SAH Archipedia uses terms from the Getty Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) to categorize and classify metadata for the entries in the database. For more information on the Getty AAT, click here

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coquina

A fossiliferous limestone composed of coarse shells or shell fragments which is loosely cemented by an infiltration of carbonate of lime; its name derives from the Spanish word for 'cockleshell.' Coquina is a detrital rock because it is formed from debris and is distinguished from coquinoid limestone which is formed in situ and is composed of shell material in a fine-grained matrix.


Cor-Ten steel (TM)

A weathering steel that has superior corrosion resistance over regular carbon steel because of a protective oxide film on the metal's surface. Its 50,000 minimum yield strength allows for cost reduction because lighter sections can be designed and built into structures; it is generally meant to be used in unpainted applications where a reduction in maintenance costs, such as painting, are desired. Cor-Ten is a brand name for corrosion resistant products that were developed by United States Steel; Cor-Ten has subsequently been licensed to be produced by other steel manufacturers.


coral (material)

Hard material consisting of calcium carbonate derived from the skeletal deposits of certain marine animals.


coral limestone

Fossiliferous limestone composed of fragments of corals.


corbel tables

May designate projecting masonry courses supported by a range of corbels, or ranges of corbels supporting cornices or other projecting courses, or ensembles of corbels and projecting courses; found especially in Medieval architecture.


cork (bark)

The lightweight, elastic outer bark the cork oak, species Quercus suber native to the Mediterranean region. Cork is elastic, buoyant, and resilient, used to seal wine bottles, for insulation, floats, acoustical wall covering, flooring, shoe soles, gaskets, and handles.


cork (pigment)

A type of dye ranging from purple to red in color, obtained from certain lichens growing, for example, on rocks in Scotland and the north of England.


corkboard

Construction board made by compressing granulated cork and subjecting it to heat so that the particles cement themselves together.


corncob (material)

Material comprising the elongated woody core of an ear of corn, in which the grains were embedded.


cornices

The projecting, uppermost features of classical entablatures; use also for similar features crowning a window or wall.


Cornus (genus)

Genus of 30-50 species of shrubs, trees, and herbs native to Europe, eastern Asia, and North America.


corrugated iron

Structural sheet of iron or steel, usually galvanized for weather resistance, shaped in alternating ridges and grooves; used as roofing, siding, and the like.


corrugated steel
No description is available for this term.

cotton (textile)

Textile made from cotton fiber.


cottonseed oil

Vegetable oil made from the cotton plant, and popular as a food oil, such as in salad oils and margarine. Cottonseed oil also has a wide range of industrial uses, such as an ingredient in soaps and paint oils.


cottonwood (wood)

General term for wood from several species of poplar trees, all having in common that they have a soft, pale color, are fine-grained with uniform texture, may be worked easily, stain well, but have a tendency to warp. Cottonwood is used for millwork, musical instruments, paneling, packing boxes, paper pulp, and excelsior (wood shavings used for stuffing).


coursed ashlar

Building material comprising squared stonework laid in regular courses of consistent height; though each course may vary in height.


cover tile

The tiles that bridge the open joint between rows of tiles in a roof. For example, in ancient Greek architecture, the roof tile (imbrex) of terracotta or marble, usually semicircular (Laconian) or triangular (Corinthian) in section, bridged the open joint between two rows of flat tiles or pantiles (tegulae).


creosote

A coal-tar distillate that is a mixture of organic compounds, largely hydrocarbons, commonly used as a wood preservative.


crown glass

Flat pane glass made by blowing a bubble of glass, transferring it from a blow-pipe to a rod, cutting it open, then rapidly rotating it until, by centrifugal force, it is spread into a flat disk. Can be either small individual panes with so-called bulls-eyes in the centers or large disks that are annealed and cut into pieces. Crown glass is thin and brilliant with a slight convexity and concentric wavy lines. Known to the ancient Romans throughout the Empire; found in windows of medieval cathedrals.


crushed stone

Rock, often granite, limestone, or trap rock, that is quarried, crushed, and graded and then used for making concrete, railway ballast, and road making.


Cryptomeria japonica (species)

Species of conifer native to Japan; the only species in its genus.


crystal (lead glass)

Fine, high quality, heavy, decorative glass made with fine white sand, at least 24% lead oxide, and small amounts of potash and niter. It is clear, colorless, highly refractive glass that is heavy and has greater than twice the density of standard borate glass. It was developed in England in 1676; often used for high quality chandelier prisms and fine stemware.


crystal (material by form)

A solid body having a characteristic internal structure and enclosed by systematically arranged plane surfaces.


Cupressus (genus)

Genus containing 12 species of ornamental and timber evergreen conifers native to warm temperate regions in the northern hemisphere, including western North America, Central America, northwest Africa, the Middle East, the Himalaya, southern China, and north Vietnam.


curbing

Blocks or slabs of stone or concrete set on edge, creating an upward projection that is used as a curb; may be straight or curved.


curtain walls (nonbearing walls)

Nonbearing walls supported by the members of a rigid frame structure, such as a reinforced concrete or steel frame, and therefore serving to enclose but not to support. Nonbearing walls supported by the members of a rigid frame structure, such as a reinforced concrete or steel frame, and therefore serving to enclose but not to support.


cut glass

Glassware with facets, grooves, and depressions produced by cutting with a rotating wheel of metal or stone.


cut nails

Nails having sharp edges along four sides of the shank, and often a flat, rectangular point. The shape of the shank allows the nail to punch its way through timber fibers rather than causing the wood to split. An example of use is for nailing hardwoods, such as oak flooring.


cut velvet

Velvet in which the loops formed by the pile warp are cut to form tufts.


cyclopean concrete

Mass concrete in which large stones, each weighing 100 lb. (45.4 kg) or more, are embedded when the concrete is laid. The stones, called pudding stones or plums, are typically less than 6 in. (15 cm) apart and farther than 8 in. (20 cm) away from any exposed surface.


cylinder glass

Flat pane glass characterized by straight ripples. Is made by an an ancient technique of blowing a large glass bubble and swinging it on a blow-pipe to form a long bottle, then cutting off both hemispherical ends. The resulting cylinder is then cut lengthwise and reheated after which it is flattened by a wooden plane or by being allowed to sink to a flat state. Traditionally, it was characterized by a great variability of texture, color, and thickness, though it is more regular when produced by modern methods. Cylinder glass largely replaced crown glass when the process of making it was mechanized.


cypress (wood)

Wood of trees of the Cupressus genus, native to Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, and known for its durability.


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