Architecture Glossary

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Iconostasis – A screen in Byzantine churches separating the sanctuary from the nave and pierced by three doors. Originally a lattice of columns jointed by a decorated parapet and coping.

Imbrex – In Greek and Roman architecture, a convex tile to cover the join between two flat or concave roofing tiles

Impluvium – The basin or water cistern, usually rectangular, in the centre of an atrium of a Roman house to receive the rain-water from the surrounding roofs.

Impost – A member in the wall, usually formed of a projecting bracket-like moulding, on which the end of an arch appears to rest. In a Gothic architecture, moulding on an arch sometimes continue without break to the floor and are called continuous imposts.

Indent – A shape chiselled out in a stone slab to receive a brass effigy.

Ingo or ingoing – The return face of a wall to provide a recess, usually for a door or window.

Intercolumniation – The space between columns measured in diameters. Vitruvius established five main ratios, 1½ D Pycnostyle,  2 D Systyle,  2½ D Eustyle,  3 D Diastyle,  4 D Araeostyle.

Intrados – The inner curve or underside of an arch; also called a soffit.

Isometric projection – A geometrical drawing to show a building in three dimensions.

Architecture Glossary

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