How do you write and describe buildings?

Buildings are a really unique way to set the scene. In fact, I’ve read plenty of books where the buildings felt like characters in their own right, rather than just spaces where a story was set. There is so much to gain from being able to capture a building or the architectural style of a region really well, and that goes for both those writing about the same world we inhabit, or if you’re writing genre fiction that requires a completely custom-built world.

Understanding basic architectural elements

Every building is made up of unique details and component parts that come together to give a building its unique, architectural style. When describing a building, or an architectural style, it’s important to have the vocabulary to properly describe what you’re seeing. So here’s a quick primer. The list is by no means exhaustive, but hopefully covers some of the more common architectural elements:

• Facade: The main exterior face of a building.
• Foundation: The base that supports the structure.
• Architrave: This most often refers to the decorative, moulded frame of a door or window.
• Cornices: Horizontal decorative moulding at the top of walls.
• Skirting: Horizontal decorative moulding at the bottom of walls.
• Columns or Pillars: Vertical supporting elements that transmit the force of the elements above to what is below. If these take the form of a female figure, then they are known as caryatids.
• Corbel: A bracket-like structural feature designed to hold the weight of what is above it. These are often decorative.
• Buttress: A structure built against a wall to prop up or reinforce the wall. Usually these look like flat ramps on the outside of a building, but a flying buttress looks visually like an arch and are used when a building has a vaulted ceiling.
• Pilasters: Decorative columns that appear to be embedded in walls that can either be decorative or load-bearing.
• Gable: A triangular section of a wall between the sides of a sloped roof.
• Pediment: In classical architecture, a triangular gable is called a pediment.
• Finial: An object that marks the top, or end, of an architectural element, often used to decorate domes, towers, or gables.
• Dormer: A structural element that protrudes vertically from a roof. These offer additional headroom or light into the roof space and can be added to a building post-construction.
• Coping: The capping or covering of a wall to give it a finished look.
• Cupolas: Small dome-like structures placed on roofs.
• Baluster: A small moulded shaft that supports a handrail of a staircase, balcony, or parapet. A series of balusters are called a balustrade.
• Arches: Curved structures spanning openings that can support weight.
• Moulding: A decorative finishing strip (architrave, cornices, and skirting are all a type of moulding).

Common architectural styles

Architectural styles are incredibly varied, but we tend to talk about only a select few that have been influential internationally, which are often quite Euro-centric. There are lots of incredible styles that are worth your time and research, however I’ve outlined some of the most common styles you may have heard about below so you have an idea of what to look out for:

• Baroque: Characterised by highly decorative and theatrical features, the Baroque architectural style originated in Italy during the late 16th century and expanded throughout Europe. Designed to amaze, it used visual and theatrical effects, including domes, painted ceilings, grand staircases, mirrors, sculptures, columns, and oval rooms.
• Romanesque: There have been several Romanesque movements, but the first took hold in Europe from the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th century. Characterised by thick walls and bare facades, its interiors were richly decorated with frescoes.
• Gothic: Gothic architecture was a popular style in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, lasting even longer in some places. The term “Gothic” was first used as an insult during the Renaissance by people who preferred classical designs. Gothic architecture is known for its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. It also includes detailed stonework and colourful stained glass windows, making Gothic buildings both elegant and imposing.
• Neoclassical: Neoclassical architecture, as the name implies, is a revival of Classical architectural styles, drawing inspiration from Greek and Roman designs. Buildings from the 18th century often resembled Greek and Roman temples. This style is characterised by clean, elegant lines, a simple and uncluttered look, free-standing columns, and large, imposing structures.
• Brutalist: Brutalist architecture emerged in the 1950s in the United Kingdom as part of post-war reconstruction efforts. This style is defined by its minimalist approach, emphasising raw building materials and structural elements rather than decorative designs. Brutalist buildings often feature exposed, unpainted concrete or brick, sharp geometric shapes, and a mostly monochromatic colour palette. Steel, timber, and glass are also commonly used in these constructions.

So how do you write it?

