Glossary
of Garden Buildings
This helpful little glossary of garden buildings,
garden
sheds, and storage buildings is based on information in the Art
and Architecture Thesaurus provided by the Getty
Research Institute. Enjoy!
Arbor—a light, open
structure either formed from trees, shrubs, or vines closely planted and twined together to be self-supporting or formed from a latticework frame covered with
plants. Arbors are generally less extensive and less substantial than
"pergolas."
Barn—an agricultural building with large, usually sliding doors, prominent roofs, and predominantly open spaces on the interior, primarily used as storage buildings for hay, grains, and farm equipment and shelters for
livestock.
Cabana—A small cabin, simple enclosure, or tentlike
structure erected at beaches or swimming pools as bathhouses.
Carriage house—a building where
a wheeled vehicle, especially a four-wheeled horse-drawn passenger
vehicle is parked or housed.
Gardenhouse—an ornamental, usually open,
garden structure used for dining, viewing, or relaxing.
Gazebo—a small structure, usually roofed and open-sided, located in gardens or parks from which one may gaze out over the surrounding grounds.
Greenhouse—a structure enclosed by glass
(or other transparent or translucent material), and devoted to the cultivation and protection of plants out of
season or climate.
Garage—a building or part of a building where motor vehicles are parked or housed, usually
temporarily.
Pavilion—a part of a building that projects outward from the rest,
or the detached or semidetached units into which a building is sometimes
divided.
Pergola—a structure with open wood-framed roofs, often
latticed and supported by regularly spaced posts or
columns, and covered by climbing plants such as vines or roses, shading a walk or passageway.
Pergolas are distinguished from "arbors," which are less extensive in extent and structure.
Playhouse—a small house-like structure designed for children to play in.
Shed—a small structure, either freestanding or attached to a larger structure, serving for storage or shelter.
Sunhouse or solarium—a building or
room designed to receive maximum sunlight.
Summerhouse—a structure of varying forms in gardens or parks designed to provide cool shady places of relaxation or retreats from summer heat.
