Architectural elements
Anchor plate
An anchor plate or wall washer is a large plate or washer connected to a tie rod or bolt. Anchor…
Anathyrosis
Anathyrosis is the technical word for the ancient method of dressing the joints of stone blocks in dry stone construction,…
Ambulacrum
An ambulacrum is an architectural term for the atrium, courtyard, or parvise in front of a basilica that is surrounded…
Amalaka
An amalaka, is a segmented or notched stone disk, usually with ridges on the rim, that sits on the top…
Alure
An alure (O. Fr., from aller, "to walk") or allure is an architectural term for an alley, passage, the water-way…
Alcove in architecture
In architecture, an alcove is a recessed area open from a larger room but enclosed by walls, pillars, or other…
Aisle
An aisle is, in general (common), a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows…
Aedicula
In ancient Roman religion, an aedicula (plural aediculae) is a small shrine. The word aedicula is the diminutive of the…
Ornament in art
In architecture and decorative art, ornament is a decoration used to embellish parts of a building or object. Large figurative…
Accolade in architecture
In architecture an accolade is an embellishment of an arch, found most typically in late Gothic architecture. One kind of…
Abat-son
An abat-son (usually plural abat-sons) is an architectural device constructed to reflect sound in a particular direction. Typically it takes…
Abacus in architecture
In architecture, an abacus is a flat slab forming the uppermost member or division of the capital of a column,…
Water table in architecture
A water table is a masonry architectural feature that consists of a projecting course that deflects water running down the…
Cottage window
A cottage window is a double-hung window — i.e., a window with two sashes sliding up and down, hung with…
Copper in architecture
Copper has earned a respected place in the related fields of architecture, building construction, and interior design. From cathedrals to…