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Architecture Terms Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Architecture Terms Quizzes, Trivia

Architecture Terms Trivia

Architecture Terms Trivia Quizzes

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What is a baluster? Fluting? The answers to these questions and many more are found here!
6 Architecture Terms quizzes and 60 Architecture Terms trivia questions.
1.
Architecture ABCs 2
  Architecture ABC's 2 editor best quiz   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
This quiz is a continuation of my "Architecture ABC's" series, and will feature letters K-T. See what you know about terms used in architecture!
Easier, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Feb 19 24
Easier
ponycargirl editor
Feb 19 24
343 plays
2.
  Architecture for Everybody   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some people find the subject of architecture rather esoteric. This quiz solves that problem by presenting some of the very basic terms and definitions important to architects. Good luck!
Easier, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Aug 29 16
Easier
thejazzkickazz gold member
8249 plays
3.
Architecture ABCs
  Architecture ABC's   top quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Do you know your architectural terms? See what you can do with this array of words from A-J!
Easier, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Aug 29 16
Easier
ponycargirl editor
668 plays
4.
Bits and Pieces of Architecture
  Bits and Pieces of Architecture!   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Architecture is a complex science with many different facades. Here is a mix of questions about buildings and the bits and pieces that go into making them.
Easier, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Sep 23 17
Easier
dcpddc478
Sep 23 17
781 plays
5.
  Architectural Terms   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ten architectural terms for you. How many do you know?
Average, 10 Qns, Creedy, Aug 04 20
Average
Creedy gold member
Aug 04 20
608 plays
6.
  Architectural Terminology   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you know your architectural terminology?
Tough, 10 Qns, Zap_Rowsdower, Aug 29 16
Tough
Zap_Rowsdower
2656 plays

Architecture Terms Trivia Questions

1. In architectural terms, what is an apron?

From Quiz
Architectural Terms

Answer: Concrete slab outside any much used entrance

The idea of this slab is to save wear and tear on the entrances to building grounds or passages where there is a lot of use by vehicle traffic, particularly that of turning. It saves damage being done to what is usually asphalt ground covering in those areas.

2. What is an arris?

From Quiz Architectural Terms

Answer: The sharp terminating edge where two curved surfaces meet

An arris is formed wherever two curved surfaces meet in such a way as to form a sharp angle where they intersect - as opposed to any two flat surfaces meeting and being joined up. An example of this can be seen in any archway, where there is a combination of several surfaces joining to form the arch.

3. What is a volute?

From Quiz Architectural Terminology

Answer: an ornamental feature shaped like a spiraled scroll

Volutes are a fundamental feature of the Ionic order and resemble a rolled-up scroll or a ram's horns. They are found on the capitals of Ionic and Corinthian columns.

4. A person who involves himself in the practice of constructing buildings, houses, etc. is called an architect. The word architect originally comes from the Greek. What does the Greek term literally mean?

From Quiz Architecture for Everybody

Answer: Chief builder

The original Greek term is 'arkhitekten', or, literally 'master builder'. Some 'master builders' of ancient Greece include Ictinus and Callicrates, who built the Parthenon, and Charos of Lindos, who built the colossus of Rhodes.

5. What is an ashlar?

From Quiz Architectural Terms

Answer: A large even block of masonry with square edges

Something nice and simple for a change, with the hardest thing to remember being its name. One is inclined to wonder however why they're not called square blocks. An example of an ashlar can be seen in each individual block of masonry - an ashlar - which has been placed evenly beside another ashlar, and on and on, until all those individual ashlars form an external wall of a stone castle or cathedral.

6. 'Cantilever', 'suspension', and 'swing' are all types of what common architectural construct?

From Quiz Architecture for Everybody

Answer: Bridge

There are many types of bridges, all used for different purposes. A swing bridge can literally be swung around to allow ships to pass through. A suspension bridge, for example the Golden Gate Bridge, requires a great many cables to maintain its structure. Suspension bridges are typically high enough for ships to pass under. A cantilever is a projecting beam that is only supported at one end (a diving board is a crude example.) The Queensboro Bridge in New York is one example of a cantilever bridge.

7. What is the space inside a pediment called?

From Quiz Architectural Terminology

Answer: tympanum

The intrados, also called the soffit, is the concave underside of an arch. The spandrel is the triangular area between the curve of an arch and the rectangular frame which supports it. Atlantes are figures of men used as supporting columns; caryatids are their female counterpart.

