Design and planning terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circulation | How people move through a building: corridors, stairs, lifts, ramps |
| Zoning | Grouping spaces by use, such as public, semi-public and private, or wet and dry |
| Hierarchy | Making some spaces or elements more important than others through size, position or detail |
| Massing | The overall 3D volume and arrangement of blocks before detail |
| Datum | A line, plane or volume that organises other elements around it |
| Axis | A line that organises a composition; often symmetrical |
| Rhythm | Repetition of elements such as columns or windows at regular or varied intervals |
| Proportion | The relation of parts to each other and to the whole |
| Scale | Size of a building or element relative to the human body or its surroundings |
| Threshold | The transition from one space to another, such as an entrance |
| Courtyard | An open space enclosed by building on most sides |
| Bubble diagram | Early diagram showing spaces as circles and their adjacencies |
| Programme | The list of spaces and their areas required by the brief |
| Typology | A building type such as housing, school or hospital |
| Genius loci | The spirit or particular character of a place |
Building and construction terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Plinth | The part of the building between ground and ground floor level |
| Foundation / footing | The part that transfers loads to the soil |
| Column and beam | Vertical and horizontal structural members of a frame |
| Slab | Flat horizontal structural element forming floors and roofs |
| Lintel | Beam over a door or window opening |
| Sill | Bottom edge of a window opening, usually 750–900 mm above floor |
| Cantilever | A beam or slab supported at one end only |
| Parapet | Low wall at the edge of a roof or terrace |
| Chajja | Small sunshade projection over a window |
| Fenestration | Arrangement of windows and openings on a facade |
| Riser and tread | Vertical and horizontal parts of a step |
| Mumty | Staircase headroom structure on the terrace |
| Shear wall | Wall that resists sideways forces such as earthquakes and wind |
| Expansion joint | Gap that lets parts of a building move with temperature |
| Damp proof course (DPC) | Layer that stops ground moisture rising into walls |
Bye-law and area terms (India)
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FSI / FAR | Floor Space Index: total built-up area allowed divided by plot area |
| Ground coverage | Percentage of the plot covered by the building footprint |
| Setback / margin | Minimum open distance between the building and the plot boundary |
| Carpet area | Usable floor area inside the walls of a unit |
| Built-up area | Carpet area plus wall thickness and balconies, depending on the rule |
| Super built-up area | Built-up area plus a share of common areas |
| Plot area | Total land area within the boundary |
| TDR | Transferable Development Rights: extra FSI bought or earned for use on another plot |
| UDCPR | Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations used in Maharashtra |
| NBC | National Building Code of India: fire, structure, services and accessibility standards |
Presentation and representation terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Plan, section, elevation | Horizontal cut, vertical cut and outside view; see types of architectural drawings |
| Axonometric / isometric | 3D drawing with parallel lines and no vanishing point |
| Perspective | 3D view with vanishing points, as the eye sees |
| Exploded view | Parts drawn pulled apart to show assembly |
| Render | Photorealistic image made with software such as Lumion or V-Ray |
| Entourage | People, trees and cars added to drawings for scale and life |
| Poché | Solid fill of cut walls to make the plan read clearly |
| Sciagraphy | Study and drawing of shadows on buildings |
| Mood board | Collage of images, materials and colours that sets the design direction |
| Case study | Analysis of an existing building of the same type to learn from it |
Sustainability terms
- Passive design: using orientation, shading, ventilation and mass instead of machines for comfort
- Stack effect: warm air rising and leaving at the top, drawing cool air in below
- Thermal mass: heavy materials that store heat and release it slowly
- Daylight factor: indoor daylight as a percentage of outdoor light
- GRIHA / IGBC: Indian green building rating systems
- Embodied carbon: emissions from making and transporting materials
FAQs
What is FSI in architecture?
FSI (Floor Space Index), also called FAR, is the total floor area you are allowed to build divided by the plot area. An FSI of 1.5 on a 1,000 sq m plot allows 1,500 sq m of built-up area, within the setback and height rules.
What is the difference between carpet area and built-up area?
Carpet area is the usable floor area inside the walls. Built-up area adds the thickness of the walls and, depending on the rule, balconies. Super built-up area also adds a share of common areas such as lobbies and stairs.
What does circulation mean in architecture?
Circulation is how people move through and around a building: entrances, corridors, stairs, lifts and ramps. Jurors check that it is clear, efficient and separates different users where needed.
Where can I learn more architecture basics?
Read our guides on <a href="/architectural-drawings">architectural drawings</a>, <a href="/architecture-sheet-composition">sheet composition</a> and <a href="/architecture-jury-questions">jury questions</a>, or ask us for a one-to-one session.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-26. Always follow the format your own department gives you.