Swale: (baissière) A low, usually wet piece of land. Terrace: (terrasse) A flat level of land, often a component of a series of step-like flat levels on a slope. Thermal bridge: (pont thermique) An element made of a material that is a poor heat insulator and that is placed in an assembly (between other materials, or between interior and exterior). Truss: (ferme) A structural framework, made of either timber or metal, that is composed of individual members fastened together in a triangular arrangement. Understorey: (sous-étage) Underlying layer of vegetation, especially the plants that grow beneath a forest’s canopy. Vernacular: (vernaculaire) Indigenous, made locally by inhabitants; made using local materials and traditional methods of construction and ornament; specific to a region or location. Widow’s walk: (promenade des veuves ou plate-forme d’observation) A railed platform atop a roof, typically on a coastal house, that was used to look out for returning ships. Windbreak: (brise-vent) A row of tress or bushes planted to provide protection from the wind and, often, to prevent soil erosion.
256
REFERENCES