Definitions starting with c

• CAD software A manufacturer of computer aided design software.
• cabaret A restaurant or nightclub where musical acts or variety shows perform for an audience seated at tables.
• cable-stayed bridge A bridge whose deck is supported by tense cables mounted on columns or in the surrounding landscape.
• cablecar traffic A site or structure used as a route for suspended cable cars.
• cafe A restaurant specializing in light meals and drinks.
• cafeteria A dining area where customers serve themselves from stations with ready-made food.
• caisson foundation A foundation consisting of reinforced concrete piers which are poured into drilled holes in the ground.
• cajun restaurant A restaurant specializing in Cajun cuisine.
• calvinist church A consecrated house of worship in the Calvinist tradition, including Reformed churches.
• camel racing A facility where camels race around a track in front of an audience.
• camera store Retail space specializing in cameras and photographic equipment.
• campground An outdoor area constructed to accommodate tents or camping trailers.
• camping A place designated for overnight sleeping in tents or crude shelters.
• canal An artificially constructed linear channel of navigable water.
• canceled A design's planning was stopped, and construction is no longer expected to occur.
• canine exhibit A zoo habitat for housing and displaying wolves, foxes, coyotes, wild dogs, or other canines.
• cannery A place where food products are sealed into cans or jars.
• canteen A dining space available especially to tenants of a building, often with food service and vending machines.
• cantilever bridge A bridge whose span is held out horizontally by one or more anchor points.
• capacity per hour The number of persons who can be accommodated in one hour, especially in objects like amusement rides.
• capitol-type building A building with a high central dome in the form of a capitol.
• car parking A site for parking cars and similar private vehicles.
• car rental A place where personal automobiles or SUVs can be rented.
• car sharing station A site for pick-up and drop-off of cars in a sharing program for short-term use.
• car wash A facility for cleaning cars and other personal motor vehicles.
• carbon neutrality The structure produces at least as much energy as it consumes.
• card shop A retail space specializing in greeting cards.
• cardboard Sheets or panels of corrugated or thickened paper used for thermal insulation.
• cargo port terminal A facility for loading and unloading cargo ships.
• cargo storage A place or shelter for intermediate storage of cargo before further transportation.
• carillon A site with 23 or more bells of varying sizes which are capable of playing music.
• carnation A light shade of pink, about halfway between pink and white.
• carolingian Medieval architecture of the late first millennium, influenced by Roman architecture.
• carousel A mechanical merry-go-round carrying riders on seats.
• carpet Wall-to-wall floor covering of cloth material.
• carpet cleaning A place used for doing business in rug or carpet cleaning
• carpet store Retail space specializing in wall-to-wall floor coverings.
• caryatid A human-like sculpture used as a supporting column or pilaster.
• casement A window which is hinged at the side, and swings open horizontally.
• casino A place where games or machines are set up for recreational gambling.
• casino operator A firm or individual which manages a gambling house.
• cast iron A molded rust-resistant form of iron or iron alloy.
• cast stone Concrete or cement-based units formulated and cut to resemble natural stone.
• castle A very large fortified residence with towers.
• castle chapel A house of worship that forms part of a castle or palace.
• cathedral designation A church which is officially the seat of a bishop or prelate.
• cats allowed Domestic cats may be kept as pets on the premises.
• causeway A linear bed of solid material extending across a body of water to form a road or pathway.
• cellular brick A load-bearing frame composed of largely hollow bricks or clay blocks perforated with several holes.
• cellular phone transmission A point for transmission or relay of mobile telephone signals.
• cellulose batts Thick flexible sheets or stuffed bags of pure isolated organic fiber material.
• cellulose loose fill Particles or loose pieces of organic plant fiber used as thermal insulation.
• cellulose spray A mass of fine particulate plant fiber sprayed into wall and roof cavities for thermal insulation.
• cement board A dense material composed of cement and reinforcing fibers, usually formed into hard sheets.
• cement storage Space for bulk storage of raw cement.
• cementitious foam Magnesium oxide cement filled with air pockets for insulation.
• cemetery An outdoor site for graves and mausoleums.
• central air conditioning A building-wide air conditioning system using ductwork to deliver cooled air.
• central bank A national or supernational office which manages a currency.
• ceramic tile Thin pieces of baked clay which are applied to facades with mortar.
• ceramic tile A flooring surface constructed with any form of clay tiles.
• ceramic tiles Roofing made of clay tiles, usually round and interlocking with each other.
• certificate A recognition whose intent is primarily to acknowledge and document a particular quality or achievement.
