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HomeMy Public PortalAbout7. Glossary Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Plainfield Rural Structures and Farmsteads Survey Glossary – 1 Glossary abutment. A masonry mass (or the like) which receives th e thrust of an arch , vault, or strut. adaptive reuse. The conversion or functional change of a building from the purpose or use for which it was originally constructed or designed. Such conversions ar e accomplished with varying degrees of alterations to the building. The more change that is necessary, the less likel y that particular new use is appropriate for a historic building. addition. An extension or increase in floor area, number of stories, or height of a building or structure. arch. A curved construction which spans an opening; usually consists of wedge-shaped blocks call voussoirs, or a curved or pointed structural member which is supporte d at the sides or ends. Arches vary in shape from semicircular and semi-elliptical to bluntly or acutely pointed arches. architectural conservation. The science of preserving architecture and its historic fabric by observing and analyzing the evolution, deterioration, and care of struct ures; the conducting of investigations to determine the cause, effect, and solution of structural problems; and the directing of remedial interventions focused on maintaining the integrity and quality of historic fabric. balloon frame. A system of framing a wooden building where all ver tical structural elements of the exterior walls and partitions consist of light single studs (usually 2x4, but sometimes larger) which may extend the full height of the frame and are fastened by nails to the studs. Ball oon framing differs from a braced frame in that a balloon framed wall acts as a bearing wall and does not rely on posts and beams to support joists. baluster. One of a number of short vertical members, often circular in section used to support a stair, porch, or balcony handrail or a coping. balustrade. An entire railing system (as along the edge of a balcony) including a top rail and its balusters, and sometimes a bottom rail. barrel vault. A masonry vault of plain, semicircular cross section, supported by parallel walls or arcades and adapted to longitudinal areas. bay. one architectural subdivision of a wall, roof, or structure marked by repetition of similar elements, such as columns or windows. beam. A horizontal structural member whose prime function is to carry transverse loads, as a joist, girder, rafter, or purlin brick. A solid or hollow masonry unit of clay or shale, molded into a rectangular shape while plastic, and then burnt in a kiln column. A slender vertical element carrying compressive loads from other structural elements above. contributing. A historic property which retains historical integrity and forms a part of a grouping of related properties corbel. In masonry, a projection or one of a series of projections, each stepped progressively farther forward with height; anchored in a wall, story, co lumn, or chimney; used to support an overhanging member above or, if continuous, to support overhanging courses Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Bibliography – 2 Plainfield Rural Structures and Farmsteads Survey cornice. The exterior trim of a structure at the meeting of the roof and wall or at the top of the wall in the case of a parapet, usually consisting of bed molding, soffit, fasc ia, and crown molding; any molded projection which crowns or finishes the part to which it is affi xed; the third or uppermost division of an entablature, resting on the frieze; an ornamental molding, usually of wood or plaster, running round the walls of a room just below the ceiling; a crown molding; the molding forming the top member of a door or window frame course. a continuous horizontal range of masonr y units such as bricks, as in a wall. dormer. a projecting structure built out from a sloping roof , usually containing a vertical window or louver. elevation. A drawing showing the vertical elemen ts of a building, either exterior or interior, as a direct projection of the vertical plane; also used for the exterior walls of a building other than the facade (front). fabric. The structural and material por tions that make up the building (f rames, walls, floors, roof, etc.). facade. The exterior face of a building which is the architectural fron t, sometimes distinguished from the other faces by elaboration of architectural or ornamental details. gable. The vertical triangular portion of wall at the end of a building having a double-sloping roof, from the level of the cornice or eaves to the ridge of the roof. gambrel. A roof which has two pitches on each side. hip. A roof which has equal pitches on all sides of a building. integrity. A district, site, building, structure, or object with intact original location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and associa tion, to an extent that its hist oric character is discernible. joist. One of a series of parallel beams of timber, reinforced concrete, or steel used to support floor and ceiling loads, and supported in turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls; the widest dimension is vertically oriented. landmark. A property or district which has been designate d by a government entity as possessing historic significance. lintel. A horizontal structural member (such as a beam) over an opening which carries the weight of the wall above. mansard. A roof having a double slope on four or more sides of the building, the lower slope being much steeper. mortar. A mixture of cementitious materials (such as cement and/or lime) with water and a fine aggregate (such as sand); can be troweled in the plastic state; hardens in place. When used in masonry construction, the mixture may contain masonry cement or ordinary hydraulic cement with lime (and often other admixtures) to increase its plasticity and durability. mortise. A hole, cavity, notch, slot, or recess cut into a timber or piece of other material; usually receives a tenon, but also has other purposes, as to receive a lock. National Register of Historic Places. The official list of the Nation's cultural resources worthy of preservation. The National Register includes districts, sites, buildings , structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and cultures. National Historic Landmark (NHL). Historic and archeological sites, buildings, and objects possessing exceptional value as commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States. NHLs are buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects are of exceptiona l national significance in American history and culture. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Plainfield Rural Structures and Farmsteads Survey Glossary – 3 non-contributing. A property physically located within a historic di strict or area of study which does not relate to the defined criteria of historic significance for the area. parapet. A low guarding wall at any point of sudden drop, as at the edge of a te rrace, roof, battlement, balcony, etc; in an exterior wall, fire wall, or party wall, the part entirely above the roof. pointing. In masonry, the final treatment of joints by the trowe ling of mortar into the joints. The removal of mortar from between the joints of masonry units and the replacing of it with new mortar is properly called “repointing.” pyramidal. A hip roof in which all planes of the roof come together at a single point. rehabilitation. Returning a property to a state of usefulness through repair or alteration which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions or features of the property which are significant to its historical, architectural , and cultural values. restoration. Accurately recovering the form and details of a pr operty and its setting as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of late r work or by replacement of missing earlier work. ridge. The horizontal line at the junction of the upper edges of two sloping roof surfaces. shed. A roof consisting of a single, sloping plane. significant. A district, site, building, structure, or object that has integrity and that is associated with historical events or patterns of events; or that are associated with the lives of significant persons; or that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, style, period, or method construction, or possess high artistic values. sill. A horizontal timber, at the bottom of the frame of a wooden structure, which rests on the foundation; the horizontal bottom member of a window or door frame. spandrel. In a multistory building, a wall panel filling the space between the top of the wind ow in one story and the sill of the window in the story above. stabilization. Applying measures designed to reestablish a weather-resistant enclosure and the structural stability of an unsafe or deteriorated property while maintain ing the essential form as it exists at present. stud. An upright post or support, especially one of a seri es of vertical structural members which act as the supporting elements in a wall or partition. tenon. The projecting end of a piece of wood, or other material, which is reduced in cross section, so that it may be inserted in a corresponding cavity (mortise) in another piece in order to form a secure joint. tension. The state or condition of being pulled or stretched. truss. A structure composed of a combination of members that resist axial loads, usually in some triangular arrangement so as to co nstitute a rigid framework. vault. A masonry covering over an area whic h uses the principle of the arch. wythe. One thickness of brick or other masonry material in a wall, commonly about 4 inches.