#29 Architectural Site Terms for "Joints and Intersections" That Puzzle Architectural CG Visualizers
Introduction
In the previous article, we organized the architectural terms related to "dimensions and standards" that visualizers frequently encounter during architectural CG production.
Center-to-center, inner dimensions, effective dimensions...
These are terms used as a matter of course in drawings and meetings, but they are actually words that are easy to move forward with while only "thinking you understand them."
On the other hand, what often becomes confusing when producing interior visuals is the discussion of details.
"I want you to show this so that the joint is clear."
"Please express this intersection as if it's being eased."
"Please make sure the flush relationship looks aligned in the perspective as well."
I've heard the words.
I roughly understand the meaning.
However, what nuance is being used, and how much should I interpret is difficult to judge without experience.
Therefore, in this article, as the second part of the series, we will take up architectural terms related to "joints and intersections".
Even if you don't have many opportunities to stand on an actual construction site, we will focus on and organize meanings and common usage of words that will definitely come up during meetings and the exchange of drawings.
The goal is not to be able to speak professionally.
The goal is to make it easier to read the design intent and to create a foundation so that "the conversation doesn't stop."
As a deeper phase that comes after dimensions and standards, I hope you will continue to read this "Joints and Intersections Edition."
Now, let's take a look in order.
Click here for the first part of the series, "Dimensions and Standards"
Flush (Turaichi/Men-ichi)
A joint where the surfaces of different members or finishes are aligned on the same plane.
Used when you want to make it look clean in terms of design or when you want to emphasize a line.
Flush is established not only by "appearance" but also by including substrate thickness, finish thickness, and construction error.
In architectural CG, it can be easily aligned, but in reality, it is difficult to finish the surfaces of two materials on the same plane, and it is often eased by taking a small surface.
Phrases of usage
"I want to finish this flush."
"Is this part really flush?"
"This is a detail that assumes it is flush."
Similar term: Zoro (Aligned)
In-plane/Surface-center (Men-uchi/Men-naka)
Relative to the reference surface,
・Men-nai (In-plane): Recessed inward
・Men-chu (Center-plane): Positioned at the center
These are terms that indicate positional relationships. They are used to share "which surface is the reference" rather than just dimensions.
Used to share "which surface is the reference" rather than just dimensions.
Phrases of usage
“This is finished in the center-plane.”
“Please do this in the in-plane.”
“The threshold is an in-plane finish.”
Zoro (Flush/Aligned)
A site term referring to a state where multiple members or lines are aligned on the same line. It is close in meaning to "men-ichi" (flush), but is often used as a more
casual conversational expression.
Rather than a strict specification on a drawing, in visual production, it carries the nuance of "wanting to align them."
Phrases of usage
“Let’s go with this line flush (zoro).”
“Everything there is flush (zoro), right?”
“Please check if it’s flush (zoro).”
Mitsuke (Face Width)
A term referring to the actual visible width or thicknesswhen looking at window frames, door frames, or pillars from the front. Since the same dimension can look thicker or thinner depending on the position and surroundings, it is an important word for design adjustments.
There is a similar term called "miegakari" (visible surface). The distinction is that "mitsuke" is used when looking from the front, while "miegakari" is used when looking from an angle or from below.
Phrases of usage
“I want to make the mitsuke larger.”
“Please check the mitsuke balance.”
“I want to reduce the mitsuke a little more.”
Mikomi (Depth)
Refers to the depth of the sidethat becomes visible when viewed from the front (mitsuke).
It significantly affects the impression of three-dimensionality and layering.
It is used in conjunction with mitsuke as a term to separate the appearance of the "front" and the "side."
Phrases of usage
“This member has a deep mikomi.”
“The mikomi is too small.”
“Can you reduce the mikomi here?”
Chiri (Reveal/Offset)
A term referring to small steps, gaps, or misalignments that occur between members.
It is an important element in terms of both function and design, serving to absorb the expansion/contraction of members and construction errors, as well as to make the joint look beautiful.
If you omit these gaps too much in architectural CG, it tends to look like a flat, two-dimensional representation, so it is essential to express them in photorealistic works.
Phrases of usage
"There is a gap here."
"Please check how the gap looks."
"This gap is for design purposes."
* "Chiri-dashi" (protruding gap): Installing a door frame so that it protrudes from the wall surface.
* Conversely, installing a door frame so that it is recessed from the wall surface is called "Gyaku-chiri" (reverse gap).
Koguchi / Koba (End face / Edge)
The end face or cross-section of a member.
The impression changes significantly depending on whether it is finished or not.
The narrower side in the longitudinal direction is called Koba (edge).
Phrases of usage
"Please chamfer the edge."
"The end face should also be painted."
"Please make sure the end face does not smile."
* While "Kiguchi/Koba" refers to the cross-section of wood, "Koguchi/Koba" refers to the end face regardless of the material type.
Tsukitsuke (Butt joint)
A joint where members are placed directly against each other without any gap.
Also called "don-zuke." Because it requires high construction precision, the conditions for its success are strict.
While it is a simple task in architectural CG, it is often a joint to be avoided on actual construction sites.
Flush, it is often relieved (given a tolerance).
Phrases of usage
"This is a butt joint."
"A butt joint is difficult to construct."
"This joint assumes a butt joint."
Mesukashi (Reveal joint)
A joint where an intentional gap is provided at the seam between members.
A ceiling with reveal joints is called a "reveal joint ceiling."
Even if the dimensions are small, it greatly influences the design impression.
Phrases of usage
"I want to add a reveal joint here."
