Types

racetracks (complexes)

Typically oval courses or tracks on which races of any kind are held, including foot races, bicycle races, horse or dog races, and automobile races. Typically oval courses or tracks on which races of any kind are held, including foot races, bicycle races, horse or dog races, and automobile races.

radio stations

Broadcasting stations for sending and receiving radio programming transmissions; for rooms and spaces designed for the origination or recording of radio programs, use "radio studios."

radio telescopes

An instrument used in radio astronomy for detecting and recording radio emissions from space between wavelengths of about 30 megahertz and 300 gigahertz. Radio telescopes essentially consist of a large, concave metal bowl that serves as a directional aerial, capturing and focusing radio waves; along with a receiver and recording equipment.

radio towers

Tall, usually metal, freestanding or guyed towers used as or carrying radio transmitting antennas.

rail fences

Fences of posts and usually two or three split rails.

rail transportation buildings

Buildings specifcally used for purposes related to railroad transportation.

railroad bridges

Bridges that support a railroad track.

railroad signal towers

Structures, often tower-like, from which signals are sent to control the movements of railway trains. They typically house the control equipment for signal apparatuses and switches.

railroad stations

Stations along a rail line where trains load or unload passengers or goods, usually comprising a platform next to the tracks and a building providing related services such as ticket sales and waiting areas. For the stations at the beginning or end of the line, use "railroad terminals."

railroad terminals

Facilities at the beginning or end of rail lines where trains load or unload passengers and freight, generally including a platform next to the tracks and various buildings to provide related services. For facilities for loading or unloading passengers or goods along the course of the rail line rather than at the beginning or end of the line, use "railroad stations."

railroad tracks

No description is available for this term.

railroad tunnels

Tunnels excavated to allow the passage of trains underground, usually through a hill or mountain.

railroad yards

Areas consisting of a network of railway tracks, sidings, and sheds for storing, maintaining, and joining engines and railcars.

railroads (infrastructure)

Transit systems consisting of roads laid with rails forming tracks on which locomotives and cars are run for the transportation of passengers, freight, and mail.

railway buildings

Structures specifically designed for the business of a railroad or railway.

railway hotels

Hotels that are on, or adjoining, a railway station.

ranch houses

Designates asymmetrically massed, one-story houses with low-pitched roofs and rambling shapes; may also be used for the main dwelling on ranches. During the late 1940s and 1950s, the ranch house became associated with the work of architect Cliff May (1908-1989), who often used open plan buildings with large areas of glass. The designs became popular and were assimilated by other architects after the publication of two architectural pattern books by "Sunset" magazine, "'Sunset' Western Ranch Houses (San Francisco, 1946) and "Western Ranch Houses by Cliff May" (Menlo Park, 1958).

ranches (agricultural complexes)

Denotes establishments with extensive landholdings usually for the grazing of cattle; larger than farms.

ranger stations

Structures or complexes serving as a base of operations for rangers or other wardens of a forest, and typically also accessible to the public.

rapids

Irregular, partially obstructed, fast-flowing areas in rivers or streams.

raths

Ancient Irish or Welsh earthen enclosures of relatively small size, usually circular and possibly serving as fortifications or chiefs' residences.

rathskellers

Restaurants, usually located below street level, patterned after basements or cellars in German city halls where wine and beer are sold.

ravines

Narrow, steep-sided land depressions, larger than gullies and smaller than gorges and canyons, usually created by the flow of water.

reactor containment buildings

Structures, often made of steel or reinforced concrete, enclosing a nuclear reactor and designed to contain the escape of radiation to the environment.

reading rooms

Rooms in clubs, libraries, hotels, or public institutions especially adapted and appropriate to reading and study.

reception rooms

Rooms whose purpose is the formal reception of guests, tradesmen, and other visitors.

recessed balconies

Balconies that are flush with or in a recess back from the surface of the exterior wall. They often have walls, sets of columns, or other supports on three sides; distinct from the general design of balconies, which are more typically set out from the surface of the wall.

reconstruction (process )

The process of constructing of new objects or structures that are built to replace or resemble old ones, based on historic, archaeological, or other similar evidence.

recording studios

Studios designed or used for creating audio recordings, such as tape and electronic recordings.

recreation areas

Land and water spaces and associated structures set aside for recreation.

recreation buildings

Distinguished from "entertainment buildings" by more broadly designating buildings designed for or containing equipment for amusement, exercise, sports, or some pastime.

recreation centers

Buildings having facilities for various recreational activities, often provided by or associated with specific groups or organizations.

