Collection by Olivia Martin

Improve Your Design Vocab

We searched through the Dwell archives to bring you our favorite lists of words you should know from building codes or restaurant jargon.

Prefab Parlance: From Kynar and Galvalume to SIPs, the terminology associated with prefab construction can be daunting. We asked a handful of architects and designers to help us build a prefab glossary of the top terms and definitions related to modular housing. Illustration by Tim Tomkinson
Prefab Parlance: From Kynar and Galvalume to SIPs, the terminology associated with prefab construction can be daunting. We asked a handful of architects and designers to help us build a prefab glossary of the top terms and definitions related to modular housing. Illustration by Tim Tomkinson
Modern Dining: You won’t get stuck on the wrong end of the communal table with this handy list. Illustration by Dan Williams
Modern Dining: You won’t get stuck on the wrong end of the communal table with this handy list. Illustration by Dan Williams
Product Design: You’ll be the star of the next charrette by throwing around some of these words. Illustration by Andrew Holder
Product Design: You’ll be the star of the next charrette by throwing around some of these words. Illustration by Andrew Holder