Buildings
Buildings

Buildings provide us with basic human needs for shelter, security, privacy, storage, and work while also acting as universal carriers of art, culture, history, economics, and equity. Looking at a diverse range of techniques and building types that include residential, commercial, civic, educational, medical, industrial, agricultural, and infrastructural uses, these fundamental elements and principles make up the majority of our built environment.

The following guides have been created for you as a survey covering the various construction methods, systems, components, materials, logics, and standards that influence how buildings are constructed around the world. These resources will be constantly growing and expanding over time in an effort to further illustrate and document the many topics and issues related to buildings.

Doors are vital architectural elements that facilitate access, security, privacy, and insulation between spaces. Featuring a frame and a panel, doors come in various types such as swinging, sliding, pocket, revolving, Dutch, roll-up, and folding doors.

Interior Doors
Under Development
Interior DoorsInterior Doors
Exterior Doors
Under Development
Exterior Doors | Front DoorsExterior Doors | Front Doors
Sliding Doors
Under Development
Sliding DoorsSliding Doors
Folding Doors
Under Development
Folding Doors | Bifold DoorsFolding Doors | Bifold Doors
Overhead Doors
Under Development
Overhead Doors | Garage DoorsOverhead Doors | Garage Doors
Pocket Doors
Under Development
Pocket DoorsPocket Doors
Pivot Doors
Under Development
Pivot DoorsPivot Doors
Surface Mounted Doors
Under Development
Surface Mounted DoorsSurface Mounted Doors
Gates
Under Development
GatesGates
Revolving Doors
Under Development
Revolving DoorsRevolving Doors
Cellar Doors
Under Development
Cellar Doors | Bulkhead DoorsCellar Doors | Bulkhead Doors
Turnstiles
Under Development
TurnstilesTurnstiles
Door Handles - Lever
Under Development
Door Handles - LeverDoor Handles - Lever
Door Knobs
Under Development
Door KnobsDoor Knobs
Door Handles - Pull
Under Development
Door Pull HandlesDoor Pull Handles
Door Handles - Flush
Under Development
Flush Door HandlesFlush Door Handles
Door Entry Sets
Under Development
Door Entry Sets | Front Door HardwareDoor Entry Sets | Front Door Hardware
Door Hinges
Under Development
Door HingesDoor Hinges
Door Locks
Under Development
Door LocksDoor Locks
Door Latches
Under Development
Door LatchesDoor Latches
Door Stoppers
Under Development
Door Stoppers | DoorstopsDoor Stoppers | Doorstops
Door Knockers
Under Development
Door KnockersDoor Knockers
Door Bells
Under Development
Door Bells | DoorbellsDoor Bells | Doorbells

Windows are openings shaped with glass to allow for the entrance of light within a space as well as the opportunity for views. As part of a building, windows can be found in a wall, roof, or door and are often able to be open to provide air flow.

Double-Hung Windows
Under Development
Double-Hung WindowsDouble-Hung Windows
Single-Hung Windows
Under Development
Single-Hung WindowsSingle-Hung Windows
Casement Windows
Under Development
Casement WindowsCasement Windows
Sliding Windows
Under Development
Sliding WindowsSliding Windows
Fixed Windows
Under Development
Fixed Windows | Picture WindowsFixed Windows | Picture Windows
Bay & Bow Windows
Under Development
Bay & Bow WindowsBay & Bow Windows
Awning Windows
Under Development
Awning WindowsAwning Windows
Jalousie & Pivot Windows
Under Development
Jalousie & Pivot WindowsJalousie & Pivot Windows
Combination Windows
Under Development
Combination WindowsCombination Windows
Skylights
Under Development
Skylights | RooflightsSkylights | Rooflights
Window Wells
Under Development
Window WellsWindow Wells
Window Security Bars
Under Development
Window Security BarsWindow Security Bars
Window Handles
Under Development
Window HandlesWindow Handles
Window Locks & Latches
Under Development
Window Locks & LatchesWindow Locks & Latches
Window Operators
Under Development
Window OperatorsWindow Operators
Window Blinds
Under Development
Window Blinds & ShadesWindow Blinds & Shades
Window Shutters
Under Development
Window ShuttersWindow Shutters
Window Curtains
Under Development
Window Curtains & DrapesWindow Curtains & Drapes

