For many architects writing is an integral part of the design process, one that clarifies or pushes ideas into places sketches can't always reach. But for many, the origins of the words we use to explain and classify our work are a mystery. A look at their origins and derivations offers insight - occasionally surprising - into the evolution of architectural language. 

Courtesy of Fabián Dejtiar

For many architects writing is an integral part of the design process, one that clarifies or pushes ideas into places sketches can't always reach. But for many, the origins of the words we use to explain and classify our work are a mystery. A look at their origins and derivations offers insight - occasionally surprising - into the evolution of architectural language. Architect "Architect" comes from the latin word architectus which comes from the Greek ?????????? (architékt?n). Architékt?n is composed of two parts: ???? (archi: to be the first, who commands) and ?????? (tecton: mason, builder). That is, the boss who sends the masons.Brutalism "Brutalism" comes from the French term béton-brut, which means ?crude or raw concrete.? The word béton is used in both France and Germany to refer to concrete, which possibly comes from the Latin word bitumen (Betún), which is considered one of the first agglomerates of the primitive constructive mixtures in ancient Persia and Mesopotamia.BuildingThe noun "building" comes from t...