oq-gem

Glossary for gem taxonomy

Authors: Luke Allen, Andrew Charleson, Svetlana Brzev, and Charles Scawthorn

This online Glossary explains around 400 terms contained in the GEM Building Taxonomy v 2.0 and nearly 700 images.

The terms have been listed in alphabetical and numerical order. Text description of each term is accompanied by illustrations (photos and/or drawings) where possible.

We welcome contributions in the form of photographs or images, illustrating glossary terms. If you have any questions you can also contact us at buildingtaxonomy@globalquakemodel.org


The building footprint is a round shape; circular, elliptical, or ovoid, and it has an interior open courtyard (whether roofed or not).

PLFCO_Beijing_China_GoogleEarth_1

Beijing National Stadium (also known as the Bird's Nest) has a circular plan shape with an opening (Map data ©2013 Google, DigitalGlobe)