# Architecture & Buildings

**Type:** Topic
**Words:** 71

## About

Building styles, structural elements, construction materials, and designed spaces.

## Words by Level

### A1
- building — A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or office; frequency rank 741
- floor — The flat surface you walk on inside a room or building.; frequency rank 815
- wall — A solid upright structure that forms a side of a room or building, or divides one space from another.; frequency rank 977
- glass — A hard, transparent material used for windows and bottles.; frequency rank 1045
- design — A plan or drawing showing how something will be made or how it will work.; frequency rank 2549

### A2
- stone — The hard substance that rock is made of, often used as a building material.; frequency rank 1350
- roof — The covering on top of a building that protects it from rain and weather.; frequency rank 1780
- castle — A large strong building with thick walls, built in the past to defend against attack.; frequency rank 1847
- palace — A large, grand building where a king, queen, or other ruler lives.; frequency rank 2143
- tower — A tall, narrow structure, either standing alone or part of a building.; frequency rank 2411
- structure — The way the parts of something are arranged or organised.; frequency rank 3972
- column — A tall, vertical post used to support a building or as decoration.; frequency rank 5446
- balcony — A platform that sticks out from the wall of a building, usually with a railing, where you can stand outside.; frequency rank 5975
- architecture — The art and practice of designing buildings.; frequency rank 8381

### B1
- steel — A strong, hard metal made from iron, used in building and tools.; frequency rank 3032
- construction — The act or process of building something.; frequency rank 3117
- brick — A hard rectangular block of baked clay used for building.; frequency rank 4006
- foundation — The solid structure built underground that supports a building.; frequency rank 4036
- ceiling — The inside surface at the top of a room.; frequency rank 4980
- hallway — an interior passage in a building from which doors lead into rooms; frequency rank 5458
- architect — A person whose job is to design buildings and oversee their construction.; frequency rank 6544
- monument — A structure built to remember a person or event.; frequency rank 9550
- proportion — A part of a whole, especially when compared to the rest.; frequency rank 12081
- arcade — a place containing coin-operated or electronic games for public entertainment; frequency rank 12679
- stairway — a passage containing a flight or series of stairs between different levels; frequency rank 17906
- skyscraper — A very tall building with many floors.; frequency rank 24608

### B2
- beam — A long, thick piece of wood or metal used to support a building or structure.; frequency rank 4623
- concrete — a hard building material made by mixing cement, sand, and water; frequency rank 5125
- mansion — A very large, grand, and expensive house.; frequency rank 5330
- corridor — A long, narrow passage inside a building with rooms leading off it.; frequency rank 6217
- terrace — A flat, usually paved outdoor area next to a house or restaurant.; frequency rank 7722
- cathedral — A large and important Christian church, especially the main one in a region run by a bishop.; frequency rank 8807
- arch — A curved structure that spans an opening and supports the weight above it.; frequency rank 9360
- decoration — Something added to make a place or object look more attractive.; frequency rank 13085
- mortar — A paste of cement, sand and water that holds bricks or stones together as it dries.; frequency rank 14461
- ornament — An object used to decorate something and make it more attractive.; frequency rank 18001

### C1
- courtyard — An area, open to the sky, partially or wholly surrounded by walls or buildings.; frequency rank 9706
- timber — Wood prepared for building or making things.; frequency rank 11950
- restoration — The act of returning something to its original or former condition.; frequency rank 14160
- ventilation — The process of letting fresh air into a room or building and removing stale air.; frequency rank 14738
- pavilion — a light, often open-sided roofed structure used for shelter or recreation in a park, garden, or public place; frequency rank 15607
- architectural — Relating to the design and construction of buildings.; frequency rank 18066
- gothic — of a European architectural style marked by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and high, elaborate structures; frequency rank 18205
- gable — the usually triangular upper part of an exterior wall between the sloping sides of a roof; frequency rank 20475
- niche — A specialized area or position that suits a person or business well.; frequency rank 20832
- ornamental — Used for decoration rather than for any practical purpose.; frequency rank 40654
- atrium — a large central space inside a building, often open through several floors and lit from above

### C2
- vault — to jump across or leap over an obstacle; frequency rank 4758
- baroque — In the highly decorated, dramatic style of European art and music of about 1600 to 1750.; frequency rank 25982
- cloister — A covered walkway around an open courtyard, usually in a monastery or cathedral; frequency rank 33740
- alcove — a small recessed area opening from a larger room or other interior space; frequency rank 36421
- spire — A tall, pointed structure on top of a tower or church roof.; frequency rank 38505
- eave — the lower edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall of a building; frequency rank 56075
- minaret — a tall, slender tower attached to or standing near a mosque, traditionally used for the call to prayer; frequency rank 58568
- colonnade — a row of regularly spaced columns supporting a roof or entablature; frequency rank 71789
- brickwork — bricks set in mortar as part of a wall or building; masonry made from bricks; frequency rank 75703
- cornice — a horizontal moulded projection that crowns a building, wall, or classical entablature; frequency rank 76705
- pediment — a triangular architectural feature above columns, a doorway, or a window, especially in classical buildings

### C2+
- staircase — a way of access, upward and downward, consisting of a set of steps; frequency rank 10749
- blueprint — a detailed plan or technical drawing serving as a model
- insulation — material used to prevent the passage of heat, sound, or electricity
- renovate — to restore to good condition; refurbish
- steeple — a tall tower with a spire on top of a church
- buttress — a support projecting from a wall; to reinforce or strengthen
- dome — a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure
- facade — the front exterior of a building, or a deceptive outward appearance
- lintel — a horizontal beam across the top of a door or window
- masonry — stonework or brickwork; the craft of building with such materials
- pillar — an upright vertical support, or a person regarded as a mainstay
- portico — a roofed structure supported by columns at the entrance of a building
- symmetry — balanced and proportionate similarity between the parts of something