone and by jambs that are bordered by protruding rectangular blocs of stone.” (Harris 426)
gingerbread: Decorative ornamentation cut from wood used in Victorian era buildings.
Gothic Revival: Architectural style based of the original Gothic period in the European Middle Ages. The revival style features pointed arches in window and door openings, tracery in windows, battlements, vaults, cross gables and ornate decoration. Gothic Revival was particularly popular with churches and university buildings (Collegiate Gothic) and homes (Carpenter Gothic).
H
hipped roof: A roof with a pyramid shape. The roof meets all four walls of a building.
I
Ionic column: A column, frequently fluted (grooved), with a capital in a scroll shape.
irregular courses: When stone or brick are laid in a seemingly random fashion.
Italian Renaissance Revival: Architectural style found in the 1800s through the 1930s, and popular with Beaux-Arts school architects. Features include smooth stone used on the first floor, windows and doors with voussoirs, corner quoins, a different fenestration for each floor, false balconies with balustrades, massive elaborate cornice and decorative detailing.
J
K
keystone: A wedge shaped masonry element typically found over the center of a window or door. In an arch, keystones help support the weight of the structure above.
kick plate: A protective element added to doors and the areas below windows, primarily in commercial buildings, to avoid marring the surface underneath.
L
lattice window (clathri window): Windows that have wood or metal strips that divide glass in a diagonal pattern to create an ornamental effect.
lancet window: A window with a sharp point at the top. Originally used in Gothic architecture (ca. 1150-1250 ad.) and now used in Gothic Revival styles.
lap siding: Same as clapboard siding, used to clad a structure by overlapping boards.
lightening rod: A metal rod that is connected to ground that prevents lightening from damaging a building. Invented by Benjamin Franklin.
lintel: The top support above an opening such as a window. Lintels support the weight (load) of the building above an opening.
M
mansard roof: A hipped roof with double slopes on all four sides, frequently with the lower slope being steeper than the upper slope. The lower slope is frequently punctuated by the use of dormers.
medallions: An ornamental relief uses on wall or ceilings as decoration. Often, medallions will carry information such as a building name or construction date.
Mission Revival: Popular style from the 1890s through the 1930s. Characteristics include curvilinear parapets, stucco finish, semi-circular arches, tile roof, bell towers and other features. A common building type found in the West and Southwest United States.
molding: Decorative trim that adds contour to a surface.
mullions: A member that supports and separates windows or doors.
muntins: Wood bars used to hold glass panes in divided light windows.
N
Neoclassical: Also frequently referred to as Classical Revival. Ancient Roman and Greek architecture inspired Neoclassical style architecture. The style can be described as monumental, utilizing columns, pediments and sparing ornamentation. The style is most frequently found in public buildings and mansions.
O
outhouse: A small structure used as a toilet and always built away from the main living quarters.
outrigger: A support beam that extends beyond the wall of a building at the ridgeline used to support a hoist.
P
Palladian window: A large arched window with divided lights, bordered by two smaller, but proportional, rectangular windows with divided lights.
parapet: A wall that extends above a cornice or roofline. A parapet can be a variety of shapes such as stepped or curvilinear.
pediment: A gable in a triangular shape typically seen on Neoclassical/Classical Revival style buildings. The feature can be over a window, part of a cornice or part of an entablature around a door.
pier: A column that is designed to support the load (weight) of a building.
pilasters: Masonry projection from a building, but usually decorative in nature and not load bearing (however they may be concealing a load bearing member).
plate glass: A large window that is a single solid sheet of glass.
pressed brick: Prior to being placed in a kiln for hardening, the clay is pressed to create sharp edges and a smooth surface.
purlins: “A roof construction in which [pieces of timber] are laid between the principal rafters; they support the boards that run between the ridge and eaves of the roof.” (Harris, 729) Purlins help support the roofing material. In Craftsman architecture, the purlins frequently project from the wall into the eaves.