• certification auditor A company which reviews a built object's qualifications to receive an official certification.
• chalk quarry A site where soft calcium carbonate is extracted from the earth.
• chamber of commerce Office space housing an organization which promotes local businesses.
• chamber of commerce An organization dedicated to promoting business on a local or regional level.
• chapel A house of worship in certain Christian denominations without the rights of a parish church.
• charcoal A dark neutral shade of gray, about halfway between gray and black.
• charitable housing Housing spaces provided as a benefit for persons in extreme need.
• charity A place whose main function is to provide charitable help to persons needing it.
• chartreuse A strongly greenish shade of yellow, about halfway between yellow and lime.
• chateauesque A revival and adaptation of the architecture of 17th and 18th century French chateaus.
• check engineering A company which double-checks the work of other engineers on a construction project.
• checkpoint A station for governmental inspections or routine control procedures.
• chemical plant A facility for the manufacture or mass synthesis of chemical products.
• chemical research A facility devoted to experiments and studies in chemistry and material science.
• chemical storage Space for bulk storage of raw chemicals.
• chess A location designated for chess games, often with spectator seating.
• chicago school A pre-modern style that emphasizes the simplicity and modular regularity of a building's skeletal framework.
• chicken fast food A fast food restaurant specializing in chicken, where food is ordered and picked up at a counter.
• children's clothing store Retail space specializing in clothing for children and young people.
• children's creative studio A play area or workshop where children use paint, clay or other provided materials in creative exercise.
• children's home Housing designated especially for children under common care, apart from their parents.
• children's hospital A facility for intensive and emergency medical care of children.
• children's museum A public play space or learning center with interactive museum-like exhibits.
• chilled water plant A site where water is cooled then distributed to other sites for air conditioning.
• chimes A place which holds a few bells for playing music, signalling the time, and/or summoning people to gather together.
• chimney A freestanding vertical conduit for the passage and emission of smoke, steam, or other gas.
• chinese fast food A fast food restaurant specializing in Chinese cuisine, where food is ordered and picked up at a counter.
• chinese food take-out A place without table service where customers order Chinese-style food for take-out or delivery.
• chinese restaurant A restaurant specializing in Chinese cuisine.
• chiropractic clinic A center for treatment of patients by practitioners of chiropractic therapy, involving manipulation of the spine, joints, and muscles.
• chocolate A dark shade of brown without tinting from other hues.
• chocolate shop A shop specializing in chocolates and chocolate products.
• christian affiliation Directly connected with the Christian faith or operated by an organization belonging to it.
• christian community church A house of worship belonging to the Christian Community denomination.
• christian science church A house of worship in the Christian Science faith.
• chromium mine A site where naturally occurring chromium ore is extracted from the earth.
• church Consecrated space for Christian services of any denomination.
• church A house of worship built for Christian services or masses.
• chute A structure which guides riders along a sloping path without fixed tracks.
• cigar bar A place designated for recreational smoking of cigars.
• cinder quarry A site where volcanic cinders are extracted from the earth.
• cinema A facility for screening motion pictures to audiences.
• cinereous A light to medium shade of bluish brown.
• circle An evenly rounded floor plan.
• circuit roller coaster A roller coaster with a traditional layout, making a journey in the form of a circuit.
• circuital numbering House numbering in which a single sequence progresses up one side of a street and reverses itself on the other side.
• circus A forum for performances involving a variety of tricks, stunts, and wonders.
• citrine A somewhat dark shade of grayish yellow.
• city A populated area with some degree of self-governance, which does not belong to any other city.
• city hall The principal seat of a municipal government.
• civil court A court of law designated for legal cases involving monetary damages.
• civil defense Spaces and structures used for protection of citizenry and maintaining social order.
• civil engineering A company which designs the infrastructure around a building.
• classical chinese Traditional Chinese architecture with prominent roof eaves and an emphasis on vertical and horizontal hierarchies.
• classical greek Architecture of ancient Greece, characterized by refined proportions, fluted columns, and triangular pediments.
• classical japanese Traditional architecture of Japan, featuring wide overhanging roofs and clear skeletal constructions.
• classical mexican Pre-Columbian architecture from central Mexico, including Teotihuacano, Olmec, Toltec, and Aztec.
• classical roman Architecture of the Roman Empire, with rationalistic stone constructions influenced by Greek architecture and often using rounded arches.
• clay A continuous flooring material of compacted fine-grained minerals.
• clay quarry A site where fine-grained mineral soil is extracted from the earth.
• clearance The free space allowed within a structure or pathway for entry and passage.
