Architecture Slang, Jargon, and New Words from Double-Tongued Dictionary

Architecture, housing, buildings, architects, blueprints, etc. You can also see entries assigned to this category.

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gazump v. It’s called “gazumping” in England, the process by which someone selling a piece of property accepts an offer from one buyer, maybe even going so far as to shake hands on it, then quickly—and often surreptitiously—accepts another, higher, offer from a second buyer, leaving the first buyer with his pockets agape and his heart broken. Gazump is a glorious, full-bodied word, with a lusty feel in the mouth; the behavior it outlines, however, is anything but satisfying. [English United Kingdom Architecture] [full cite] (Jun. 30, 2004)

Ghostbusters law n. Connecticut has enacted legislation, sometimes referred to as a “Ghostbusters law,” that exempts sellers and their agents from having to voluntarily disclose deaths on the property, and might even cover rumors of a Casper in the closet. [English Architecture Law] [full cite] (May. 1, 2006)

government ugly adj. Architects need to be reminded to keep their signatures, or personal style, off the building, which can sometimes drive up costs, Peach said. Instead, he reminds them to keep buildings “government ugly,” a term used to describe the aesthetic quality of a typical county office building. [English Architecture New or Nonce] [full cite] (Mar. 19, 2007)

granny flat n. One of the two barn-like structures that until recently still stood in the English countryside now forms a four-car garage with upstairs servants’ quarters, guest house or teen room. (The builders also suggest it would make an ideal granny flat.) [English Architecture] [full cite] (Apr. 28, 2004)

granny flat n. Granny Flat: A separate, self-contained unit designed for temporary installation on the side or in the back yard of an adult child’s home. [English Architecture] [full cite] (Apr. 28, 2004)

granny unit n. As part of sweeping zoning changes, the city council will decide next month whether to increase the number of homesites that could add garage apartments or cottages, commonly referred to as granny or in-law units. [English Architecture] [full cite] (Mar. 27, 2005)

grossing factor n. Coleman said the numbers take into consideration what is known as the grossing factor, that amount of space other than classrooms, such as corridors and bathrooms. Most everyone agrees that the existing building lacks in this department, so for planning purposes, the grossing factor has been bumped up from 1.42 percent to 1.58 percent. [English Architecture Construction & Buildings] [full cite] (Nov. 22, 2006)

hardscape v. When a community is developed, much of the land is paved for roads, basketball courts, patios and other features, a practice known as “hardscaping.” Hardscaped areas don’t absorb rainwater anymore; instead it is sent gushing into nearby waterways. [English Architecture] [full cite] (Mar. 4, 2006)

hat n. They contended city officials meddled with their original scheme, rejecting an innovative plan for terra cotta facade panels that would have screened the tower from the rain. The Department of Planning and Development insisted on brick, the architects said, and ordered up a distinctive top—a “hat,” in architectural parlance. [English Architecture Construction & Buildings] [full cite] (Jan. 17, 2008)

headhouse n. By the autumn of 2007, the first new aboveground structure at ground zero in four years should be completed, on Vesey Street. This will be a passenger entrance pavilion, or headhouse. It will serve the temporary PATH terminal until the permanent transportation hub.…From the intermediate platform, eight escalators, two stairways and an elevator will rise 42 feet to the headhouse opposite the new park outside 7 World Trade Center. [English Architecture] [full cite] (Jun. 16, 2006)

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