Glossary
Architecture comes with its own language. This glossary is to help you make sense of it—so you can move through every step of design and construction with clarity and confidence.
Words matter. So we make them clear.
Glossary
A
Addition is adding new space to an existing building, like building a new room or extending the house. This expands the home’s size and can be a way to accommodate growing needs, like adding a new bedroom, bathroom, or home office.
Architect is a licensed professional responsible for the overall design, planning, and construction of buildings. Architects focus on both the aesthetic and technical aspects of a project, ensuring that the design is safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They also navigate building codes and regulations.
Architectural Plans are detailed drawings or blueprints that show how a building will be designed and constructed. These plans include floor plans, elevations, and sections.
As-Built refers to drawings that reflect the actual dimensions, layout, and features of a structure, such as an Existing Floor Plan, Section, or Elevation. These drawings offer an accurate representation of existing conditions and systems, making them the best starting point for remodeling or addition projects.
B
Beams are a horizontal load-bearing building material that supports loads from above, such as the weight of floors, roofs, or walls. Beams can be made from wood, steel, or concrete and are critical to a building’s structural integrity.
In architectural and structural terms, Bearing refers to the point where a structure supports weight. It shows where beams or columns hold up the loads throughout a building. For example, the posts under a deck beam help hold up the deck, just like how columns or posts in your basement support the floor above.
Blueprints refer to a detailed drawing or plan for construction. The term "blueprints" is often used interchangeably with architectural plans, though it originally referred to a specific type of printing process.
Refer to 'Construction Documents' for more detail of what they typically contain.
Building Envelope refers to the outer shell of a building, which includes the walls, roof, windows, and doors. The building envelope plays a key role in energy efficiency, insulation, and overall environmental performance by controlling air, moisture, and heat flow into or out of the building.
C
C/L (Centerline) is a reference line used in architectural and construction drawings to establish the middle point of a structure or component or space. It is often used to define the alignment of walls, columns, or other features, ensuring symmetry and consistency throughout the design.
CADD (Computer-Aided Design & Drafting) is a software tool architects use to create detailed plans, drawings, and models of buildings or spaces. It helps in designing, adjusting, and visualizing a project before it’s built. CAD makes it easier to experiment with different layouts and designs efficiently.
CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) is the trade term for a concrete block. More specifically, it's a type of building block made from concrete, often used in the construction of walls and foundations.
Construction Details refer specialized drawings or diagrams that show specific parts of the building in greater detail. They include information about how elements like doors, windows, walls, and roofs are to be constructed or joined together. Construction details ensure that the builder knows how to execute complex parts of the design accurately.
Construction Documents are a set of detailed drawings that show how a building or renovation project will be built. These plans include everything from floor layouts to structural details, electrical systems, plumbing, and more. They serve as a guide for contractors, engineers, and tradespeople to construct the project according to the architect’s design and in compliance to building codes.
D
Damp Proofing is a method of preventing moisture from entering a building through walls, floors, or foundations, typically using membranes, coatings, or barriers, which inhibit water movement and protect the structure from the damaging effects of dampness and rising condensation in buildings.
A Door Schedule is a list that outlines all the doors in a building project. It includes details like the door type, dimensions, materials, hardware, and location. It ensures that the correct doors are used and installed in the right place.
Drafting is the process of creating detailed, technical drawings that outline your home’s design, overall scope and dimensions as well as construction methods and specifications.
E
Eaves is another word for 'roof overhang' -- and it is the lowest edges of a roof that project beyond the walls of the building. Eaves serve to protect the walls from rainwater by directing it away from the home and they provide space for gutters to catch and redirect water (away) from the home so it doesn't create damage.
Egress in building code regulations refers to a safe and accessible exit or pathway, such as doors, windows, or stairways, that allows occupants to leave a building during an emergency and enables emergency personnel to enter. Always check with local codes & amendments for specific requirements
An Elevation of a home's exterior is a flat view of a building’s exterior, showing the front, side, or rear facade (face of the building). Elevations give insight into the design’s appearance and scale.
Example: If the front of your home faces northward, it is then the 'North Elevation'
An Interior Elevation is a drawing that shows a flat view of the interior walls of a room or space, often detailing features like cabinetry, windows, doors, and other design elements. Unlike a floor plan, an interior elevation focuses on the vertical dimensions and surface finishes of the walls.
