Glossary of Common Definitions, Acronyms, and Fields

Architectural Medicine includes the integration of many different fields and professions.The following Glossary of Common Definitions, Acronyms, and Fields is provided to help navigate the sophisticated nomenclature in both the Architecture and Medical fields.

You can also hover over some words throughout the site that have a dotted underscore, which will show a definition as a tooltip. All Glossary terms are defined from Wikipedia, unless otherwise noted.

Looking for a more in depth list of Architecture abbreviations?
Click here to go to ArchToolBox.com for more Architecture abbreviations
Looking for a more in depth list of Medical abbreviations?
Click here to go to Wikipedia’s full list of Medical Abbreviations

Share This
  • UMLS - The Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) is a compendium of many controlled vocabularies in the biomedical sciences (created 1986). It provides a mapping structure among these vocabularies and thus allows one to translate among the various terminology systems; it may also be viewed as(...)
  • ACH - Air Changes per Hour, abbreviated ACPH or ACH, or air change rate is a measure of the air volume added to or removed from a space (normally a room or house) divided by the volume of the space. If the air in the space is either uniform or perfectly mixed, air changes per hour is a measure(...)
  • ACHA is an acronym for The American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA), which provides board certification and professional development for architects who specialize in health care. ACHA requires its certificate holders to work toward the improvement of health care architecture.
  • American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM)
  • Active solar energy systems use the same principles as passive systems except that they use a fluid (such as water) to absorb the heat.(1) Solar hot water systems use pumps or fans to circulate fluid or air, through solar collectors, and are therefore classified under Active Solar technology.(...)
  • Acute: Of abrupt onset, in reference to a disease. Acute often also connotes an illness that is of short duration, rapidly progressive, and in need of urgent care. Sudden but usually short (e.g., acute illness) (medicinenet.com)
  • AEC is the acronym for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC).
  • AIA is an acronym for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture(...)
  • Allergen: A substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Common allergens include ragweed pollen, animal dander, and mold. An allergen is a type of antigen that produces an abnormally vigorous immune response in which the immune system fights off a perceived threat that would otherwise be(...)
  • AMA is an acronym for The American Medical Association (AMA), it is the largest association of physicians—both MDs and DOs—and medical students in the United States. Their purpose is "To Promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health".
  • Ambient Computing also known as Ubiquitous computing (or "ubicomp") – is a concept in software engineering and computer science where computing is made to appear anytime and everywhere. In contrast to desktop computing, ubiquitous computing can occur using any device, in any location, and in(...)
  • APA - The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is the main professional organization of psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists in the United States, and the largest psychiatric organization in the world. Its some 38,800 members are mainly American but some are international. The association(...)
  • Archeoastronomy (also spelled Archaeoastronomy ) is the interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary study of how people in the past "have understood the phenomena in the sky, how they used these phenomena and what role the sky played in their cultures". [1] The branch of archaeology that deals with(...)
  • The Architectural Doctor is a new concept that combines the focus of a Medical Doctor and that of an Architect to consider and evaluate how the built environment may be impacting the health of a patient/client.
  • The focus of Architectural Medicine is in researching the impact and influence that the built environment has on human health and well being – mentally, physically, and emotionally.
  • Architectural Psychology is the study of interactions and interrelationships between humans (both individually and collectively) and their physical environment. http://www.apex1design.com/?page_id=48
  • Architecture is both the process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings or any other structures.
  • Asbestos: A natural material made up of tiny fibers that is used as thermal insulation. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to asbestosis and mesothelioma. (medicinenet.com)
  • Asbestosis: A condition featuring scarring of the lungs caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. Asbestosis is irreversible. Asbestosis can also lead to lung cancer or to mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining on the surface of the lung. (medicinenet.com)
  • ASHRAE is an acronym for The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). It is an American professional association seeking to advance heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems design and construction.
  • Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narrow the airways, creating breathing difficulties that may range from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. The diagnosis of asthma is based on(...)
  • An Autoimmune Disease is a condition arising from an abnormal immune response to a normal body part. Common symptoms include low grade fever and feeling tired. The cause is generally unknown. An illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system(...)
