The purpose of this part of the website is to produce a series of simplified specialist glossaries, or ready reckoners, which may be referred to in order to assist in an understanding of the various main subjects, which are covered routinely by Civic Trust Auckland in its day to day activities.
The building sector is an important aspect of Civic Trust Auckland interests. Buildings and building elements need to be described in various documents and presentations and consequently, knowledge of architectural and building terms is important to members and site visitors.
What do the terms nog and dwang have in common? Where would you find a barge board? Which building item should be plumb, a stud, or a purlin?
Architectural terms are of similar importance and it is essential to have an understanding of as many of these as possible, in order to be able to interpret building descriptions contained in reports, essays and speeches.
Do you know the difference between hip and gable roof designs? Can you describe a Dutch gable? Is that building Art Deco or Art Nouveau? Is that pillar Doric, Ionic or Corinthian?
There is a fine line between building and architectural terms. Many terms should appear in both glossaries. In compiling these two glossaries, a certain level of arbitrariness has been inevitable, in deciding the glossary of best fit.
Similarly, the activities of Civic Trust Auckland extend to various aspects of Maori cultural heritage. The Auckland region contains numerous Maori place names. It is often instructive to consider the likely meaning of such place names. There are certain specialist Maori terms for buildings and other objects located within Pa sites and Kainga (fortified and unfortified villages and settlements). In consequence, a glossary of Maori words is being compiled in order to assist non-Maori speakers to gain a better understanding of the Auckland region and the artifacts, which it contains. Civic Trust Auckland encourages its members to consider this particular glossary in some detail, note its basic shortcomings and perhaps proceed, at least partly along the path towards an understanding of the Maori language.
