IMPRESS IN BRUTALIST FASHION

Go For An Urban Safari With These 12 Architectural Terms

Image: Ricardo Gomez Angel

The realm of architecture is riddled with idioms that describe styles, technical features, concepts, and a million more things that make this ancient combination of art and science what it is.

Knowing a few of these terms can certainly be useful for impressing people in casual conversation but it can also prove valuable in understanding some of the key aspects of architecture. From gables to fenestrations, from Gothic to Brutalist architecture, the myriad of words in this discipline can confuse almost everyone. So, read on and learn about some of them.

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Derived from the Italian word balaustro, meaning "wild pomegranate flower", the baluster stands as a vertical pillar, typically slender and often intricately adorned, supporting railings along staircases, balconies, or terraces.

These architectural elements showcase both functionality and aesthetic finesse, adding a touch of elegance to structures. Serving as guardians of safety, balusters seamlessly blend form and function, illustrating the nuanced language that architects use to craft the spaces we inhabit.

Image: Michael Elliott

Coming from the Old French word finir, meaning "to finish", the finial is a crowning jewel, a decorative ornament that graces the summits of structures, be they spires, gables, or sometimes even furniture.

With origins deeply rooted in medieval architecture, finials evolved from functional elements to exquisite expressions of craftsmanship. These sculpted finales, akin to miniature sculptures, punctuate the skyline and rooflines, completing architectural narratives with flair.

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The term "cornice" comes as a defining feature, gracing buildings with a touch of grandeur. Originating from the Italian word cornice, meaning ledge, this architectural flourish sits proudly at the meeting point of walls and roofs, marking the transition from structure to sky.

Serving both functional and aesthetic purposes, cornices act as protective overhangs, shielding edifices from the elements while bestowing a visual exclamation point to their design. From the ornate cornices adorning historic buildings to the sleek, modern iterations of contemporary architecture, these elevated ledges narrate the tales of different eras and styles.

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A word derived from the Middle Frenchdormeor, meaning "sleeping room", dormers are akin to architectural eyelids, projecting windows vertically from a sloping roof. These structures not only invite natural light into attics and upper spaces but also introduce a captivating aesthetic rhythm to the roofline.

Dormers have adapted to various styles from Gothic to Colonial, each time giving spaces a sense of character and uniqueness.

Image: Ricardo Gomez Angel

The term "cantilever" expresses a sort of defiance of gravity, a structural marvel that challenges conventional supports. Derived from the medieval Latin word cantileverium, meaning a "bracket" or "beam", cantilevers extend boldly from a building's main structure, seemingly suspended in mid-air.

These architectural marvels appear in everything from daring modern residences to iconic skyscrapers. Cantilevers not only push the boundaries of design but also serve practical purposes, creating overhangs, balconies, or awe-inspiring architectural feats.

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Rooted in the ancient Greek word konops, meaning a covering or mosquito net, canopies are architectural appendages that transcend mere utility. These overhead structures, be they stretched over entrances, walkways, or outdoor spaces, offer protection from the elements while bestowing an aesthetic flourish.

From the intricate designs adorning historical structures to the sleek, modern lines of contemporary designs, canopies dually serve as functional guardians and artistic statements.

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An arcade is a series of contiguous arches supported by columns or other vertical elements. It comes from the Italian word arcata which means, quite literally, "arch". These successions of arches, often forming covered walkways or open galleries, can be seen in both ancient structures and modern urban landscapes.

Whether framing crowded shopping malls or adorning historical buildings, arcades seamlessly blend aesthetic charm with functional allure.

Image: Joseph Corl

Gables adorn roofs with a distinct silhouette that speaks to architectural heritage. Derived from the Old Frenchgable or gabulum, meaning "end of a building", a gable is the triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof.

Whether gracing the facades of historic cottages or modern structures, gables add a touch of elegance and visual interest to the skyline. These peaked beauties, often embellished with decorative elements, symbolize the meeting point of form and function.

Image: Nathan Cima

A quite elegant word in itself, an "architrave" is an element that graces the transitions between columns and structures. Derived from the Greek words archi, meaning "chief", and trabe, meaning "beam", the architrave serves as the principal beam resting atop columns, forming an essential part of classical architectural orders.

This horizontal member, though often understated, bears the weight of the entablature, symbolizing the subtle elegance that defines architectural cohesion. Whether in ancient temples or contemporary buildings, architraves showcase a marriage of function and aesthetics, illustrating the enduring influence of classical principles in shaping our built environments.

