Glossary of Architecture - G

G

Gable

A triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof

Gablets

Triangular terminations to buttresses, much in use in the Early English and Decorated periods, after which the buttresses generally terminated in pinnacles. The Early English gablets are generally plain, and very sharp in pitch. In the Decorated period they are often enriched with paneling and crockets. They are sometimes finished with small crosses, but more often with finials.

Gadrooning

Carved or curved molding used in architecture and interior design as decorative motif, often consisting of flutes which are inverted and curved. Popular during the Italian Renaissance.

Gambrel

A symmetrical two-sided roof with two slopes on each side

Galletting (also Garretting)

The process in which the gallets or small splinters of stone are inserted in the joints of coarse masonry to protect the mortar joints. They are stuck in while the mortar is wet.

Gauged brickwork (also rubbed brickwork)

Brickwork constructed of soft bricks rubbed to achieve a fine smooth finish with narrow joints between courses.

Gazebo

A freestanding pavilion structure often found in parks, gardens and public areas

Geison

(Greek: γεῖσον - often interchangeable with cornice) the part of the entablature that projects outward from the top of the frieze in the Doric order and from the top of the frieze course of the Ionic and Corinthian orders; it forms the outer edge of the roof on the sides of a structure with a sloped roof.