  • An Autonomous Building is a building designed to be operated independently from infrastructural support services such as the electric power grid, gas grid, municipal water systems, sewage treatment systems, storm drains, communication services, and in some cases, public roads. Advocates of(...)
  • Benign: Not malignant. A benign tumor is one that does not invade surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body; it is not a cancer. (medicinenet.com)
  • Big data is a field that treats ways to analyze, systematically extract information from, or otherwise deal with data sets that are too large or complex to be dealt with by traditional data-processing application software. Current usage of the term big data tends to refer to the use of(...)
  • BIM is the acronym for Building Information Modeling (BIM). It is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as(...)
  • Bioaerosols (short for biological aerosols) are a subcategory of particles released from terrestrial and marine ecosystems into the atmosphere. They consist of both living and non-living components including organisms, dispersal methods of organisms, and excretions. The aerosolization of(...)
  • Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for understanding biological data. As an interdisciplinary field of science, bioinformatics combines biology, computer science, information engineering, mathematics and statistics to analyze and interpret(...)
  • Biology is the natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their physical structure, chemical processes, molecular interactions, physiological mechanisms, development and evolution.
  • Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for cancer cells or other abnormalities. (medicinenet.com)
  • BRI - is an acronym for Building Related Illness. Building-Related Illness is vital to the overall understanding of Sick Building Syndrome because BRI illustrates a causal path to infection, theoretically. As an example, in some cases, simply improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a(...)
  • A Building, or edifice, is a structure with a roof and walls standing more or less permanently in one place, such as a house or factory. Buildings come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and functions, and have been adapted throughout history for a wide number of factors, from building materials(...)
  • CAD - is the acronym for Computer-Aided Design
  • CAD, CAM and CAE are all related to the “Computer-Aided” processes of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering, respectively: Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)
  • CAE - is the acronym for Computer-Aided Engineering
  • CAM - is the acronym for Computer-Aided Manufacturing.
  • Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans. Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Other factors(...)
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading national public health institute of the United States. Its main goal is to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and internationally. The CDC focuses(...)
  • CHR is an acronym for either Comprehensive Health Records (CHR) or a Community Health Record (CHR). The first is defined as "a solution that collects a comprehensive health data set generated by multiple sources." (1)  .The second terms "is a bit like an EHR and a personal health record. It(...)
  • Chronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months or more. Chronic diseases are in contrast to those that are acute (abrupt, sharp, and brief) or subacute (within the interval between acute and chronic). (medicinenet.com)
  • CNC - Is the acronym for Computer Numerical Control, which is the automated control of machining tools and 3D printers by means of a computer. A CNC machine is a motorized maneuverable tool and often a motorized maneuverable platform, which are both controlled by a computer, according to(...)
  • Construction is the process of constructing a building or infrastructure. Construction differs from manufacturing in that manufacturing typically involves mass production of similar items without a designated purchaser, while construction typically takes place on location for a known client.(...)
  • A CT scan or computed tomography scan (formerly computerized axial tomography scan or CAT scan) makes use of computer-processed combinations of many X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional (tomographic) images (virtual "slices") of specific areas of a scanned(...)
  • DICOM - Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is the standard for the communication and management of medical imaging information and related data. DICOM is most commonly used for storing and transmitting medical images enabling the integration of medical imaging devices such(...)
  • Digital architecture has a few different definitions. One is that Digital architecture allows complex calculations that delimit architects and allow a diverse range of complex forms to be created with great ease using computer algorithms. Another is a terminology used to apply to digital skins(...)
  • Disease: Illness or sickness characterized by specific signs and symptoms. A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of part or all of an organism, and that is not due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical conditions(...)
  • DSM - The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (latest edition: the DSM-5, published in 2013) is a publication for the classification of mental disorders using a common language and standard criteria. The DSM codifies psychiatric conditions and is used worldwide as a(...)
  • A Digital Twin (DT) is a virtual representation of a real-world physical system or process (a physical twin) that serves as its indistinguishable digital counterpart of it for practical purposes, such as system simulation, integration, testing, monitoring, and maintenance.