Columns are vertical structural elements designed to support and transfer loads from a building's upper components to its foundation. They provide stability and strength while adding visual appeal to a structure. Columns can be made from varied materials, such as wood, stone, steel, or concrete.

Stone Columns
Under Development
Stone ColumnsStone Columns
Wood Columns
Under Development
Wood ColumnsWood Columns
Steel Columns
Under Development
Steel ColumnsSteel Columns
Concrete Columns
Under Development
Concrete ColumnsConcrete Columns
Arches
Under Development
ArchesArches

A wall is a vertical structure that encloses a space, defining an area of land. It can be either external or internal. As part of a building, walls carry loads and provide support to roofs, floors, and ceilings. Another purpose of walls are to ensure shelter, security, and soundproofing for users within a defined space.

Concrete Walls
Under Development
Concrete WallsConcrete Walls
Masonry Walls
Under Development
Masonry WallsMasonry Walls
Steel Walls
Under Development
Steel WallsSteel Walls
Wood Walls
Under Development
Wood WallsWood Walls
Retaining Walls
Under Development
Retaining WallsRetaining Walls
Fences
Under Development
Fences | Boundary WallsFences | Boundary Walls
Curtain Walls
Under Development
Curtain WallsCurtain Walls
Plywood Veneers
Under Development
Plywood VeneersPlywood Veneers
Siding & Cladding
Under Development
Siding & CladdingSiding & Cladding
Moulding & Trim
Under Development
Moulding & TrimMoulding & Trim

In construction, floors constitute the horizontal surfaces within a structure that are essential for accessibility, dividing spaces, and supporting occupants and objects. Floors are typically constructed using a combination of materials, such as concrete, timber, or steel.

Wood Floor Systems
Under Development
Wood Floor SystemsWood Floor Systems
Concrete Floor Systems
Under Development
Concrete Floor SystemsConcrete Floor Systems
Steel Floor Systems
Under Development
Steel Floor SystemsSteel Floor Systems
Building Foundations
Under Development
Building FoundationsBuilding Foundations

Roofs and ceilings define the upper boundaries of buildings, serving both protective and spatial roles. Roofs shield interiors from weather, offering shelter against sun, rain, snow, and wind, while also shaping a building’s silhouette. They can be flat, pitched, curved, or layered.

Roof Types
Under Development
Roof TypesRoof Types
Roofing
Under Development
RoofingRoofing

Spanning systems are the structural elements that allow buildings to stretch across open spaces, carrying loads safely from one side to another. They include beams, joists, trusses, and the connections that hold them together. These parts form the horizontal framework above rooms and below floors.

Wood Beams & Joists
Under Development
Wood Beams & JoistsWood Beams & Joists
Concrete Beams & Joists
Under Development
Concrete Beams & JoistsConcrete Beams & Joists
Steel Beams & Joists
Under Development
Steel Beams & JoistsSteel Beams & Joists
Trusses
Under Development
TrussesTrusses
Steel Connections
Under Development
Steel ConnectionsSteel Connections
Wood Joinery
Under Development
Wood Joinery & ConnectionsWood Joinery & Connections

Masonry is the art of building using individual units like bricks, stones, or concrete blocks, held together by mortar. These materials offer both aesthetic and structural benefits. Variations in masonry include brickwork, stonework, and blockwork, each with its unique visual appeal and strength.