• clearance (underneath) The maximum height between ground level, high tide, or normal water level and the underside of a bridge or other structure.
• clearance (vehicle) The maximum vehicle height which can enter or cross a structure.
• client The owner of a structure at the time of its original construction.
• climate research A facility devoted to experiments and studies about weather systems and climatological dynamics.
• climber scales the outside A daredevil or expert climber scales the exterior of a particularly high or challenging structure from base to roof.
• climbing A place with walls or vertical structures designated for recreational climbing or rappelling.
• clinic A place where patients come for outpatient medical care.
• clock A structure or object used to broadcast the current time, either visually or with sound.
• clock(s) on exterior One or more clocks is displayed to the public on the structure's exterior.
• clock/bell tower A relatively tall or narrow structure for holding bells and/or clocks.
• clothing care Retail space where customers can take their clothing for cleaning or maintenance.
• clothing manufacturing A place where finished articles of clothing are produced.
• clothing store A shop where customers purchase clothing, hats, or similar objects for wearing.
• clothing wholesaler A place where clothing is sold in bulk to clothing stores or to large commercial purchasers.
• club house Space for members of a social club to meet and fraternize.
• cluster A group of buildings which can include both complexes and individual buildings.
• coal heating Heating is generated by burning coal on the site.
• coal mine A site for the extraction of coal from the earth.
• coal storage Space for bulk storage of coal.
• coal-burning power plant A facility for generating electric power by burning coal.
• coffeeshop A place where coffee is sold as a primary product to customers, usually from behind a counter.
• cold storage warehouse A refrigerated facility for storage of perishable goods while between the supplier and the retailer.
• collapsible seating Bleachers or other installed seating which can be folded or stowed away when not in use.
• colleague A relationship between two persons employed by the same employer.
• colleague request pending A relationship in which one person has indicated a colleague relationship with the other, who has not yet reciprocated.
• college Classroom space at an institution which offers undergraduate but not postgraduate courses.
• column A vertical structure appearing to be carved out of rock, with a clearly defined base and capital.
• column grid length (long) The distance between two column centers along the long side of a rectangle in a regular grid of structural supports.
• column grid length (short) The distance between two column centers along the short side of a rectangle in a regular grid of structural supports.
• comedy club A place for stand-up comedy and non-theatrical comedy performances.
• comic book store Retail space specializing in books and magazines filled with cartoons.
• commemoration The structure exists for the purpose of memorializing someone or something.
• commercial airline hangar Enclosed space for storage and/or maintenance of aircraft belonging to passenger airlines.
• commercial building A building used for housing businesses.
• commercial heliport A site for take-offs and landings of helicopters for business use.
• commercial office Administrative work space for businesses.
• commercial property Real estate properties which are intended to create a profit.
• commodities exchange A trading center focused on the exchange of raw materials and their financial derivatives.
• communal housing Places for group living without the full benefits of private control.
• communications engineering A company which designs electronic information systems in a structure.
• community center A social activity center which serves as an amenity or focal point for any type of community.
• community college A college which offers non-degree adult education or grants degrees lower than a bachelor's degree.
• company A business, organization, or other entity comprised of humans; often defined in a particular role with regard to other objects.
• company dates Times of events in a company's lifecycle.
• company involvement A connection between a company or individual and a physical entity, in a particular role.
• company registration number A unique government identifier for a company.
• company status The present state of a company's existence.
• competition entry A design entered in a competition but not selected for development.
• completed The structure appears complete, and is available for use.
• completion A structure is basically finished on the outside, and at least partly ready for use.
• complex A group of structures in physical proximity to each other which are related by common construction, management, or purpose.
• compost storage Space for storage of organic waste while it biodegrades.
• computer store Retail space specializing in computers and computer accessories.
• computing research A facility devoted to studies in computer technology and information science.
• concept Vague development plans have been announced, but no final design exists yet.
• conception The moment when a structure's plan is given its original statement.
• concert location A facility designated for musical concerts.
• concrete A load-bearing frame composed of hardened cement aggregate.
• concrete Flooring made of concrete or cement, usually a painted or unimproved structural floorplate.
• concrete A fabricated mixture of cement, gravel, and other substances which can be applied as panels or left exposed as a framework structure.
• concrete and steel stacked A load-bearing frame of reinforced concrete stacked above or below a steel framework.
• concrete cutting A company that specializes in cutting, drilling, or sawing concrete.
• concrete masonry unit Blocks of concrete stacked and joined with mortar like bricks.
• concrete masonry unit A load-bearing frame composed of small blocks of concrete joined by mortar.
• concrete mixer A company which mixes the concrete used in a structure.