recreation rooms

Rooms in homes or public buildings furnished and reserved for recreation and informal entertaining.

recreation structures

Built works used for purpose of recreation.

recreational

No description is available for this term.

rectories

The residences provided for clergymen, usually rectors.

red-light districts

Urban areas in which brothels are located, whether operating legally or illegally.

redoubts

Small, usually isolated, fortification works of any form, commonly square or polygonal in plan, used to defend a prominent point.

refectories

Dining halls of monasteries or other religious institutions.

reference libraries (institutions)

Libraries, either general or specialized, that are organized for consultation and research; generally non-circulating.

refineries

Buildings or other industrial installations where a material, such as sugar, oil, metal, etc., is refined, meaning it is purified, clarified, distilled, or otherwise treated, typically by a series of industrial processes, to make the material purer or of a finer quality.

reflecting pools

Designates artificial areas of water, usually of geometric shape, specifically designed and located so as to mirror buildings or other structures.

reformatories (buildings)

Buildings housing penal institutions that provide educational and vocational training among other methods for reforming behavior of youthful offenders or first offenders of minor crimes.

regional parks

Generally refers to parks that are smaller than national parks and providing a wide range of recreation facilities with less emphasis on the landscape value of the area.

rehabilitation centers

Facilities specializing in the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction.

relay stations

Microwave communications stations set up to send and receive transmissions between other installations.

relieving arches

Arches which deflect the weight off of another arch, opening, or other structural member located beneath.

religious buildings

Buildings built or used for religious ceremonies or other functions having to do with a particular religion.

religious camps

Seating, tents, buildings, or other facilities intended to accommodate religious camp meetings, particularly the type of outdoor revival meetings that were held on the American frontier during the 19th century by various Protestant denominations. Seating, tents, buildings, or other facilities intended to accommodate religious camp meetings, particularly the type of outdoor revival meetings that were held on the American frontier during the 19th century by various Protestant denominations.

religious communities (built complexes)

Facilities for groups of people living together or near each other, and subscribing to the tenets of a particular religion, including those who have taken vows and belong to the structure of a particular order, as well as more loosely organized groups of people. For the religious officials or functionaries of a religion, use "clergy." For the formal, organized groups themselves, use "religious orders."

religious schools (institutions)

Educational institutions that focus entirely or partially on religious instruction and theology.

religious structures

Ceremonial structures that are related to or concerned with religion.

rental housing

Apartment complexes, single family dwellings, or other housing owned by one individual or corporation and rented or leased to another.

repair shops

Establishments specializing in repairs, for example, of automobiles, railway cars, shoes, etc.

replicas

Precise reproductions of valued objects, usually in the same dimensions as the original. For reproductions of an image alone, use "reproductions" or "facsimiles." Use also when more than one similar object is produced by the same artist, craftsman, or studio, with little or no variation between them; if variation is apparent, use "versions." Distinct from "forgeries" and "counterfeits," which are produced with the intent to deceive.

repositories (physical storage facilities)

Refers to chambers, rooms, buildings, vessels, receptacles, or other physical places in which works of art, specimens, curiosities, archives, documents, books, or other things are placed, deposited, or stored. In the context of art museums, the usage of the term often overlaps with "repositories (institutions)." For data storage and management destinations or mechanisms, use "data repositories" or "digital repositories."

reredoses (screens)

Refers to relatively large ornamented walls, screens, or other structures located above and behind the high altar of a Christian church, often holding the sacred tabernacle. A reredos may be placed against the apse wall, directly behind the altar, or may form part an altar screen. Its form evolved from the dossal, a tapestry or painting on the wall behind the altar. In church design, It may serve as a screen between celebrant and the congregation or between the choir and the retrochoir. In Spanish churches the reredos grew to be as wide as the nave and reaching to the vaulting of the roof. The reredos may be made of precious materials and heavily decorated, often with carvings, niches, sculptures, paintings and tapestries. It is distinct from a 'retable'; while the reredos typically rises from ground level behind the altar, the retable is smaller, standing either on the back of the altar itself or on a pedestal behind it. Many altars have both a reredos and a retable.

research buildings

Buildings built or used primarily to house space and facilities for scientific or other research.

research centers (buildings)

Buildings or spaces housing organizations or corporate, industrial, or educational facilities for research. For independent places where research is conducted, see "research institutes."

research institutes (buildings)

Buildings designed as separate, independent, and generally self-sufficient places to facilitate basic or applied research under contract or as nonprofit organizations.

research institutes (institutions)