In a survey, Elevation refers to the vertical distance of a point on the land's surface above or below a reference level, usually sea level.
F
A facade is any exterior face of a building given special architectural treatment, and gives the building it's character and style.
A feasibility study is the first step in ensuring your property is ready for the project and that your design will work within the legal, environmental, and physical constraints of the site.
Here's what we looking into in a feasibility study: Zoning & Location Regulations, Property Boundaries and Land Survey, Site Analysis with Google Earth & Images, Soils Report for Structural Planning.
Finished Space refers to areas of a home that have been completely finished with completed floors, walls, ceilings, and all necessary fixtures like lights, electrical outlets, and are within the heating/cooling systems of the house.
A floor plan is a drawing that shows the layout of a building’s rooms, spaces, doors, and windows from a top-down perspective. It helps visualize the interior flow of the space.
G
A Gazebo is a small, open-sided structure usually found in gardens or yards, often with a roof, that provides a shaded area for relaxation or outdoor gatherings. It’s a great spot to enjoy nature or entertain guests.
Glazing refers to the process of installing glass into window frames or doors, as well as the glass itself. Glazing can also refer to the type of glass used, such as single, double, or triple glazing, which impacts energy efficiency, insulation, and soundproofing. Double-glazed windows, for example, feature two panes of glass with an insulating gap between them.
Grading refers to the process of leveling or sloping the ground on a building site to prepare for construction. Grading ensures proper drainage, helps prevent water accumulation, and provides a stable foundation for the structure. It may involve adding or removing soil to achieve the desired slope.
A Guardrail is a protective barrier typically installed along the edge of a staircase, balcony, or other elevated surfaces. Guardrails are designed to prevent falls and enhance safety.
For example, guardrails must be at least 42 inches in height (with exceptions; Always consult the local building codes in your area.) Guardrails must withstand a 200-pound concentrated load applied in any direction.
H
A Handrail is a rail installed along the side of stairs, ramps, or hallways to provide support and stability when walking. Handrails are often used in conjunction with guardrails but are typically lower and designed for hand gripping. handrails must be located between 34 inches and 38 inches above the surface. Always consult the local building codes in your area.
Hardscape refers to the non-living elements of landscaping, such as patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, or any other man-made features in a yard. Hardscaping helps define outdoor spaces and, when planned well, can create a seamless flow between your home's interior and exterior, using materials like stone, brick, concrete, or other man-made options to achieve both visual synergy and a functional complement to the overall design.
Heated Sqaure Footage refers to areas of a home that are heated or cooled by the HVAC system. This includes all spaces that are temperature-controlled year-round, like bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens, but excludes unheated areas like garages, attics, or uninsulated rooms.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. These systems control the temperature, humidity, and air quality within a building.
I
An Interior Elevation is a drawing that shows a flat view of the interior walls of a room or space, often detailing features like cabinetry, windows, doors, and other design elements. Unlike a floor plan, an interior elevation focuses on the vertical dimensions and surface finishes of the walls.
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L
Landscaping refers to the design and arrangement of outdoor functional areas, retreat zones, plants, trees, lawns, and hardscape features. Landscaping not only enhances the beauty and functionality of your yard but also considers important elements like drainage, sun exposure, and privacy while ensuring that the integration of your home’s design is extended to the areas surrounding it.
A LH Door (Left-Hand Swing) is a door swing direction where the door hinges are on the left side, and the door opens toward the left when viewed from the outside. Or, another way to think of it is this: a door that swings open to the left when standing with your back to the hinges.
An LSP, or Land Survey Plat, is a detailed map that represents a specific parcel of land that shows the exact boundaries and dimensions of the property, easements or rights of way affecting the land, existing structures, roads, and other improvements on the property, topographical details, showing elevation changes and natural features, a legal description of the property for official records, name and license number of the surveyor, how the land is subdivided into lots, if applicable, and zoning classifications and restrictions.
M
Moisture Proofing is the practice of protecting a building or material from moisture infiltration, which can lead to mold, rot, or other damage. While similar to waterproofing, moisture proofing is more focused on preventing condensation or water vapor from penetrating materials, such as in areas like basements or bathrooms.