• concrete plant A facility where quarried aggregates and other ingredients are converted into concrete.
• concrete slab Roofing with a continuous concrete surface, either precast or cast-in-place.
• concrete tiles Roofing made from tile or shingles of concrete, often reinforced with fiberglass.
• concrete with steel A load-bearing frame in which steel beams and concrete are used together to counteract lateral forces.
• concrete-in-steel composite A load-bearing frame with hollow steel beams filled with concrete.
• concrete-steel tandem A load-bearing frame combining separate concrete and steel elements attached to each other at the same level.
• condemnation A government asserts its authority to take over a property or to demand its closing or demolition.
• condition The state of a property with respect to market expectations at a particular time.
• conference center Commonly available space with tables, seating, presentation equipment, and electronics suitable for business meetings.
• conference space Space which is rented out for meetings, speeches, discussions, and social gatherings.
• confucian temple A place dedicated to reverence and ceremony in the Confucian religion.
• congregation center A social center which accompanies a house of worship.
• congregational church A house of worship in the Congregationalist tradition of Christianity.
• consecration The moment when a place officially receives a religious status as a sacred site.
• consortium A partnership of multiple companies acting together in one role.
• construction Companies and firms involved in the physical work of building and altering structures.
• construction approved The decisive governing authority approves construction of a structure.
• construction area The total amount of built floor space occupied by solid structural elements like columns, walls, and doors.
• construction association An organization to promote common causes among various enrolled construction firms.
• construction auditing A company hired to supervise or check the work of contractors on a construction site.
• construction award A laudatory recognition given for excellence in construction.
• construction cost $ The total costs of construction in US Dollars as recorded at the time of completion.
• construction cost CHF The total costs of construction in Swiss Francs as recorded at the time of completion.
• construction cost RMB The total costs of construction in Chinese Renminbi as recorded at the time of completion.
• construction cost £ The total costs of construction in Pounds Sterling as recorded at the time of completion.
• construction cost ¥ The total costs of construction in Japanese Yen as recorded at the time of completion.
• construction cost € The total costs of construction in Euros as recorded at the time of completion.
• construction equipment Quantities of certain objects employed during construction.
• construction event Events associated with the original construction of a built object or any additions to it.
• construction fence manufacturer A company that fabricates fences for use at construction sites.
• construction fence rental A company that rents or leases fences for use at construction sites.
• construction halted midway Construction on a structure comes to a halt before it is completed.
• construction logistics A company that coordinates movement of machines, material, and people at a construction site.
• construction machinery rental A company which owns machines used in construction and leases them for use at building sites.
• construction management A company which manages the construction process from a position as owner's representative.
• construction security A company that secures a construction site to prevent damage and theft.
• construction workers (peak) The maximum number of workers active at one time during the construction of a built object.
• consulate A diplomatic facility which is subordinate to and separate from an embassy.
• contact information Data and references used for making direct contact with persons or groups responsible for any object.
• contact person A person associated with a company as a point of communication.
• container building A building composed of one or multiple shipping containers.
• container port terminal A facility for loading and unloading large cargo containers carried by ships.
• container rail terminal A facility for loading and unloading large containers carried on railroad networks.
• continent Any of the seven commonly recognized subdivisions of the earth's land area.
• continuous glazing Fixed windows arranged side by side in long rows or on a continuous surface.
• control point A point where travelers or vehicles are checked, guided, or tolled.
• controlled implosion A structure is removed from its site or partly destroyed by a deliberate and sanctioned implosion or explosion.
• controlled interior humidity The controlled percentage level of possible water vapor content in the indoor air of a building space.
• controlled interior temperature A defined heat level which is applied constantly to a building interior.
• convenience store A shop with long opening hours with a limited range of essential goods.
• convent Housing for female members of a religious order.
• convention center Space for hosting large themed exhibitions and gatherings.
• conversion to passive heating begins The physical processes of refitting a building to enable passive heating begin.
• conversion to passive heating ends The physical processes of refitting a building to enable passive heating is finished.
• convertible stadium A structure with raked seating around a performance area, and a movable roof which can be opened or fully closed.
• cookie store A shop specializing in cookies and similar baked goods.
• cooking school A place where courses in cooking skills are offered to students.
• cooling ceilings Ceiling-mounted coils of chilled air, used as a supplement to air conditioning systems for room cooling.
• cooling installation A company which installs air conditioning and other cooling systems in a building.
• cooling system fabricator A manufacturer of cooling units such as air conditioners.
• cooling tower A large structure built to remove heat from a power plant or an industrial plant.