Bricks
Under Development
BricksBricks
Concrete Masonry Units (CMU)
Under Development
Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) | Concrete BlocksConcrete Masonry Units (CMU) | Concrete Blocks
Tiles & Pavers
Under Development
Tiles & PaversTiles & Pavers
Stone Masonry
Under Development
Stone MasonryStone Masonry
Brick Bonds
Under Development
Brick BondsBrick Bonds

Stairs and vertical circulation describe the systems that allow people to move safely and efficiently between different levels of a building. More than just functional elements, they shape how people experience entry, transition, and flow through a space.

Stair Types
Under Development
Stair TypesStair Types
Stair Treads & Risers
Under Development
Stair Treads & RisersStair Treads & Risers
Handrails
Under Development
HandrailsHandrails
Balusters | Spindles
Under Development
Balusters | SpindlesBalusters | Spindles
Newels | Stair Posts
Under Development
Newels | Stair PostsNewels | Stair Posts
Escalators
Under Development
EscalatorsEscalators
Moving Walkways
Under Development
Moving Walkways | TravelatorsMoving Walkways | Travelators
Ramps
Under Development
RampsRamps
Elevators | Lifts
Under Development
Elevators | LiftsElevators | Lifts
Access Ladders
Under Development
Access LaddersAccess Ladders

Building Services refers to the hidden but essential systems that make buildings safe, comfortable, and usable. They include the air ducts that circulate fresh air, the HVAC systems that provide heating and cooling, the plumbing and pipe fittings that supply clean water, and the vents for airflow.

Accessory structures are small, freestanding buildings that serve specific, often secondary, functions. They can range from bus stops providing shelter for passengers, sheds offering storage, pavilions serving as gathering places, to temporary structures for events or construction.

Tents
Under Development
TentsTents
Platforms, Decks, & Porches
Under Development
Platforms, Decks, & PorchesPlatforms, Decks, & Porches

Site elements are the constructed features that shape the immediate surroundings of a building, guiding how people and vehicles move, enter, and interact with a property. They include curbs and edging that define boundaries, sidewalks and walkways that create safe pedestrian routes, and driveways.

Curbs & Edges
Under Development
Curbs & EdgesCurbs & Edges
Bollards & Barriers
Under Development
Bollards & BarriersBollards & Barriers
Speed Bumps
Under Development
Speed BumpsSpeed Bumps

Building Elements is a subcategory which illustrates key building topics needed for the design and understanding of specific elements of a building. This category contains illustrations which depict unique and commonly used features that building designers employ. These components include general dimensions and information on features such as joint connections, stair details, concrete floor systems, and tiles. The following collections have been organized to better understand and browse buildings by elements.

Doors
Under Development
DoorsDoors
Windows
Under Development
WindowsWindows
Columns
Under Development
ColumnsColumns
Walls
Under Development
WallsWalls
Floors
Under Development
FloorsFloors
Roofs & Ceilings
Under Development
Roofs & CeilingsRoofs & Ceilings
Spanning Systems
Under Development
Spanning SystemsSpanning Systems
Masonry
Under Development
MasonryMasonry
Stairs & Vertical Circulation
Under Development
Stairs & Vertical CirculationStairs & Vertical Circulation
Accessory Structures
Under Development
Accessory StructuresAccessory Structures
Site Elements
Under Development
Site ElementsSite Elements

Building Uses is a subcategory which organizes the different elements and trades related to buildings by the differences inherent in their programmatic functions. Buildings have different uses to meet the various needs of people and society. Different building uses often require different design and construction considerations, such as the need for specialized equipment or the need to accommodate large numbers of people.

Residential Buildings
Under Development
Residential BuildingsResidential Buildings
Commercial Buildings
Under Development
Commercial BuildingsCommercial Buildings
Industrial Buildings
Under Development
Industrial BuildingsIndustrial Buildings
Public Buildings
Under Development
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Building Interiors
Under Development
Building InteriorsBuilding Interiors
Building Exteriors
Under Development
Building ExteriorsBuilding Exteriors