Summary of Architecture and Construction Key Terminology
Architecture & Construction Key Terminology for Students
Introduction
Architecture is the practice of designing and organizing spaces where people live, work, and move. This guide introduces common architectural styles, housing types, urban concepts, and processes used to shape buildings and neighborhoods. It is written for a Not attending student and focuses on clear definitions, practical examples, and useful comparisons.
Definition: Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and spaces to meet functional, aesthetic, and social needs.
1. Architectural Styles (overview)
Architecture includes many styles that reflect history, technology, and culture. Below are common, easy-to-recognize styles and short descriptions.
Historic and Revival Styles
- Romanesque: Solid, rounded arches, heavy masonry, small windows.
- Neoclassicism: Symmetry, columns, references to ancient Greek and Roman forms.
- Art Nouveau (Nouveau): Organic lines, decorative facades, stylized natural forms.
Modern and Functional Styles
- Functionalism: Design focused on purpose and efficiency; form follows function.
- Modernism: Clean lines, minimal ornament, new materials and technologies.
Definition: Architectural style refers to a family of characteristics—forms, materials, and decorative approaches—that identify buildings from a period or design philosophy.
2. Residential Building Types
Understanding housing types helps when studying urban form, density, and living patterns.
| Type | Description | Typical location/scale |
|---|---|---|
| Detached house | Single-family building separated from neighbors | Low-density suburbs, countryside |
| Semi-detached house | Pair of houses sharing one wall | Suburbs, medium density |
| Terraced / Row house | Continuous row sharing side walls | Urban streets, higher density |
| Cottage | Small, often single-storey house | Rural or village settings |
| Chalet | Alpine style, steep roofs, wooden balconies | Mountain or resort areas |
| Bungalow | Single-storey, often with a veranda | Suburbs, low-rise neighborhoods |
| Duplex | Two attached living units in one building | Urban or suburban infill |
| Apartment / Block of flats | Multi-unit building with shared circulation | Urban centers, high-density areas |
| Condominium (condo) | Individually owned apartment units in a multi-unit building | Urban and suburban settings |
| Villa | Large, often detached, house with gardens | Wealthy suburbs, outskirts |
Definition: Dwelling is a place where people live; building types affect privacy, cost, and urban form.
3. Urban Layout and Location Concepts
Key terms describe where buildings sit and how neighborhoods form.
- Edge of the city / outskirts: Transition zone between urban and rural land uses.
- High-density housing: Many housing units per area; common in city centers.
- Low-density housing: Fewer units per area; common in suburbs.
- District / neighbourhood: Area with distinct identity or land use mix.
- Mixed-use centre: Combination of housing, shops, offices and services.
Definition: Urban density measures how many people or dwellings occupy a given area; it influences transport, services, and quality of life.
4. Site and Landscape Elements
Design of the site and landscape shapes how buildings relate to surroundings.
- Site: The piece of land where a building stands.
- Location / Setting: Geographic and social context (city center, suburb, countryside).
- Landscaping: Design of outdoor spaces (gardens, paths, trees) around buildings.
- Facade: Building face; important for appearance and climate response.
Practical example: A terraced house on an urban site may have a narrow front garden with trees and pedestrian access; landscaping can soften the street and improve microclimate.
5. Development and Life-cycle Processes
Buildings and districts change over time through these processes.
- Conserve / Conservation / Preserve: Maintain historic or va
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Architecture Basics
Klíčová slova: University studies, Building materials, Architecture, Concrete construction
Klíčové pojmy: Architecture balances function, aesthetics, and context, Recognize major styles: Romanesque, Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau, Modernism, Functionalism, Match housing type to density: detached, semi-detached, terraced, apartments, Site and landscaping affect microclimate and user experience, Conservation preserves heritage; refurbishment updates buildings without full replacement, Redevelopment and regeneration change urban form but risk displacement, Use prefabrication to speed construction and reduce cost, Design checklist: site, access, sunlight, density, adaptability, Facade and scale shape streetscape and human perception, Edge of city and outskirts represent transition zones with mixed land uses, Skyscrapers and high-rise buildings concentrate activity in centers, Adaptive reuse extends building life and reduces demolition waste