Building Design

Parts of the Building

PREPARED BY: ENGR. ALBERT PESTAO
TYPES OF ROOFS
TYPES OF TRUSSES
Definition of Terms
Site The geographic location of a construction project usually defined by legal
boundaries.
Sitework work done on site in preparation for a construction project, as excavation,
grading, shoring, backfilling, concreting, etc.
Property line One of the legally defined and recorded boundaries of a parcel of land.
Also called a lot line.
Easement A legal right by specified persons or public to make limited use of land of
another, as right of way.
Encroachment the unauthorized extension of a building, or part thereof, on the
property or domain of another.
Setback-the minimum required distance from every structure to the property lines of a
lot, established by the zoning ordinance to provide for air, light, solar access, and privacy.
Crawl space - A low or narrow space, such as one beneath the upper or lower story of a
building, that gives workers access to plumbing or wiring equipment.
Attic - any habitable space contained wholly within a roof pitched at not more than 36
degrees above the ceiling line of the storey immediately below, except for minor elements
such as dormer windows and the like.
Balcony means a small outdoor area, raised above the ground, directly accessible from
within the building and open except for a balustrade on at least one side.
Finished floor level (FFL) means the level of the upper surface of the relevant floor.
Finished ground level (FGL) means the ground level after completion of all excavation
and earthworks.
Definition of Terms
Habitable room means any room within a dwelling used or adapted to be used for the
purpose of living, sleeping, or the eating or cooking of food and includes lounge rooms, family
rooms, dining rooms, rumpus rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, but does not include
bathrooms, laundries, garages, or garden sheds.
Height of building means the vertical distance between natural ground level to the highest
point or points of the building.
Waterway means the drainage corridors, comprising natural streams, open drains and
floodways, dedicated for the primary purpose of drainage of urban areas.
Roofing - is the covering on the uppermost part of a building. A roof protects the building
and its contents from the effects of weather and the invasion of animals.
Eaves - is the edge of a roof. They normally project beyond the side of the building so they
can carry rain water away.
Fascia board - band running horizontally and situated vertically under a roof edge
Flashing construction material used to prevent passage of water around objects.
Roof Gutter - a narrow trough or duct which collects rainwater from the roof of a building
and diverts it away from the structure, typically into a drain.
Street gutter - a depression which runs alongside a city street, usually at the curb and
diverts rain and street-cleaning water away from the street and into a storm drain.
Roof Insulation material used to prevent heat coming from the roof towards the room or
ceiling below it.
Ridge the topmost part or covering of the roof, used to prevent passage of rainwater.
Downspout the pipe that collects rainwater coming from the roof towards the drain.
Wainscoting also known as wall paneling, is the inner wood covering of a wall.
Gazebo - is a pavilion structure, sometimes octagonal or turret-shaped, often built in a park,
garden or spacious public area.
Definition of Terms
Baseboard also called skirting board, skirting, mopboard, floor molding, as well as base
molding)

is a (generally wooden) board covering the lowest part of an interior wall. Its
purpose is to cover the joint between the wall surface and the floor.
Cornice any horizontal decorative moulding that crown the building, can be found over a
door or window, or in between a wall and a ceiling.
Door Jamb/Door Post - is the vertical portion of the frame onto which a door is secured.
Door Casing is an architectural design attached to the face of the door jamb. Also known
as door trim.
Door Header - is a support which is built in above a door, and it may be known simply as a
header. Windows also have headers.
Window Sill the lowest part of the window.
Soffit the underside of a ceiling, beam, slab, arch or eaves.
Ceiling Joists - are a number of horizontal beams, running parallel from one wall to the
opposite wall of the structure. The ceiling joist also support a flat roof, as well as the ceiling.
Floor Joists are a number of horizontal beams, running parallel from wall to wall and
support the floor of the structure.
Bridging cross bracing used between joists to stabilize them.
Studs a vertical member in the wall frame where the wall is attached to it.
Stairwell a vertical shaft in a building where the stair is built.
Dormer - is a structural element of a building that protrudes from the plane of
a sloping roof surface.

wainscoting