Focus on distinctive features

• Identify unique architectural elements.
• Highlight unusual materials or colours.
• Are there any historical modifications that change the look and feel?
• Has the building sustained any damage, or is there any wear and tear?
• Emphasise scale. Which parts of the building are meant to look large and imposing, and which are more designed to be small and invisible?
• Consider the building’s relationship with its surroundings. Does it complement or contrast with neighbouring structures?
• What is the building’s function and how does its design serve that purpose?
• What is the overall impression or emotional response the building evokes?
• Pay attention to lighting, both natural and artificial, and how it interacts with the structure.
• Highlight any significant architectural patterns or repetitive elements.
• Examine how people interact with and move through the space.

How does it look?

• How does the light interact with the building’s surfaces at different times of day and in different weather?
• What kind of shadows does it cast, and do these change?
• What kind of colour variation is there in the construction?
• Are there any distinctive weathering or age marks?
• How does the surrounding environment reflect in its windows?
• Is there any plant life growing on or around it?
• What distinctive architectural patterns stand out?

How does it feel?

• What texture does it have? Is it made of stone, brick, wood, or some other more material?
• What is the temperature of the surface? Is this in keeping with its surroundings or is this unusual? If so, why?
• You can show the passage of time with how smooth certain elements are. Handrails, walls, and steps can all be worn down. Are these elements worn, or crisp and angular?
• Are walls smooth or rough to the touch? What does this say about what happens to the building? This could be through the passage of time, exposure to the elements, or the social lives of those who exist in or around it.
• Is there any moisture on the walls? Is this expected? What does it say about the general state of repair?
• How does the wind and the air move around the building? Are the wind tunnels, or is the air surprisingly still?

How does it sound?

• Does sound echo when it bounces off the walls or is it dulled?
• What sound does the air make when it interacts with different surfaces?
• Does it have any distinctive sounds, like creaking floors or banging pipes?
• How do footsteps sound on different surfaces?
• Are there any building-specific sounds like the ringing of bell towers or chimes?
• Are there natural sounds associated with the building, like the scurrying of insects and small animals on a garden roof?

Research and worldbuilding

Whether you’re writing a fantasy building or describing one in the real world, you’ll probably need to have at least a passing understanding of architectural terms. Your readers have a specific frame of reference, so you need to ensure you use descriptions they can understand. A hobbit hole may be a fictional building, but it is still constructed and described in a way that readers can engage with. With that in mind, these research and worldbuilding techniques will help you on the way:

• Research appropriate architectural terms. Don’t get bogged down in details, but make sure you’re using the right word to describe the right thing.
• Understand basic construction methods. If you’re writing about real-world buildings, then understanding how they’re built is essential. You don’t want to describe a timber frame in a building that is traditionally constructed with the steel frame. If you’re describing a fantasy building, then you need to have an idea of how these are constructed within the constraints of your story world, and stay consistent. It’s also important to determine if different buildings have different construction. After all, a hobbit hole requires a very different construction from Elrond’s house in Rivendell.
• Learn about (or invent) local building materials and determine if they’re used in construction, or if materials are imported.
• Consider historical context and regional influences for the buildings you’re describing.
• Make sure your building has a function. There’s a difference between describing a specific building, or just using a general description for the style of an area. If you’re being specific, then make sure there’s a reason for that specificity.

Common mistakes to avoid.

• Don’t overuse technical terms. When you’ve done the research, it’s natural to want to show off that knowledge, but it’s usually not going to be interesting to readers. It’s important information for you to know so that you can use the right words and means to describe something, but if it’s not plot-relevant, technical jargon isn’t all that useful.
• Don’t ignore the human scale. A building is only as useful as the purpose it serves. Never lose sight of the fact that the characters will need to interact with it.
• Make sure you remember the environmental context. No building exists in a microcosm, so be sure to fit it into its surroundings.
• Don’t overlook a building’s cultural significance. In the grand scale of your narrative, it means something. This could be anything from historical to social. But if the building is important enough to describe, then there are important reasons why it is the way it is.

Remember that buildings are more than just structures; they’re repositories of history, culture, and experience. Your descriptions should capture not just their physical appearance, but their role in the story and their impact on characters and plot.