Architecture Glossary

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G

Gable – The triangular upper portion of a wall at the end of a pitched roof corresponding to a pediment in classical architecture. It can be used non functionally, e.g. on the portal of a Gothic cathedral.

St. Etienne

Galilee – A vestibule or occasionally a chapel, originally for penitents and usually at the west end of a church.

Gallery – In church architecture, an upper storey over an aisle, opening on the nave. Also called a tribune and often, wrongly, a triforium.

Galleting – Inserting into mortar courses, while still soft, small pieces of stone, chips of flint, etc., sometimes for structural but usually for decorative reasons.

Gargoyle – A water spout projecting from a roof, or the parapet of a wall or tower, and carved into a grotesque figure, human or animal.

Gazebo – A small look-out tower or summerhouse with view, usually in a garden or park but sometimes on the roof of a house; in the latter case it is called a belvedere.

Geodesic dome – A hemispherical space frame construction of lightweight rods jointed to form hexagons, developed by Buckminster Fuller.

Gibbs surround – The surround of a doorway or window consisting of alternating large and small blocks of stone, quoin-wise, or of intermittent large blocks; sometimes with narrow raised band connecting up the vertical and along the face of the arch. Named after the architect James Gibbs though used by other architects, e.g. Palladio.

Greek cross – A cross with four equal arms.

Groin vault - A vault produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel (tunnel) vaults. Sometimes the arches of groin vaults may be pointed instead of round.

Grotesque – Fanciful ornamental decoration composed of small, loosely connected motifs, not unlike arabesque but including human figures, monkeys, sphinxes, etc. It derived from ancient Roman decorations, either painted or in low relief, which came to light in the Renaissance after being buried for centuries in subterranean ruins known as grotte, hence the name grotesque.

Base of Persus - Florence

Grotto – An artificial cavern, usually with fountains and other water-works and decorated with rocks and shell-works, also sculpture, ceramic relieves and panels etc.

Boboli Garden - Florence

Guilloche – A pattern of interlacing bands forming a plait and used as an enrichment on a moulding.

Guttae – Small drop-like projections carved below the tenia under each triglyph on a Doric architrave.

Architecture Glossary

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