Definitions Flashcards
(362 cards)
an amount included in a construction budget, normally 5 to 10 percent, to provie for unforeseen or unpredictable costs
contigency allowance
the maximum flood level with a 1% probability of occurring within a given year
100 year flood
a buttressing or supporting structure
abutment
building whose function is secondary to that of the main structure
Accessory building
the branch of physics that deals with sound. In architectural application, the sound qualities of a room or space.
acoustics
In an ancient Greek city, a citadel, usually on a high plateau
acropolis
tax based on the value of the property being taxed
ad Valorum Tax
a sun-dried brick of earth, used in the American Southwest
adobe
The branch of philosophy that deals with the quality, aspects, and perception of beauty
Aesthetics
commits buyer to perform specific duty in the future.
affirmative covenant
the legal concept that one person, the agent, acts on behalf of another, the principal, in dealing with another, the third party. (architect = agent; client = principal; and contractor = 3rd party)
Agency
the rights to the use or control of space above a property, such as highways, railroad tracks, or buildings
Air rights
reflectivity measured as the relative permeability of a surface to radiant energy flowing in either direction
Albedo
horizontal or vertical deviation from the straight or level centerline of the road.
alignment
determined by use group and type of construction. may be increased if fire-suppression system or adequate street frontage is provided. bylaws also restrict building height.
allowable building height
desireable features of or near a building that increases the property’s value
Amenities
payment of a loan over the life of the loan using equal payments at equal intervals. Each payment provides for a portion to be applied to the principal and the remainder to be applied to the interest.
Amortization
an arena encircled by tiers of seats
amphitheater
a major tenant in shopping mall such as department store that in theory serves to attract shoppers to the mall to benefit other smaller stores
Anchor tenant
an electromagnetc device that indicates the activation of cetain circuits; a device to signal the existence and location of a fire in a building.
Annunciator
giving human characteristics to nonhuman things
anthropomorphism
estimation of a property’s value made by a qualified appraiser
Appraisal
the eastern or altar end of a church, usually semi-circular in plan.
Apse
a natural, underground reservoir form which wells draw water
Aquifer