Q
quarry cut stone: Same as rough cut stone. Quarry cut stone has a rough finish unlike milled stone, which has a smooth finish.
Queen Anne: A style of architecture found in late 19th Century America and England. The floor plans are asymmetrical and the structures usually feature turrets, forward facing gables, cross gabled roofs, decorative wood and spindle designs and other highly ornate architectural elements.
quoins: Reinforcement at wall edges of a building, often in contrasting masonry (size and color) from the rest of the building.
R
rafter tails: Projection of roof rafters beyond the wall, under the eaves of a building.
rehabilitation: Returning a building to a useful state, but not necessarily returning it to an original, or restored state.
restoration: When a building is brought back to its original, or near original state.
Romanesque Revival/Richarsonian Romanesque: A style popular in the late 19th Century (1890s) featuring massive proportions, curved arches often in clusters, use of rough cut masonry, slate or tile roofs, and parapeted gable ends and other elements that would add to its grand style. It is a style that was first promoted by Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886) and carried on by his many followers. Typically, the style is primarily used for public buildings, churches, university buildings and railroad terminals.
rhyolite: A type of granite found in Colorado and used broadly around the State as a building material. It is perhaps one of the most common local masonry material used.
S
secondary façade: A façade with an entrance, not facing the street or primary roadway.
shed addition: Shed refers to the type of roof, which has a single sloping surface. A shed addition would be an added structure to an existing building with this type of roof as a primary element.
shed dormer: “A dormer window whose eave line is parallel to the eave line of the main roof instead of being gabled…” (Harris, 825)
shingle siding: Roofing type shingles used as siding, often cut to form patterns such as fish scales, or diamonds.
sidelights: Narrow windows installed vertically around a door.
sill: The horizontal support below a window or a door.
sill course: A strip of masonry that is set at the sill level of a building and usually has a greater projection than the surrounding masonry. If the masonry of a building is painted, the sill course will often be painted a contrasting color as an accent. Sometimes called a stringcourse.
spindlework: Woodwork featuring turned, curved pieces. Also called spoolwork.
stringcourse: A horizontal band of contrasting masonry around a building.
stucco: An exterior treatment for buildings made from portland cement, sand and lime.
T
tin ceiling: Ceiling constructed of tiles that are pressed from tin.
tracery: Curvilinear decoration used in windows, primarily Gothic style lancet windows.
transom: A window, separated by a bar (called a transom bar) located above a door.
tuck pointing: The repair of a mortar joint. First the joint is cleaned of loose debris, then new mortar of the same composition of the original is added back into the joint.
turret: A small tower on a building.
Twentieth Century Commercial: A functional building style with modest ornamentation frequently found in many downtown commercial districts in the United States. Most of these building are four to five stories or less, constructed of brick, and uses as store fronts for retail or service establishments.
U
V
vernacular: A wood to describe simple architecture that is often a mix of styles or has no particular style that can be attributed to it.
verge board: Also known as a bargeboard or gableboard. A board that covers the gable end of a roof.
voussoirs: Wedged shaped masonry used to create an arch or used to define a lintel or door header.
W
weather vane: A decorative plate that is mounted on a rod to move freely to indicate wind direction.
widow’s walk: A deck on top of a flat roof usually enclosed by a balustrade, frequently made of cast iron. Widow’s walks once had a practical purpose and were used frequently on seaside houses. The lady of the house could go to the roof to see which ships had arrived in the harbor. If her husbands ship never returned, she knew she was a widow, thus the name.
wire drawn brick: Clay that has been scored by wire prior to being fired at a high temperature.
X Y Z
Bibliography
Kris Christensen, Preservation Consultant
Dictionary of Architecture & Construction. Ed. Cyril M Harris. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2000.
A Guide to Denver's Architectural Styles and Terms. Diane Wilk
Denver: Historic Denver, Inc., 1995.
