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Art History 2 - Architectural Terms

Terms

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Spire
An elongated, pointed structure which rises from a tower, turret, or roof.
Key Stone
The voussoir at the top of an arch; in vaulting it occurs at the intersection of the ribs of a rib vault. Important structurally because it marks the apex of the arch.
Doric
The lowest/earliest order of the Greek columns. Resembles a cushion
Rib
An arch of masonry, often molded, which forms part of the framework on which a vault rests.
Cross-section
A diagram showing a building as if it had been cut at right angles to the ground plane.
Ambulatory
A semicircular or polygonal aisle that leads around the east end of the choir separating the choir from apses or chapels.
Corinthian
The latest/highest order of Greek columns, not really Greek at all. Capital contains acanthus leaves.
Ionic
The middle order of the Greek columns. Contains the volutes which look like scrolls of paper.
Capital
Decorative element that divides a column or pier from the masonry which it supports.
Dome
A hemispherical vault.
Colonade
A row of columns which support horizontal members, called an architrave rather than arches.
Voussoire
One of the wedge-shaped stones used in constructing an arch.
Transept
A rectangular area which cuts across the main axis of a basilica-type buiding and projects beyond it.
Baptistry
A building or part of a church used for baptism.
Apse
A vaulted extension or projection, usually from a choir or chapel and generally circular or plygonal in shape.
Campanile
Italian name for a bell tower, usually one that is detached from the main building.
Flying Buttress
A free-standing support attached to the main vessel (nave, choir, or transept wall) by an arch or half-arch which transmits the thrust of the vault to the support attached tot he outer wall of the aisle.
Atrium
An open courtyard at the entrance of a church, usually surrounded by covered aisles.
Crossing
An area of a church where the nave, choir, and transept intersect.
Choir
The area of the church between a transept and main apse. it is the area where the service is sung and clergy may stand, and the main or high altar is located.
Span
The horizontal distance between the two supporting members of an arch of vault.
Portal
Any doorway or entrance but especially one that is large and imposing.
Central Plan
A building in which the sides are of equal length and in which the main space is symmetrical when bisected laterally and longitudinally.
Lintel
A flat horizontal beam which spans the space between two supports.
Pier
An upright support, generally square, rectangular, or composite.
Rose Window
A circular window composed of patterned tracery arranged in petal-like formation.
Column
A cylindrical support, usually structural but often decorative.
Drum
A cylindrical wall which supports a dome.
Arch
A curved structural member spanning an opening or recess.
Clerestory
An upper story of a building with windows above adjacent roofs.
Aisle
Open area of a church parallel to the nave and separated from it by columns or piers.
nave
The central longitudinal space of a basilica church.
Springer
The lowers voussoir on each side of an arch. It is where the vertical support for the arch terminates and the curve of the arch begins.

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