A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced like the initials: ay-eff-eff) These three letters represent a four-word phrase: above the finished floor. This acronym is used in keynotes and within construction drawings to let contractors and tradesmen know how high something should be placed

A&D
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(pronounced like the initials: ay & dee) Stands for "Architecture & Design". You'll see this term a lot on business cards because someone will be the A&D Manager for a manufacturer or he / she will be a representative

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced A-buh-kuss) Though this Greek-sounding word describes one of those ancient "calculators" made of beads and rods, it also has a definition related to architecture: the uppermost flat slab on the top of a pilaster or capital of a

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced AB-ruh-gayt ) If you abrogate something, then you either treat it as if it doesn’t exist or you abolish or annul it. Yes, it’s a strong verb, so use it carefully! EXAMPLE: The architectural firm’s decade-old rule that had

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(pronounced eh-KAN-thehs) It seems a little odd that a Mediterranean plant would show up in this glossary, but this flora, which sports plump, scalloped leaves, plays a high-profile role in classic architecture. Carved representations of acanthus leaves are common

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced ek-SEH-seh-ree eh-PART-mehnt) Apparently this term has been around for a while, but we only just became aware of it recently, so we thought that we would share it with you. You may have heard the terms "in-law apartment,"

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced a-SIR-bik) A great way to remember what this word means: think acid. Yes, this descriptor means sharp and bitter in tone, temper, or mood. And I think we all know someone like this. (Just don’t let that someone

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced A-seh-tate) You very well might hear this word used to describe a transparent or translucent plastic sheet material, either tinted with color or simply colorless. A variety of industries use these sheets either as an overlay – say,

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(pronounced eh-KOOS-tih-kuhl WAHL-kuh-veh-ring) Also referred to as “acoustical wall fabric,” acoustical wallcovering is soft, pliable, sound-absorbing material for vertical surfaces is used to help control sound in interior spaces where speech intelligibility and sound clarity is essential — e.g.,

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounce ak-wee-ESS) Though this word looks like it might have some kind of relationship to water - i.e., aqua- it doesn’t. So get that out of your head. (Sorry we even mentioned it.) Anyway, when you acquiesce, it means