Separate, independent, and generally self-sufficient institutions engaging in basic or applied research under contract or as nonprofit organizations. For institutions that support research conducted as part of a larger organization, use "research centers."

research laboratories

Laboratories equipped for both basic and applied research, usually set up in support of a larger organization which may then test and implement the research results.

research libraries (buildings)

Buildings or spaces housing libraries consisting of specialized documents, and providing facilities for undertaking exhaustive investigation and research.

research libraries (institutions)

Libraries consisting of specialized documents, and providing facilities for undertaking exhaustive investigation and research.

research parks

Industrial parks whose facilities are devoted primarily to research and development.

research stations

Refers to relatively isolated places with facilities for personnel habitation on site and for conducting on-site observations of natural phenomena in specific fields. Distinct from "experiment stations" which are primarily for research and experimenting and generally are not physically isolated.

research structures

Built works designed and used specifically for research.

reservoirs (water distribution structures)

Artificial ponds or lakes where water is accumulated and retained until needed.

residential districts

Areas of a town or city zoned for or used primarily for single- or multiple-family dwellings.

residential structures

Architecture or other accommodations produced for or adapted to provide shelter and security for the basic physical functions of life for an individual, family, or clan and their dependents, human and animal. Among the functions provided for are a place to sleep, prepare food, eat, and sometimes to work, usually having a door, window, or other source of light and with protection from the weather.

residential towers

No description is available for this term.

resorts

Buildings and other facilities located in a scenic, sporting, or other desirable area, and providing lodgings, entertainment, and other amenities for vacationers.

rest homes

Extended care facilities in a residential environment for the elderly, ill, or convalescing who need special, often medical, attention. Distinguished from "nursing homes" which emphasize round-the-clock skilled nursing care in primarily institutional environments.

rest rooms

Public facilities containing toilets and lavatories, such as are found in office buildings, schools, transportation facilities, and other nonresidential locations.

restaurants

Buildings housing businesses where meals or refreshments are sold and eaten.

restoration (process)

The process of making changes to an object or structure so that it will closely approximate its original state or other state at a specific time in its history. For changes not considering historical correctness, see "remodeling" or "renovation." When changes are made to prevent further deterioration, see "preservation." More generally, for treatment, preventive care, and research directed toward long-term safekeeping of cultural and natural heritage, see "conservation."

retail stores

Places of business where goods are sold directly to the ultimate consumers.

retaining walls

No description is available for this term.

retirement communities

Self-contained residential communities for retired people which provide for most of the daily needs of the residents. For similar facilities offering more comprehensive services, use "life care communities."

retirement homes

Multi-unit dwellings for the able-bodied elderly, often providing some common facilities for residents, as for social activities and meals.

retreats (events)

Periods of withdrawal to a place of seclusion for the purpose of spiritual rest and restoration.

ribbed vaults

Vaults that include ribs either as supporting or decorative elements.

ribbon windows

Several windows set directly adjacent, without intervening wall space, so as to form a horizontal band of fenestration; found in buildings of Modernist style.

ridges (landforms)

Ridges are elongated strips of elevated ground that may be either on dry land or underwater.

riding clubs

Complexes designed to board horses and accommodate equestrian events such as competitions, dressage, and recreational riding.

riding rings

Refers to enclosed, oval, circular, or rectangular spaces designed and equipped for horseback riding.

rifle ranges

Areas designed or used primarily for the shooting of rifles at targets.

riprap

Layers, facings, or protective embankments comprised of large irregular and randomly placed stones to prevent erosion, scour, or sloughing; also the stone so used.

river towns

Towns situated near or on a river.

riverbanks

The land margins of rivers.

riverfronts

Spaces, land, or part of a city or town on the edge of a river.

rivers

Bodies of water flowing in direct course or a series of divergents or converging channels.

road bridges

Bridges that carry a road.

road transportation structures

Buildings and structures used for functions related to road transportation.

roadhouses

Restaurants, inns, or hotels located beside or near roads or highways, often providing entertainment in addition to food and shelter.

roads

General term referring to all long outdoor passages used by and generally created by humans, intended to allow people to pass between different places, usually one wide enough to admit of the passage of wheeled vehicles, horses, or travellers on foot.

roadside rest areas

Turn-outs along roadways used as public rest stops; often having shade trees or shelters, toilets, picnic tables, and trash cans.

roadways

Those portions of thoroughfares over which vehicular traffic passes.

rock art

Paintings or carvings worked on living rock.

rock engravings

Images carved in low relief or inscribed into living rock with relatively linear incisions.