• cooperative apartments Multiunit housing in which tenants share a common stake in the whole property.
• coordinates The latitude, longitude, and altitude of any point with respect to the center of the earth.
• copper A reddish-brown chemical element which weathers to brilliant green with age.
• copper mine A site where naturally occurring copper ore is extracted from the earth.
• copper sheeting Roofing made of large sheets or slats of copper.
• coral A soft, medium shade of reddish or pinkish orange.
• core plus outrigger A framing system in which a rigid core is tied to the perimeter with sturdy horizontal beams.
• corinthian column A classically styled column with an ornate capital depicting acanthus leaves.
• cork Flooring made of sheets or tiles of bark from the cork oak tree.
• cork panels Sheets or panels of thermal insulation made from the bark of the cork oak tree.
• cornerstone laid The date when a ceremonial or real stone is laid in or on the ground in celebration of the start of construction.
• cornice A building summit formed by an overhanging decorative parapet.
• corridor width The median distance between the walls of a central or main corridor through a building.
• cosmetic medicine Clinical or practice space for medical procedures concerned with improving personal appearance.
• cosmetics store Retail space specializing in beauty products and similar wares.
• costume store Retail space for sale or rental of costumes, masks, and outlandish clothing.
• cotton batts Thick flexible sheets or stuffed bags of cotton fiber or cotton cloth.
• counseling Clinical or practice space devoted to professional non-medical personal advice and problem resolution.
• country An independent nation or a distinct territory, which does not form an integral part of any other nation.
• country club A club house belonging to a private recreational club, usually featuring a golf course.
• county A subdivision of a state, province, or other first-level country subdivision.
• county courthouse A court of law operated by a second-level national governmental subdivision.
• courthouse A government facility where legal cases are heard and tried.
• courtyard An accessible open-air space surrounded on 3 or 4 sides by the same building.
• covid-19 testing A site where people can be tested for Covid-19
• covid-19 vaccination A site for immunizing people against Covid-19
• coworking office Office space shared by individuals from various different organizations.
• crane A permanent freestanding framework with moving parts for lifting objects.
• crane manufacturer (construction) A manufacturer of major cranes used in a structure's original construction.
• crane rental A company which owns cranes and leases them to construction companies.
• crawl space A floor level without adequate space for humans to walk upright.
• cream An extremely light shade of yellow; verging on white.
• creamery A facility for industrial production of dairy products.
• credit union A place where a cooperatively owned institution offers bank-like financial services to its members.
• crematorium A place for cremating dead bodies.
• crenellation A series of gaps placed at regular intervals in a parapet.
• creperie A restaurant or cafe specializing in thin French-style pancakes.
• cricket A field for cricket, with all bases plus the playing area.
• criminal court A court of law designated for legal cases involving criminal actions.
• crimson A somewhat dark shade of red without tinting from other hues.
• critical care Clinical or practice space devoted to patient support in life-threatening cases.
• crocus A bold shade of deep bluish purple.
• crop field A piece of land prepared or used for intensive cultivation of plant crops.
• crop terraces A distinct area of cultivated land arranged in terraces staggered at different levels.
• cross A floor plan composed of 2 intersecting straight members.
• cross-docking capacity A facility where goods can be unloaded from inbound vehicles and loaded directly onto outbound vehicles.
• cross-laminated timber Structural wood beams made by gluing layers of wood together at right angles for added strength.
• cross-ridged roof A roof with multiple ridgelines intersecting each other.
• cuban restaurant A restaurant specializing in Cuban cuisine.
• cultivated land A parcel of land prepared or used for controlled growth of selected species for consumption.
• cultivation Places used for growing crops or raising livestock.
• cultural center A place for people to meet around a common cultural theme.
• cumulation A solid monumental construction of stacked earth or stone.
• cumulative visitors The total historical number of visits to a place up to the present time.
• curling A place with one or more sheets of ice marked and measured for the sport of curling.
• curling bridge A movable bridge with a flexible or segmented span which opens by curling vertically.
• currency exchange A site for conversion between different currencies and other simple financial services.
• curtain wall A facade which covers the frame of a building like a sheet.
• curved mansard A roof which curves down steeply from a relatively flat plane toward the edges.
• curved stairway Stairs which curve but do not form a full circle.
• customer parking A site where customers of a commercial establishment can leave their vehicles while shopping.
• customs control A place where customs officers screen goods entering or leaving a country.
• customs office A government office where foreign shipments are controlled.
• cyan A light bluish color; one of the three subtractive primary colors.
• cycling A course or track for bicycle riding or racing.

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