  • An Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is any practice that relies on scientific evidence for guidance and decision-making. Research into the evidence-based practice of science is called metascience.
  • Ecology is a branch of biology that studies the interactions among organisms and their biophysical environment, which includes both biotic and abiotic components. Topics of interest include the biodiversity, distribution, biomass, and populations of organisms, as well as cooperation and(...)
  • An Ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system.
  • An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is the systematized collection of patient and population electronically-stored health information in a digital format. Records are shared through network-connected, enterprise-wide information systems or other information networks and exchanges. EHRs may(...)
  • The Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a noninvasive test that is used to reflect underlying heart conditions by measuring the electrical activity of the heart. By positioning leads (electrical sensing devices) on the body in standardized locations, information about many heart conditions can(...)
  • An electromagnetic field (EMF or EM field) is a magnetic field produced by moving electrically charged objects. The field can be viewed as the combination of an electric field and a magnetic field. The electric field is produced by stationary charges, and the magnetic field by moving charges(...)
  • EMR is an acronym for Electronic Medical Record (EMR). It is often referred to as an Electronic Health Record (EHR).
  • Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where), patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is the cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for(...)
  • Epidermis: The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin. The epidermis is mostly made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. Under the squamous cells are round cells called basal cells. The deepest part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes.(...)
  • Etiology: The study of causes, as in the causes of a disease. The form aetiology is generally used in the UK. (medicinenet.com)
  • The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is a decentralised agency of the European Union with the task of collecting, analysing and disseminating relevant information that can serve the needs of people involved in safety and health at work.
  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging or functional MRI (fMRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow. This technique relies on the fact that cerebral blood flow and neuronal activation are coupled. When an area of the brain is in use, blood flow to that region(...)
  • Geothermal power is power generated by geothermal energy. Technologies in use include dry steam power stations, flash steam power stations and binary cycle power stations. Geothermal power stations are similar to other steam turbine thermal power stations in that heat from a fuel source (in(...)
  • Green (also referred to as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, environmentally friendly or environment-friendly) are sustainability and marketing terms referring to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies that claim reduced, minimal, or no harm upon ecosystems or the environment.
  • Health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in which disease and infirmity are absent.
  • HIMSS is the acronym for The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). It is an American not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care in quality, safety, cost-effectiveness, and access through the best use of information technology and management systems.
  • HIT is an acronym for Health Information Technology (HIT). It is information technology applied to health and health care. It supports health information management across computerized systems and the secure exchange of health information between consumers, providers, payers, and quality monitors.
  • Holistic or Holism is the idea that various systems (e.g. physical, biological, social) should be viewed as wholes, not merely as a collection of parts. It may also be spelled "wholism", and it may be contrasted with reductionism or atomism. In the context of holistic medicine, "holism" refers(...)
  • HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). It is the technology of indoor and vehicular environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality.
  • Hydroelectricity is electricity made by generators that are pushed by movement of water. It is usually made with dams that block a river to make a reservoir or collect water that is pumped there. When the water is released, the pressure behind the dam forces the water down pipes that lead to a(...)
  • Hypertension: Also known as high blood pressure is, by definition, a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 or a diastolic pressure above 90. (medicinenet.com)
  • Hypotension: Any blood pressure that is below the normal expected for an individual in a given environment. Hypotension is the opposite of hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure). (medicinenet.com)
  • IAQ - Is the acronym Indoor Air Quality, and is defined as the air quality within and around buildings and structures. IAQ is known to affect the health, comfort and well-being of building occupants.
  • ICD - The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a globally used diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management and clinical purposes. The ICD is maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United(...)
  • The Immune System is a host defense system comprising many biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease. To function properly, an immune system must detect a wide variety of agents, known as pathogens, from viruses to parasitic worms, and distinguish(...)
  • Inpatient: A patient whose care requires a stay in a hospital. As opposed to an outpatient. A plan to stay overnight for one or more days. (medicinenet.com)
  • Building insulation is any object in a building used as insulation for any purpose. While the majority of insulation in buildings is for thermal purposes, the term also applies to acoustic insulation, fire insulation, and impact insulation. Thermal insulation usually refers to the use of(...)
  • Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is an application of the IoT for medical and health related purposes, data collection and analysis for research, and monitoring. The IoMT has been referenced as "Smart Healthcare", as the technology for creating a digitized healthcare system, connecting(...)
  • The Internet of things (IoT) describes physical objects (or groups of such objects) with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.
  • LCA - is and acronym for Life Cycle Assessment. Life-cycle assessment is a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and(...)
  • Lesion: An area of abnormal tissue change. Lesions vary in severity from harmless to serious. Wound, sore, or cut.
  • The life sciences or biological sciences comprise the branches of science that involve the scientific study of life and organisms – such as microorganisms, plants, and animals including human beings. By definition, biology is the natural science that studies life and living organisms, with the(...)
  • LOINC - Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) is a database and universal standard for identifying medical laboratory observations. Since its inception, the database has expanded to include not just medical laboratory code names but also nursing diagnosis, nursing(...)
  • Malignant: Tending to be severe and become progressively worse, as in malignant hypertension. Cancerous. (medicinenet.com)
  • MBD or DPD is an acronym for Model-Based Definition (MBD) or Digital Product Definition (DPD). In MBD, the information captured by the CAD software app is fed automatically into a CAM app (computer-aided manufacturing), which (with or without postprocessing apps) creates code in other(...)
  • MCS or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity was defined in a 2017 scientific review as "a complex syndrome that manifests as a result of exposure to a low level of various common contaminants." Chemicals that are common triggers for MCS symptoms include pesticides, petrochemicals, formaldehyde and(...)
  • Medical Imaging is the technique and process of creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, as well as visual representation of the function of some organs or tissues (physiology). Medical imaging seeks to reveal internal structures(...)
  • Medicine is the science and practice of establishing the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.
  • Mesothelioma: A malignant tumor of the mesothelium, the thin lining of the surface of the body cavities and the organs that are contained within them. Most mesotheliomas begin as one or more nodules that progressively grow to form a solid coating of tumor surrounding the lung, abdominal(...)
  • Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, those being unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, parasitology, mycology and bacteriology.
  • Mold: One of a large group of fungi that can proliferate on food or in moist areas. Household mold is a common trigger for allergies. Stachybotrys chartarum also known as black mold or toxic black mold, is a variety of mold most often detected in cellulose-rich building materials from damp or(...)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body. MRI(...)
  • A Mycotoxin (from the Greek μύκης mykes, "fungus" and τοξικόν toxikon, "poison") is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus kingdom and is capable of causing disease and death in both humans and other animals. The term 'mycotoxin' is usually reserved for the toxic(...)
  • A Mycotoxin is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus kingdom and is capable of causing disease and death in both humans and other animals. The term 'mycotoxin' is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops. One mold(...)
  • Neuromorphic Architecture: the use of brain operating principles to quantify and enhance the intelligence of the built environment, adjust systems behavior and signal human intervention (http://www.anfarch.org/)
  • NIH - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research. It was founded in the late 1880s and is now part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The NIH conducts its own(...)
  • National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • NLM - The United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), operated by the United States federal government, is the world's largest medical library. The NLM is an institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its collections include more than seven million books, journals,(...)
  • Nomenclature is a system of names or terms, or the rules for forming these terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. A system of names used in a particular discipline, as in medicine and architecture. (medicinenet.com)
  • Noninvasive: Doesn’t require entering the body with instruments. Diagnostic techniques that do not involve the puncturing of the skin or incision, or the introduction into the body of foreign objects or materials, are known as non-invasive procedures.
  • Occupational safety and health (OSH), also commonly referred to as occupational health and safety (OHS), occupational health, or workplace health and safety (WHS), is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work. These terms also refer to the goals(...)
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. OSHA's mission is to "assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and(...)
  • OSI  - The Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model) is a conceptual model that characterises and standardises the communication functions of a telecommunication or computing system without regard to its underlying internal structure and technology. Its goal is the interoperability of(...)
