A professional organization of architects, designers, and developers dedicated to advancing the practice of architecture.
A nineteenth-century-style house whose main and distinguishing characteristic is its unique roof design, featuring a gently sloping mansard roof topped with an invisible hip roof section and multiple dormers.
The manner in which a building is constructed, including the layout, floor plan, style and appearance, materials used, and the building technology employed.
An atrium is a large open space located within a building, often featuring a glass roof or large windows to allow natural light to enter. It can serve as a central gathering space and often includes greenery or other aesthetic elements.
A bearing wall, also known as a load-bearing wall, is a crucial structural element in construction that supports the weight of the objects above it, providing stability to the building.
CAD is an acronym that can stand for 'Cash Available for Distribution,' 'Central Appraisal District,' or 'Computer-Aided Design,' all of which are pertinent in different realms of real estate and related industries.
Clear span refers to the unobstructed, open area in a building or structure, typically measured height-wise, allowing for more efficient use of space for various applications such as storage, manufacturing, or events.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This technology is widely used in various fields, including engineering, architecture, and industrial design, providing greater precision, speediness, and flexibility in the design process.
A contractor is an individual or company that agrees to supply goods or services under a contract, usually related to the development or renovation of a property. Contractors play essential roles in various aspects of construction projects, such as landscaping, carpentry, plumbing, and architecture.
A custom builder constructs unique homes based on client specifications and architectural designs, offering bespoke solutions different from production or tract houses.
Dutch Colonial homes are a distinctive style characterized by their gambrel roofs, flared eaves, and an overall early-American aesthetic. Typically moderate in size, they are built over 2 to 2½ stories.
An elevation drawing is an orthographic (nonperspective) representation of a property from different views such as the front, rear, or side. This type of drawing helps illustrate how a planned or existing structure is situated in its topographical context.
The façade of a building is its exterior front wall, often the primary architectural expression and an important feature influencing both aesthetics and functional aspects of the structure.
The footprint of a building refers to the shape, orientation, and outline of the ground floor area of a structure within a given plot of land. It influences the overall arrangement and environmental impact of the building on the site.
A gambrel roof is a type of roofing architecture featuring two slopes on either side where the lower slope is notably steeper than the upper, flatter sections, commonly found in barn houses, colonial buildings, and Dutch-influenced homes.
High Victorian Italianate is a nineteenth-century architectural style characterized by its elaborate and ornate design, specifically featuring three different kinds of distinctive window arches: straight-sided, flat-topped, and rectangular.
A hip roof, also known as hipped roof, is a type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls, typically with a fairly gentle slope.
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is a global organization focused on advancing the practice of facility management by integrating principles of business administration, architecture, and behavioral and engineering sciences. The organization promotes excellence through education, advocacy, and networking opportunities for its members.
A log cabin is an early-American-style house constructed from unfinished logs. It leverages the simple yet sturdy nature of timber to provide shelter and is often associated with rustic settings.
A Mansard roof, also known as a French roof or curb roof, is a type of architectural design that features two slopes on all four sides of the roof, with the lower slope being significantly steeper than the upper.
The National Association of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE) is a professional society in the United States that represents engineers and architects who specialize in building inspection and consultation services. NABIE sets standards for building inspection professionals, provides educational resources, and promotes ethical practice in the field.
An early-American-style house that is simple and box-shaped. The traditional material for the exterior siding is white clapboard. A steep pitched roof is used to shed heavy snow.
A Porte-Cochère is a porch or portico that allows a vehicle to pass through, providing protection from the elements for passengers as they exit the vehicle and enter the building. The term is French for 'carriage entrance.'
A Ranch House is a one-story house design that originated in the western United States, characterized by its long, low, and rambling style.
The Regency House is an English-style 2- or 3-story symmetrical house characterized by a hip roof and often featuring a small octagonal window over the front door. This architectural style emphasizes balance and proportion, typical of early 19th-century Regency architecture.
RESTORE refers to the process of returning a building to its original quality and appearance. While modern materials are often used, the primary focus is on faithfully reproducing the original style and elements.
The soffit is the underside of a roof that extends beyond the exterior walls, covering the eaves.
A Spanish Villa is a Latin-style, asymmetrical, 1- to 3-story house known for its distinctive painted stucco exterior walls and red tile roof.
The superstructure refers to any portion of a building that is above ground level. It consists of floors, walls, columns, beams, and roofing necessary to support the elevated lifetime and usage of the structure.
A Western Row House or Western Town House is a nineteenth-century-style house usually built to span an entire street or block, featuring common side walls with adjacent houses.
