Chimney. I highly doubt many of you are using today’s Building Language term – the chimney – in the midst of our July heat. Although buildings old and new feature chimneys, there’s still plenty to explore about something as simple as a chimney. A chimney is a masonry structure, hollow to allow the exit for smoke and fumes for fires, cooking, or heating units. Chimneys can feature wood with clay, stone, or brick construction. A chimney can be placed in the center of the structure, with only part of the chimneystack visible rising from the roofline. Chimneys that rise from a roof can either be placed on the end, along the ridge of the roof, or in the center of the roof slope. Other chimneys are placed alongside the building, with visible features from the foundation. A residence or structure might feature multiple chimneys, as older homes are more likely to have multiple chimneys as having multiple fireplaces was a necessity to heat multiple spaces. As a practical addition to any building design, every type of architectural style and building type, including residential, commercial, and industrial, has featured chimneys in some manner.

I have found several buildings that highlight the different placements and designs of chimneys throughout Indianapolis.

Chimneys on Marian University Student Center


This tall chimney rises out of the roof slope on the historic Marian University Student Center.

Chimneys on the Propylaeum, 1410 North Delaware Street


The Propylaeum (1410 North Delaware Street) features multiple chimneys on the ridge of the roof and along the end of the roof. The Propylaeum’s chimneys also feature unique brickwork.

Chimneys on 1413 North Delaware Street


This house at 1413 North Delaware Street features three chimneys attached to the side of the building, visible from the foundation to above the roofline. Additionally, these chimneys use rusticated stonework on the first floor to contrast the brick walls on the first floor.

Add it to your vocabulary – how might one use today’s Building Language term in their everyday life?

Until we restored the brick on our chimney, we were concerned brick or mortar could fall from the roof.