  • Outpatient: A patient who is not hospitalized, but instead comes to a physician's office, clinic, or day surgery office for treatment. Check in and check out the same day. (medicinenet.com)
  • PACS - Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) is a medical imaging technology which provides economical storage and convenient access to images from multiple modalities (source machine types). Electronic images and reports are transmitted digitally via PACS; this eliminates the(...)
  • Parametric design is a process based on algorithmic thinking that enables the expression of parameters and rules that, together, define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response. It is often connected with curving designs, from the analogue designs of(...)
  • Particulates –  are microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. They have impacts on climate and precipitation that adversely affect human health, in addition to direct inhalation. The IARC and WHO designate airborne particulates a Group 1 carcinogen. Particulates are the most(...)
  • In Passive Solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does not(...)
  • Pathogenesis of a disease is the biological mechanism (or mechanisms) progress of disease showing its morphological features or that leads to the diseased state. The term can also describe the origin and development of the disease, and whether it is acute, chronic, or recurrent. The word comes(...)
  • In biology, a Pathogen in the oldest and broadest sense, is anything that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ. The scientific study of microscopic organisms, including microscopic pathogenic organisms, is called microbiology, while(...)
  • Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease or injury. The word pathology also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of bioscience research fields and medical practices. However, when used in the context of modern medical treatment, the term is(...)
  • Performance-Based Building Design is an approach to the design of any complexity of building. A building constructed in this way is required to meet certain measurable or predictable performance requirements, such as energy efficiency or seismic load, without a specific prescribed method by(...)
  • Phenomenology is both a current aspect of philosophy influencing contemporary architecture and a field of academic research into the experience of built space and of building materials in their sensory aspects.
  • PHR is an acronym for Personal Health Record (PHR). It is a health record where health data and other information related to the care of a patient is maintained by the patient. This stands in contrast to the more widely used Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Electronic Health Record (EHR),(...)
  • PLM is an acronym for Product Lifecycle Management. In industry, product lifecycle management (PLM) is the process of managing the entire lifecycle of a product from inception, through engineering design and manufacture, to service and disposal of manufactured products.
  • A Pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource. A pollutant may cause long- or short-term damage by changing the growth rate of plant or animal species, or by interfering with human amenities,(...)
  • Public Health has been defined as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the health of a population and the(...)
  • Photovoltaics (PV) is the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon studied in physics, photochemistry, and electrochemistry. A photovoltaic system employs solar modules, each comprising a number of solar cells, which(...)
  • Radiant heating are temperature-controlled surfaces that exchange heat with their surrounding environment through convection and radiation. It refers to panels or embedded building components (floors, ceilings or walls). It contrasts with other heating types including air-based and electrical(...)
  • Renewable Energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy often provides energy in four important areas: electricity generation, air and water(...)
  • Rewilding is large-scale conservation aimed at restoring and protecting natural processes and core wilderness areas, providing connectivity between such areas, and protecting or reintroducing apex predators and keystone species. The ultimate goal of rewilding efforts is to create ecosystems(...)
  • RxNorm - is US-specific terminology in medicine that contains all medications available on the US market. It can also be used in personal health records applications. RxNorm is part of Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) terminology and is maintained by the United States National Library of(...)
  • SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), formally referred to as recurrent depression with seasonal pattern, is a type of depression that tends to occur (and recur) as the days grow shorter in the fall and winter. It is believed that affected people react adversely to the decreasing amounts of(...)
  • SBS - is an acronym for Sick Building Syndrome, and is a medical condition where people in a building suffer from symptoms of illness or feel unwell for no apparent reason. The symptoms tend to increase in severity with the time people spend in the building, and improve over time or even(...)
  • Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) is defined by the World Health Organization as the "conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and(...)
  • Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. It is marked by inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. It is a type of pneumoconiosis. Silicosis (particularly the acute form) is characterized(...)
  • SIP is an acronym for Structural Insulated Panels. SIP is a sandwich structured composite, consisting of an insulating layer of rigid core sandwiched between two layers of structural board, used as a building material. The board can be that of sheet metal, plywood, cement, magnesium oxide(...)
  • A smart building uses its intelligence to collect actionable data from user devices, sensors, systems, and services on the premises.