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O
Ready to sit at the bar, shake up a cocktail, or grill that perfect steak (and clean up) all in your Outdoor Kitchen? Move to the outdoors with a seamless extension of your indoor kitchen—think appliances like a grill, sink, and fridge, all paired with plenty of counter space for ultimate flow and functionality.
Overhang is another word for 'eaves' and it is the lowest edges of a roof that project beyond the walls of the building. Overhangs serve to protect the walls from rainwater by directing it away from the home and they provide space for gutters to catch and redirect water (away) from the home so it doesn't create damage.
P
A Passive Home is a home designed with a rigorous standard for energy-efficient building design that minimizes energy use for heating and cooling. Passive houses use high levels of insulation, airtight construction, and passive solar heating to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round with minimal energy consumption.
A Pergola is a freestanding outdoor structure with an open roof, typically made of wood or metal, that provides partial shade and creates a stylish outdoor living area. It's perfect for dining, lounging, or growing climbing plants.
Perimeter Foundation Drainage is a drainage system installed around the perimeter of a building’s foundation to direct water away from the structure. This is often done using perforated pipes, gravel, and drainage membranes to prevent water buildup against the foundation, which could lead to leaks or structural damage.
Permit Plans are a set of construction drawings submitted to local authorities to obtain approval for a building project. These plans generally only include the essential details required to meet building codes and safety regulations, such as architectural, structural, plumbing, HVAC and electrical information. While permit plans focus on the basics needed for approval, they typically don’t include final design details like finishes, lighting layouts, or specific materials—those could be finalized on-site during construction.
PIP (Poured in Place) Concrete is a method of concrete construction where concrete is poured into molds or forms directly on the job site. This technique is commonly used for foundations, floors, and walls, offering flexibility in design and the ability to create custom shapes or thicknesses.
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R
Rafters are structural elements that form the framework of a roof, supports the weight of the roof and it's covering (plywood, shingles, etc) and helps spread the weight of the roof to the walls or beams underneath.. Rafters are typically made of wood, steel, or other materials and run from the ridge (top) of the roof to the eaves (edges).
A Railing is a vertical barrier or enclosure, usually made of metal, wood, or other materials, designed to prevent access to dangerous areas or provide safety along stairs, balconies, or porches. Railings can include both guardrails and handrails.
A Remodel is updating or changing an existing space to improve its function or appearance. This could include changing the layout, replacing materials, or upgrading features, but typically it involves altering the existing structure rather than building new additions.
Renovation is the process of restoring or updating a space to bring it up to date, often improving aesthetics, functionality, and safety. Renovations can involve anything from a fresh coat of paint to a complete overhaul of a room or building, but the goal is to make the space more modern or better suited to your needs.
A RH Door (Right-Hand Swing) is a door swing direction where the door hinges are on the right side, and the door opens toward the right when viewed from the outside. Or, another way to think of it is this: a door that swings open to the right when standing with your back to the hinges.
Rough-in refers to the stage during construction when basic systems (plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC) are installed but not yet finished. This phase prepares the building for final installation of fixtures.
S
Site refers to the land where a home is being built or where work is being done on an existing property. It includes the natural and built features of the land, like topography, vegetation, wind direction, water access or flood zones, views, and weather-dominant impact areas.
A Soffit refers to the underside of an architectural feature, such as a roof overhang or a balcony. Soffits are typically ventilated to allow for airflow, which helps prevent moisture buildup and maintain proper ventilation.
A soils report is a detailed study of the soil on your property, conducted by a geotechnical engineer. It helps determine the type of soil, its stability, and how it will support the weight of your home. This report is important for designing a safe foundation and ensuring your home is built on solid ground. It also identifies any potential issues, like moisture levels or unstable soil, that might affect construction. We can help you find a soils engineer to do the work you'll need. It's best to have the soils engineering on site after the schematic plans have been created and approved so their drilling (borings) can be placed in the anticipated construction area(s) and general vicinity, for best effectiveness.
Space Planning is the process of organizing and arranging spaces within a building to make sure they are functional, efficient, and meet the needs of the people who will use them. This includes deciding where rooms, furniture, and pathways will be located, and how to make the most out of any and all available space. It’s all about creating a layout that works for daily activities while also feeling spatially comfortable and effectively functional within a home.
While the plans give you the blueprints, the specifications, are like a list of instructions for building your home. They spell out the how—detailing everything from materials and construction methods to expected standards for finishes and fixtures.
