Architecture and Construction - Parts of a Building

Here you will learn some English words related to the different parts of a building such as "garage", "pantry", and "alcove".

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Architecture and Construction
fabric [noun]

the physical framework or structural components of a building

Ex: The roof repairs preserved the original fabric of the house .
garage [noun]

a building, usually next or attached to a house, in which cars or other vehicles are kept

Ex: He decided to convert the garage into a small workshop for his woodworking hobby .

a specialized storage space designed to store and age wine bottles under controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions to preserve their quality and flavor over time

Ex: They converted the unused space under the stairs into a small wine cellar to store their growing collection .
cellar [noun]

an underground storage space or room, typically found in a building, used for storing food, wine, or other items that require a cool and dark environment

Ex: She found a hidden door in the kitchen that led down to the cellar .
facade [noun]

the front of a building, particularly one that is large and has an elegant appearance

Ex: The theater 's facade featured a marquee sign and grand entrance , inviting patrons to experience the magic of live performances within .
magazine [noun]

a storage compartment or building for ammunition, explosives, or weapons

Ex: The magazine was reinforced to withstand accidental explosions .
pantry [noun]

a cupboard or small room, often next to kitchen, used for keeping food in

Ex: He found the extra cans of beans in the pantry .

a designated space within a building used for storing various items or belongings in an organized manner, typically equipped with shelves, cabinets, or other storage solutions

Ex: She uses the storage room to store holiday decorations when they 're not in use .
wall [noun]

an upright structure, usually made of brick, concrete, or stone that is made to divide, protect, or surround a place

Ex: He stands on a ladder to reach the top of the wall for painting .
roof [noun]

the structure that creates the outer top part of a vehicle, building, etc.

Ex: She noticed a small bird nesting on the roof of her garage .
ceiling [noun]

the highest part of a room, vehicle, etc. that covers it from the inside

Ex: He noticed a water stain on the ceiling and called a professional to fix the leak .
fixture [noun]

a piece of equipment such as a bath that is permanently affixed inside a house or building and people cannot take it out when they move out

Ex: The landlord was responsible for repairing any broken fixtures in the rental property .
frontage [noun]

the front exterior of a house, apartment, or another building that faces a street or river

Ex: The restaurant ’s frontage was renovated to attract more customers .

a device used to measure and monitor the flow and consumption of natural gas or propane in residential, commercial, or industrial settings

Ex: She checked the gas meter to see if there was any change in the reading after using the stove all evening .
room [noun]

a space in a building with walls, a floor, and a ceiling where people do different activities

Ex: There is a small room next to the living room for reading .
utility [noun]

a service that is provided to the public, such as electricity, water, or gas, which is used in daily life

Ex: The government is responsible for ensuring the provision of essential utilities to all citizens .
annex [noun]

a building later added to a main building in order to provide more space

Ex: They converted the old annex into a modern office space .
chimney [noun]

a channel or passage that lets the smoke from a fire pass through and get out from the roof of a building

Ex: Santa Claus is often imagined coming down the chimney .
cowl [noun]

a hood-like covering or structure, often with a conical or curved shape, used to cover or protect an opening or feature such as a chimney, ventilator, or roof

a protective covering made of metal or glass that is placed in front of a fireplace to prevent sparks, embers, or debris from escaping while still allowing heat and light to pass through

Ex: We decided to get a fire screen with a mesh design to allow better airflow while still being safe .

a shelf that is made of wood or stone and is above a fireplace

Ex: The antique clock was displayed prominently on the mantelpiece , its intricate design adding character to the room .

a small and cozy corner or space, usually next to a fireplace, where people can sit and relax in a warm and comfortable environment

Ex: They built a cozy inglenook with a stone bench where they could sit and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace .
floor [noun]

the bottom of a room that we walk on

Ex: She accidentally dropped a plate , and it shattered into pieces on the floor .
level [noun]

one of the many floors that are in a building

Ex: The meeting room is on the same level as the reception desk .

a floor situated between two other floors of a building, which is smaller compared to the two

Ex:
column [noun]

a vertical structural element, often made of stone, that supports the weight of the building above it

Ex: The interior of the cathedral was adorned with ornate columns carved from marble .
front [noun]

the front face of a large building, particularly a church

Ex: The church 's front was adorned with intricate carvings .
lobby [noun]

the area just inside the entrance of a public building such as a hotel, etc.