"What is the width of the reveal joint?"
"Let's process it with a reveal joint."
Miter / Butt (Tome / Imo)
A "miter" (tome) refers to joining two members by cutting them at a 45-degree angle.
The finish is clean, but it increases construction precision requirements and costs.
In contrast, a "butt" (imo) is a simple joint where members are just attached, making it overwhelmingly common for everyday joints.
However, a "miter" is not necessarily superior; because it requires delicate processing, it has the disadvantages of making slight misalignments noticeable and being prone to chipping.
Phrases for usage
"Let's go with a miter here."
"Please use a miter for visible areas."
"Can we change this corner to a miter instead of a butt?"
Chamfering (Mentori)
Removing the sharp edges of a member and processing them into smooth angled or rounded shapes.
A treatment intended for safety, finish protection, and aesthetic softness.
In the construction industry, common types include angled chamfers (leaving the corner), rounded chamfers (rounding the corner), and thread chamfers (a fine 2-3mm edge removal).
In architectural CG, these are sometimes made larger than actual dimensions to emphasize visibility.
Phrases for usage
"Please make this a rounded chamfer."
"What are the chamfer dimensions?"
"A thread chamfer is fine."
Vertical Priority / Horizontal Priority (Tate-gachi / Yoko-gachi)
A "joint rule" for whether to prioritize the vertical line or the horizontal line.joint rule.
Frequently appears in both exterior and interior work.
In architectural CG,
the impression changes depending on which one is given priority.
Phrases for usage
"This is vertical priority."
"I want to prioritize the horizontal line."
"Is this vertical or horizontal priority?"
Nige (Clearance/Allowance)
The "minimum necessary allowance dimensions" provided between members or moving parts.minimum necessary allowance dimensions.
These are secured to account for construction errors, movement, and maintenance, and differ in meaning from margins used to adjust appearance.
On the design side, these are often treated as prerequisites, and even if the numerical value is not explicitly stated, it is often shared by saying "there is a nige (allowance)."
* [Similar terms] No. 1: "Clearance"
While this is the most common and technical term for a "gap," "nige" often refers to allowance dimensions in construction or processing.
* [Similar terms] No. 2: "Play" (Asobi)
Adjustment allowance for moving parts or installation. Often used in a more functional context than "nige."
"Nige" is often used for allowances in non-moving parts, while "play" is used for allowances in moving parts.
Phrases for usage
"With this joint, we need more allowance (nige)."
"I think a larger clearance is better."
"We have provided play here."
Fukasu (Furring out)
The act of bringing columns, walls, ceilings, etc., further forward than their designated plane is called "fukashi" (furring out).
It refers to increasing dimensions or adding thickness, and is written with the kanji for "to add."
Construction methods vary depending on the structure, such as building a substrate with wood or adding concrete layers.
There are various situations and purposes for "fukasu," such as design-based furring to make things look clean, or functional furring to house equipment piping.
Phrases of usage
"The wall is furred out here."
"Please account for the furring thickness."
"Furring is necessary for the equipment."
Warau (Laughing) / Koboreru (Spilling)
This refers to a state where agap, step, or uneven condition occursin a surface that should be flat or at an intersection where no gaps should exist.
It collectively describes states such as tile joints opening, paint peeling or becoming uneven, or the cross-section of a material that should be hidden becoming visible.
In particular, "koboreru" often refers to a state where theend grain (cross-section of the material)is exposed in tiles, stone, or wood parts.
Warau (Laughing)
A general state where the finished surface is uneven, resulting in gaps or steps.
Includes the nuance that construction precision is low or the joint detailing is poor.Koboreru (Spilling)
Mainly a state where the end grain or cross-section is visible.
Often used as a critique that "a part that should not be visible is showing."
Phrases of usage
"Please make sure the tile joints don't 'laugh' (gap)."
"Please install a support member so it doesn't 'spill' (expose the edge)."
"The baseboard is 'spilling' (protruding) from the frame."
Irizumi (Inside Corner)
A corner where two surfacesintersect as if folding inwardon a building wall or board.
Refers to the "recessed" corner between walls, or between a wall and a ceiling.
Phrases of usage
"The inside corner is dark, so please shine a light on it."
"The accent wallpaper goes up to this inside corner."
"What is the dimension to the inside corner?"
Dezumi (Outside Corner)
A term paired with irizumi, referring to a corner where two surfacesintersect as if protruding outward.
It is the "protruding" side of a wall corner, where reinforcement or the selection of edge trim is important because it is easily damaged.
A part where the straightness of finishes like wallpaper, paint, or tiles is particularly noticeable.
Phrases of usage
"Please make the outside corner rounded (R)."
"The outside corner will be finished with a corner bead."
"Please place the furniture about 1000mm away from the outside corner."
Summary | Terms for "Joints and Intersections" are a "Common Language for Correctly Imagining the Finished Product"
The terms for "joints and intersections" covered here are words used to share the finished state that is difficult to convey through drawings alone.
Rather than specialized knowledge, these are more like a "common language" for understanding what state is good and what state is unacceptable from the same perspective as the construction site.
In a visualizer's work, how realistically the finished product is reproduced greatly influences the persuasiveness of the work.
Knowing the terminology for joints makes it easier to read client feedback and the nuances of the construction site, allowing you to naturally grasp "what they are concerned about" and "where you should draw with care."
What a visualizer needs is not the knowledge to become a designer or a carpenter. It is simply to be in a state where you can receive the same words with the same meaning.
Being able to receive words with the same meaning as the construction site—that alone will make sharing the image of the finished product smoother.
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