Square Footage refers to the total area of a space, measured in square feet. It tells you how much room is inside a building or room. For example, if a room is 10 feet long and 10 feet wide, it has 100 square feet of space.
STC (Sound Transmission Class) refers to a rating system used to measure the ability of a building element (such as a wall, window, floor, or ceiling) to block sound transmission. A higher STC rating indicates better soundproofing. For example, walls with higher STC ratings are used to reduce noise between rooms or units, providing more privacy and a quieter environment.
Structural refers to the parts of construction that support and bear weight, ensuring the stability and safety of an entire building. This includes elements like walls, beams, columns, and foundations that hold up the roof, floors, and other loads.
A survey, performed by a licensed surveyor, gives us precise information about the size of your lot, the location of property lines, and any easements or restricted areas where building is not allowed. This is essential for creating accurate building plans as it helps ensure that your project stays within legal boundaries and complies with local regulations. We can help you find an available surveyor and the document you're looking for, generally, is called an 'LSP' (refer to glossary).
T
Tradespeople are skilled workers who specialize in a particular area of construction, craft or building performance. This includes electricians, plumbers, hvac technicians, framers, masons, painters, and other professionals who perform the hands-on work necessary to complete a building project.
A Trellis is a framework of crossed wooden or metal bars, often used to support climbing plants like vines or flowers. It can add a decorative element to your yard while helping plants grow vertically, saving space and adding greenery.
Topography refers to the arrangement of the natural and artificial features of a plot of land, including its contours, slopes, elevations, and landmarks. Topographic maps are often used by architects and builders to understand the land's characteristics, which influence the building's design, foundation, and layout.
U
Unfinished Space refers to areas within a building that are not yet completed or fully functional. This could include basements, attics, or rooms that need to be renovated or built out. These spaces may not have finished flooring, walls, or ceilings and are often considered for future improvements.
Unheated Square Footage includes spaces like garages, attics, and certain basements or storage areas that are typically not climate-controlled.
V
Value Engineering is a thoughtful approach to design and construction that helps maximize the value of your home by finding smart ways to save on cost without sacrificing quality, function, or beauty.
At LANDS DESIGN, value engineering means asking the right questions early—so your budget supports what matters most to you. It's not about cutting corners; it's about making informed, intentional choices that protect your vision and enhance long-term satisfaction.
Virtual Walkthrough is a digital simulation that lets you virtually explore a space before it’s built, offering a realistic sense of how the design will look and feel. More advanced than typical drafting or two-dimensional architectural plans, 3D VR, in the right hands like ours, integrates the floor plan with the intended structure while designing with flow, space adjacencies, daylighting, furniture layouts, light fixtures, colors, textures, and functional elements like cabinetry and built-ins—all to scale and kept in mind in the walkthrough. It’s like creating your home or remodel integration all at once, before a hammer is picked up or a permit is requested, giving you the confidence that every detail or request you’ve made has been understood and integrated well while also informing your builder and tradespeople of your expectations down to sizes of the cars and SUVs in the garages in a clever and informed format additional to the construction drawings.
W
A Wall Section is a drawing that shows a vertical slice through a wall, providing a detailed look at its construction. It illustrates how materials like framing, insulation, and finishes are layered, as well as the dimensions and structural elements of the wall. Wall sections help builders understand how to assemble the wall properly.
Waterproofing is the process of making a building or specific materials resistant to water infiltration. Waterproofing is often applied to foundations, roofs, and exterior walls to prevent water damage and mold growth. Techniques include the use of membranes, coatings, or sealants to create a barrier against water.
A Wet Room is bathroom or shower area designed with a fully waterproof floor and walls, often with no shower enclosure. The entire space is typically sloped toward a drain to allow water to flow out, creating a seamless, accessible design.
A Window Schedule is a detailed list or chart that specifies the types, sizes, and locations of all the windows in a building. It also includes other important information like the materials, finishes, and any special features for each window. A window schedule helps contractors know exactly what windows to order and install.
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Z
Zoning and Local Regulations govern what can be built on your property. This includes things like building height, setbacks, lot coverage, and solar ordinances that might influence how your home can be positioned or sized. Each neighborhood has its own rules, and we’ll make sure your project complies with them from the get-go.