Ex: She sat in the lobby , sipping her coffee and watching people come and go .

a vertical or inclined passage in a building that allows for the convenient disposal of waste materials by dropping them into a designated collection area or dumpster

Ex: The janitor is responsible for emptying the bins at the bottom of the trash chute each day .
alcove [noun]

a recessed part of a wall that is built further back from the rest of it

Ex: The bedroom featured a window alcove , providing a sunny spot for a reading nook or small seating area .
vent [noun]

an opening or passage that allows the movement of air, gases, or other substances, typically used for ventilation, release of heat or moisture, or to remove unwanted odors

an area with no roof that is partially or completely surrounded by walls, often forming a part of a large building

Ex: After the renovation , the old mansion now has a peaceful courtyard with blooming flowers .

a curved architectural space where sound waves can travel along the walls, allowing whispers to be heard clearly from one side to the other

Ex: As she stood in the whispering gallery , Emma was amazed at how her soft voice could be heard on the other side of the room .

a short and wide pipe connected to the top of a chimney

Ex: He climbed up to fix the cracked chimney pot before winter set in .
pace [noun]

a courtyard or open area within a building complex

Ex: Ancient villas often had a pace at the center .
suite [noun]

a series of rooms, particularly in a hotel

Ex: Our suite included a spacious living area , a kitchen , and a private balcony .

a four-sided courtyard or open space, often enclosed by buildings or walls, typically found in educational institutions, residential complexes, or historical landmarks

stairway [noun]

a set of steps along with their surrounding structure that can lead one from one floor to another

Ex: The emergency stairway is located at the back of the building .

a small elevator or lifting device used to transport items such as food, dishes, or laundry between different floors of a building, typically in a commercial or residential setting

elevator [noun]

a box-like device that moves up and down and is used to get to the different levels of a building

Ex: I pressed the button and waited for the elevator to arrive .

a staircase that moves and takes people up or down different levels easily, often found in large buildings like airports, department stores, etc.

Ex: She hurriedly descended the escalator , anxious to catch her train before it departed .
hearth [noun]

an open area at the base of a chimney used for building a fire

Ex: The hearth was lined with brick for safety .
fireside [noun]

the area or space near a fire, particularly a fireplace, where people gather for warmth, relaxation, and socializing

gallery [noun]

a long and narrow covered walkway or corridor with a series of arches or columns along one or both sides

a vertical transportation system consisting of a cylindrical tube or shaft in which a cabin or platform travels, enabling efficient movement between different floors or levels within a building

Ex: The modern office building is equipped with a sleek tube elevator for quick movement between floors .

the network of components, wiring, and devices that enable the generation, distribution, and use of electrical power within a building or structure

a network of pipes, fixtures, valves, and other components that work together to supply and distribute water, as well as remove waste and sewage, within a building or structure

Ex: Installing an energy-efficient plumbing system can help save water and reduce bills .
soffit [noun]

the underside of an architectural element, such as a ceiling, arch, or overhanging roof, typically located on the underside of a structure

Ex: Birds often try to nest in gaps in the soffit if it is not sealed properly .
story [noun]

a level or floor of a building, separated by a horizontal division, used to describe the building's height or structure

Ex: The fire spread quickly to the upper stories of the old warehouse .

an upper floor of a house, apartment, or any other building

Ex: The upstairs of the house has two bedrooms and a small study .

a floor that is located on a lower level of a building, particularly at the ground level

Ex: The downstairs area has a spacious kitchen and dining room .
interior [noun]

the internal part of a building, car, etc.

Ex: The interior of the museum is filled with beautiful artwork and sculptures .
exterior [noun]

the outer surface or outermost layer of an object, building, etc.

Ex: She wiped down the box ’s exterior before opening it .