Glossary of Architectural and Building Terminology - I

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Impasto - In mural painting, impasto refers to the application of paint in a thick layer.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Impost - An impost is the top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests. The impost is called continuous, if the mouldings of the arch or architrave run down the jamb or pier without a break.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Incrustate - An incrustate is a covering or inlaying of marble, mosaic, etc., attached to the masonry by cramp irons or cement.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Inflected-Arch - An inflected-arch is an arch the curve of whose flanks is reversed near the crown, so as to terminate in an acute angle.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Inner Plate - An inner plate is the wall plate which lies nearest to the centre of the roof, in a double- plated roof.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Inside Finish - Inside finish is a general term for the final work in any building necessary for its completion, but other than the unusual decoration; thus, in joiner work, the doors and windows, inside shutters, door and window trimmings, panelled jams, baseboards, and sometimes flooring and stairs; in plaster work, the finishing coat, the cornices, centre-pieces, etc.; in painting, all simple painting of woodwork and plastering.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Intercolumniation - The intercolumniation is the clear space between two columns, measured at the bottom of their shafts. It is customary to measure the intercolumniation in terms of the diameter of the shaft, taken also at the bottom. Different words, derived from the Greek, are in use to denote certain common proportions.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Interlacing Arches - Interlacing arches are arches, usually circular, so constructed that their archivolts intersect and seem to be interlaced.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Interpenetrating Moulding - In late Gothic architecture, an interpenetrating moulding is a decoration by means of mouldings which seem to pass through solid uprights, transoms, or other members. They are often two sets of architectural members penetrating one another, in appearance, as if both had been plastic when they were put together.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

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Intrados - An intrados is the interior curve of an arch. The term is especially applied to the inner or lower curved face of the whole body of voussoirs taken together.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Inverted Arch - An inverted arch is an arch placed with the crown downward. They are much used in foundations.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Ionic - The term Ionic refers to a structure or style pertaining to the Ionic order of architecture, which is one of the three orders invented by the Greeks, and one of the five recognized by the Italian writers of the sixteenth century. Its distinguishing feature is a capital with spiral volutes.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.