  • SNOMED - The Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) is a systematic, computer-processable collection of medical terms, in human and veterinary medicine, to provide codes, terms, synonyms and definitions which cover anatomy, diseases, findings, procedures, microorganisms, substances,(...)
  • Sociobiology is a field of biology that aims to examine and explain social behavior in terms of evolution. It draws from disciplines including psychology, ethology, anthropology, evolution, zoology, archaeology, and population genetics. It argues that just as selection pressure led to animals(...)
  • The term "Solar Collector" commonly refers to a device for solar hot water heating, but may refer to large power generating installations such as solar parabolic troughs and solar towers or non water heating devices such as solar air heaters. A Solar Thermal Collector collects heat by(...)
  • Sustainability is the ability to exist constantly. In the 21st century, it refers generally to the capacity for the biosphere and human civilization to coexist. It is also defined as the process of people maintaining change in a homeostasis balanced environment, in which the exploitation of(...)
  • The simplest form of technology is the development and use of basic tools. Technology is the sum of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation. Technology can be the knowledge(...)
  • Scientifically, thermal mass is equivalent to thermal capacitance or heat capacity, the ability of a body to store thermal energy. In building design, thermal mass is a property of the mass of a building which enables it to store heat. For example, when outside temperatures are fluctuating(...)
  • Thermography is a non-invasive technology that can show imaging of temperature ranges in buildings that can help in energy analysis, as well as medical imaging analysis. Devices show graphic images (thermograms) of temperature differences in color coded zones, to measure heat loss and air(...)
  • Timber framing and "post-and-beam" construction are traditional methods of building with heavy timbers, creating structures using squared-off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs. It is commonplace in wooden buildings through the 19th century. The(...)
  • A Tooltip is used on this website as a Glossary reference and is a word that has an underscore, which will show a definition or "tip" when you hover over the word.
  • Stachybotrys chartarum also known as black mold or toxic black mold, is a variety of mold most often detected in cellulose-rich building materials from damp or water-damaged buildings. Stachybotrys chartarum (previously known as S. atra) and S. chlorohalonata, are known as "black mold" or(...)
  • Toxicology is a scientific discipline, overlapping with biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, that involves the study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms and the practice of diagnosing and treating exposures to toxins and toxicants.
  • Ubiquitous computing (or "ubicomp") also known as Ambient Computing – is a concept in software engineering and computer science where computing is made to appear anytime and everywhere. In contrast to desktop computing, ubiquitous computing can occur using any device, in any location, and in(...)
  • Ultrasonic devices are used to detect objects and measure distances. Ultrasound imaging or sonography is often used in medicine. In the nondestructive testing of products and structures, ultrasound is used to detect invisible flaws. Industrially, ultrasound is used for cleaning, mixing, and(...)
  • Urban sprawl or suburban sprawl mainly refers to the unrestricted growth in many urban areas of housing, commercial development, and roads over large expanses of land, with little concern for urban planning. In addition to describing a particular form of urbanization, the term also relates to(...)
  • VOC (or VOCs) is an acronym for Volatile Organic Compounds and are defined as organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature. They include both human-made and naturally occurring chemical compounds. Most scents or odors are of VOCs. Some VOCs are dangerous to(...)
  • Wearables also known as Wearable computers or body-borne computers, are small computing devices (nowadays usually electronic) that are worn under, with, or on top of clothing. The definition of 'wearable computer' may be narrow or broad, extending to smartphones or even ordinary wristwatches.(...)
  • WHO - is an acronym for The World Health Organization (WHO), and is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations(...)
  • Wind power or wind energy is the use of wind to provide the mechanical power through wind turbines to turn electric generators and traditionally to do other work, like milling or pumping. Wind power is a sustainable and renewable energy, and has a much smaller impact on the environment(...)
  • X-rays make up X-radiation, a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. X-ray wavelengths are shorter than those of UV rays and typically longer than those of gamma rays. Since Röntgen's discovery that X-rays can identify bone structures, X-rays have been used for medical imaging.(...)
  • A Zero-Energy Building (ZE), also known as a zero net energy (ZNE) building, net-zero energy building (NZEB). A net zero building is a building with zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable(...)