Architectureglossaryv

Architecture Glossary

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Vault � An arched ceiling or roof of stone, brick or concrete, sometimes imitated in wood or plaster.

Barrel vault: see B

Cloister vault - A domelike vault having a square or polygonal base from which curved segments rise to a central point. Also called domical vault.

Cloister vault of Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, England

Cross-vault: a vault formed by the intersection of two or more simple vaults - called also cross vaulting

Fan vault: see F

Groin vault: see G

Hyperbolic paraboloid vault: see H

Lierne: see L

Ploughshare vault or stilted vault: A Rib vault where the wall ribs spring from a higher position than those of the diagonal ribs.

Rampant vault - A continuous wagon vault, or a cradle vault, whose two abutments are located on an inclined plane, such as a vault supporting or forming the ceiling of a stairway.

Rib vault: see R

Sexapartite vault: see S

Stellar vault is one with the ribs, liernes and tierceron arranged in a star-shaped pattern.

Church of St Peter's, Gloucester

Tierceron: see T

Transverse arch: see T

Tunnel vault � see Barrel vault

Vaulting shaft � The vertical member leading to the springer of a vault.

Velarium � An awing hung over a courtyard or, in ancient Rome, over an amphitheatre

In the Colosseum even the poor and women had protection from rain or sun however an extensive velarium, a coloured awning , could be stretched across the arena. This was raised and lowered by means of pulleys and ropes by a detachment of sailors recruited from warships. Sailors were used since the maneuver was much like raising sails on a ship. No one is absolutely certain of the exact method by which the velarium was hoisted.

Venetian door - An adaptation of the serliana to a doorway, i.e. with the central opening arched and flanked by tall narrow square-topped windows.

Veranda � An open gallery or balcony with a roof supported by light, usually metal, supports.

Vermiculation - Decoration of a surface by means of random channels resembling worm-tracks. See also rustication.

Vernacular architecture � A term of recent usage indicating, by analogy with language (native, or local dialects) buildings in indigenous styles constructed from locally available materials following traditional building practice and patterns and not architect-designed.

e.g. North American farm house, often of CLAPBOARD, without any or with only a few superficial classical feature;

or in England medieval BARNS

or timber-framed houses of which the Wealden House was notable type.

The Kelmscott Manor, owned by William Morris, is a prime example of England, specifically Oxfordshire, vernacular architecture.

Although a taste for such buildings formed a part of the Picturesque from the late 18th century (e.g. the Cottage Orn�), they were generally scorned until the mid to late 19th century, when professional architects associated with Morris and the Art and Craft movement drew inspiration from them in their search for a way out of Historicism while preserving contact with national or local history and traditions.

Vesica � See mandorla