This website makes references to a number of terms that may not be familiar to you. Use the links below to explore this glossary.
Palladian Window
classical window style with a tall, often arched central opening flanked on each side by shorter windows with flat window heads
Parapet
portion of an exterior wall that projects above the edge of a roof area
Patio
recreation area adjoining a dwelling, often paved, and adapted especially to outdoor dining
Pavilion
projecting structure on a facade; often having a higher or lower height and its own roof; usually located centrally or at one or both ends of a facade
Pediment
triangular element used over doors and windows
Pendant
ornamental feature that hangs down from a supporting structure or architectural feature
Pent Extension
a short sloped overhang (resembling an eave) found between the eaves on a gable end
Perpendicular Gothic
last phase of Gothic architecture developed in England ca. 1350-1550; a strong vertical emphasis in structure and decorative elements; highly decorative interiors with fan vaults (ceilings highlighted with a lacey network of structural and decorative ribs, or vaults)
Picturesque
architectural style with an assemblage of asymmetrically arranged forms with a variety of textures; picturesque motifs often applied to cottages and Italianate and Gothic style villas
Pier
massive vertical support of masonry placed under columns, arches or walls to support a concentration of loads
Pilaster
shallow pier or post projecting slightly from the surface of a wall; resembles a square post attached to a wall
Pillar
slender vertical structural member bearing a load
Pinnacle
small vertical ornament with a spire-like pyramidal or conical shape, usually used to crown buttresses or the corners of parapets and towers
Pitch
the angle at which a roof slopes from its peak to its eaves
Plan
a drawing of the various parts of any floor or storey of a building, projected upon a horizontal plane; general layout of a building
Pointed Arch
arch that is pointed at the top; characteristic of Gothic architecture
Polychrome/Polychromy
composed of more than two colors
Porch
structure projecting from a building and located in front of an entrance; usually roofed, often open-sided and occasionally supporting a balcony above
Portico
an open-sided porch with a column-supported roof
Post
vertical support member (similar to a column)
Prairie Style (1905 - 1925)
The Prairie Style, or School, evolved around the turn of the century in the work of Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright(1869 - 1959). The style emphasizes horizontal lines, low proportions, gently sloping roofs and very wide overhangs and eaves. Elements of the Arts and Crafts movement can often be seen in the detailing. The Prairie Style is most commonly associated with houses but it was occasionally used for commercial and industrial buildings also.
Prefabricated
constructed or manufactured, often in a factory, for later assembly at a building site
Proportion
the relationship of the dimensions, shapes and quantity of individual elements of a building (such as windows and doors) and their composition as a whole building
Purlins
horizontal structural members that run perpendicularly across the top edges of roof trusses, rafters or beams; the purlins support the roof covering
Pyramidal Roof
hip roof where the sloping ridges (or hips) rise to a single point creating a pyramid-like shape