8. What is a bargeboard?

From Quiz Architectural Terms

Answer: A board attached to gables projecting from a roof

The purpose of a bargeboard is not only to hide exposed joins of this feature, but also to give added strength and stability to the gables. Many of the bargeboards on early buildings featured beautiful carving work as well, so they enhanced the appearance of the gables even further.

9. Where would you find a metope?

From Quiz Architectural Terminology

Answer: on a Doric frieze

A metope is the space, either decorated or unadorned, in between triglyphs on a Doric frieze.

10. Ionic, Doric and Corinthian are all orders of what important structure, important for architects since ancient Greek times?

From Quiz Architecture for Everybody

Answer: Columns

Ionic, Doric and Corinthian are three of the five ancient orders of column that have come down to us from antiquity. The other two are Tuscan and Composite. The terms are named for periods of time and/or locations in Ancient Greece.

11. What is a bullseye window?

From Quiz Architectural Terms

Answer: A small oval window set horizontally in place

Bullseye windows can usually be seen on the upper floors of older buildings, where they are surrounded by lovely wood or stone work - or without the trimming, set above doors. Their utilitarian purpose is to allow more light to enter into darkened spaces, but because they add such a lovely touch to buildings, it is suspected that they came to be appreciated more for their visual appeal rather than their usefulness. A bullseye window is sometimes referred to as an ox-eye window.

12. What is a plinth?

From Quiz Architectural Terminology

Answer: a block on which a pedestal, column, or statue is placed

A post, often ornamental, at the bottom or at the landing of a staircase is called a newel-post. The horizontal beam over a door or window is called a lintel. A strip of wood or metal which separates and supports panes of glass in a window is called a muntin.

13. This architectural feature makes me nervous. What is a cantilever?

From Quiz Architectural Terms

Answer: A beam or external construction anchored at only one end

Minor examples of a cantilever are a flagpole jutting from the side of a building, or a diving board. On a larger scale, however, examples of cantilevers at work include some bridges without pylons, or the balcony on Frank Lloyd Wright's unique Fallingwater house, or those skywalks that jut out over sheer drops below, such as the one at the Grand Canyon. Cantilevers, they assure us, are perfectly safe, because the load they carry is forced back against the side of the building. Forced back against the side of the building is right where I'd be, believe me, physics or no physics.

14. Where would you find an abacus?

From Quiz Architectural Terminology

Answer: between the capital of a column and the architrave

An ornamented abacus adds a lot to the décor.

15. What is a coffer in architecture?

From Quiz Architectural Terms

Answer: A sunken panel in a wall or ceiling

Coffers are usually designed with a square, rectangular or octagonal shape, and are normally seen inset into the walls or ceilings of huge structures, allowing their display to be fully appreciated. They can be as plain or as beautifully carved as the designers wish. Their only disadvantage, from a very practical point of view, is that they can accumulate dust and provide a haven for spiders or nest-building birds.

16. This term came from the Latin, and refers to a space typically found below ground in a house or other architectural construct. To what am I referring?

From Quiz Architecture for Everybody

Answer: Cellar

Clearly, if you were in the attic in this question, you were in the wrong place! The attic of a building is found on the underside of its roof. A vestibule is a small chamber or hall to be found just inside the outer door of a building. If you are walking along the veranda, you will be able to smell the open air. It's an open platform, with a roof, to be found on the outside of a house. The word 'cellar' comes from the Latin for 'storehouse', and will always be found under the ground level of a house.

17. What is a dromos?

From Quiz Architectural Terms

Answer: An entrance passage or avenue leading to a large building

This architectural feature can also be seen leading up to large tombs as well. In very olden times, in beehive tombs, a dromos leading to such a place was often filled in until the next ceremonial burial occurred. On a much larger scale, particularly in Egyptian and Roman architecture, each dromos was flanked all along either side leading to its destination by various statues.

18. What is a voussoir?

From Quiz Architectural Terminology

Answer: a wedge-shaped block used in constructing an arch or vault

The central voussoir is called a keystone. Thanks for playing! I hope that you enjoyed the quiz. If you find any errors, please bring them to my attention.

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Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:50 AM
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