Image: J. M Read

A "buttress" is a steadfast guardian, supporting structures with a blend of strength and purpose. Derived from the Old French word bouteresse, meaning a prop or support, a buttress is an external architectural feature designed to counteract the lateral thrust exerted by a building, particularly in the case of large or Gothic structures.

These architectural reinforcements come in various forms, from flying buttresses gracefully spanning cathedral walls to massive earthbound counterparts.

Image: Scott Webb

In the world of architecture, "cladding" unveils itself as the outer skin, a protective and aesthetic layer that dresses buildings in a myriad of materials. Rooted in the Middle English word "clad," meaning clothed, cladding is the art of enveloping structures to shield them from the elements while shaping their visual identity.

Whether manifesting as sleek glass panels on modern skyscrapers or rustic stone on historic structures, cladding reflects the character and purpose of a building.

Image: Kenrick Baksh

"Fenestration" is the art of placement and design of windows and other openings in a building's facade. Coming from the Latin word fenestra, meaning "window", fenestration goes beyond mere openings, including the arrangement, size, and style of windows to shape the visual and functional aspects of a structure.

Whether framing panoramic views in contemporary skyscrapers or punctuating historical buildings with rhythmic precision, fenestration is the orchestration of light, ventilation, and aesthetics.

The future is now

Are voice assistants changing the way we speak?

Image: BENCE BOROS

For millions of people around the world, voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have become part of daily routines, but they are also quietly changing the way we speak. From how we phrase questions to the words we choose, these digital helpers are introducing subtle changes in everyday language. As our use of these devices increases, the amount of time we spend talking to them will likely increase as well. Here are 12 ways voice assistants are influencing the way we communicate.

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The first and probably most noticeable example of how voice assistants change the way we speak has to do with the shift to more imperative sentences when making requests.

For example, instead of saying, "Can you please set a timer for me?" people now tend to default to concise, direct commands like, "Set a timer for 10 minutes." We use imperative sentences rather than polite or indirect forms.

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Since voice assistants are, essentially, robots that break up commands into simple concepts to process them effectively, we tend to simplify and rephrase the way we speak by using key terms the assistant is more likely to understand.

For example, instead of saying, "Can you put on something jazzy?" people often default to a concise command like, "Play jazz music."

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Another common trait when speaking to machines is that we tend to repeat similar structures, since voice assistants do not handle follow-up context as well as humans do.

For example, someone might say, "What’s the weather today? What’s the weather tomorrow?"

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This is possibly one of the most positive effects on the list. When speaking to a voice assistant, people tend to slow down and articulate more clearly, a habit that sometimes carries over into their regular speech.

For example, someone might deliberately separate words, saying, "Call… Mom," for a clearer enunciation.

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Wake words—those commands used to "wake up" a voice assistant, such as "Hey Siri" or "Alexa"—are increasingly entering casual conversation and humor.

For example, people might jokingly say, "Okay Google, make me a sandwich," to someone, or, "Hey Siri, can you take the dog out for a walk?"

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Another notable language shift is the tendency to use more formal, literal phrasing when speaking to machines, a habit that sometimes carries over into everyday conversation.

For example, someone might say, "Give me the details," instead of the slangier, "Gimme the deets," when interacting with a voice assistant.

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Even though artificial intelligence is making machine speech more natural, voice assistants do not always accurately interpret the exact meaning of our commands. As a result, people tend to adopt more mechanical, concise speech patterns to communicate more efficiently with these devices.

For example, someone might say, "Add milk to the shopping list," instead of a longer phrasing like, "Can you remind me to buy milk later?"

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Voice assistants typically use a neutral tone, without regional accents. As a result, people with strong accents or regional dialects may adjust their speech toward more "standard" English to be understood.

This can involve modifying pronunciation or vocabulary—for example, saying "elevator" instead of "lift" in certain regions.

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In line with some of the previous situations, the simplification of commands encourages the removal of hedges and conversational words in favor of more precise, direct questions.

For example, instead of saying, "Do you know how tall Mount Everest is?" someone might simply ask, "How tall is Mount Everest?"

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People have learned to anticipate how machines interpret language and adjust in real time, demonstrating a growing linguistic adaptability fostered by our interactions with voice assistants.

For example, someone might start by saying, "Call Sam," but then change it to, "Call Samantha, mobile," when they realize the assistant may not understand the initial command.

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While casual conversations with humans often rely on pronouns and shared context, voice assistants require more explicit information. Users tend to over-specify to compensate for the assistant’s limited contextual memory.

For example, someone might say, "Send message to John: I’ll be late," instead of the more natural, "Tell him I’m running late."