• Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Festoon

    Festoon on 1400 Block of Broadway Street Festoon. Recently, I covered the term ornament as it pertains generally to historic architecture. Today’s Building Language is a specific type of architectural ornament that is certainly fun to...

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  • Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Ornament

    Ornament. I’ve realized I’ve thrown this architectural term around with some frequency without really analyzing what it means to the historic architecture of Indianapolis. Ornament is a broad term that applies to architectural detail that...

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  • Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Beaux Arts

    Beaux Arts. Several notable Indianapolis structures feature the architectural style of the Beaux Arts. Beaux Arts (French for “Fine Arts”) traces its roots from the École des Beaux-Arts, a school of architecture in France. Several...

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  • Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Egg-and-dart

    Egg-and-dart. This week’s Building Language term explores the extensive terminology associated with classical architecture. Egg-and-dart is a form of ornament standard in classical inspired architecture, including the vastly popular Beaux Arts and Classical Revival styles...

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  • Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Art Deco

    The Circle Tower, 5 East Market St, Art Deco Ornament at Entrance Art Deco. There’s something about the Art Deco style you have to love – I’ve always been drawn to the modern elements of the...

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  • Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Finial

    Finial. Standing on top of the apex of a roof or spire is the piece of architectural ornament known as a finial. As a reminder, a spire is a tall, pyramidal structure that rises above...

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  • Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Bargeboard

    314 North Park Avenue in Lockerbie Square with Two Bargeboards on Main Roof Bargeboard. Bargeboard is the term used for the elaborately decorated, often carved, wood boards attached along the edges of a gabled roof....

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