Arcade is a term in the field of architecture and design that refers to a covered passageway or walkway, typically lined with shops, stalls, or other commercial establishments. Originating from the Latin word arcus, meaning arch, the arcade design features a series of arches supported by columns, piers, or pillars, creating a sheltered pedestrian thoroughfare. This architectural form has been employed since ancient times, with notable examples found in Greek and Roman structures, and has evolved throughout history to serve various purposes, from providing shelter and facilitating commerce to serving as a social gathering space. In the realm of urban design, arcades have played a significant role in shaping the character and functionality of cities, offering a unique blend of architectural aesthetics and practical utility. The arcade concept has been adapted to suit different cultural contexts and architectural styles, ranging from the ornate Victorian-era shopping arcades of Europe to the modern, minimalist designs found in contemporary urban landscapes. Beyond their functional role, arcades have also served as important cultural and social hubs, fostering a sense of community and providing a space for interaction and leisure activities. Today, the arcade concept continues to inspire architects and designers, who seek to create engaging, pedestrian-friendly environments that seamlessly integrate commercial, social, and aesthetic considerations.
covered passageway, pedestrian walkway, arched colonnade, shopping gallery, sheltered promenade, urban design element, architectural feature
An arcade is a type of architectural structure that has been used since antiquity, originally being found in places like the Greek agora and Roman forum. It is characterized by a covered walkway usually made of handsome stone, timber, or metal along the sides, spanned by a succession of arches, vaults, and columns that provide support to the building and often have a decorative effect. Arcades can be used to create a free-standing walkway, or to provide a covered passage between two buildings. Additionally, arcades can be used to create an outdoor space with a unique and visually appealing aesthetic. They are often used in combination with other architectural elements, such as columns or balustrades, to create a more unified and complete look. Arcades can be found in a variety of settings, from historic cities to suburban shopping centers. While the original form of arcade was a shopping mall of sorts, modern arcades often incorporate a mix of entertainment and retail, allowing for a much more relaxed shopping experience. Arcades often feature a variety of attractions including amusement parks, bowling alleys, video arcades, and even movie theaters. The word arcade is derived from the Italian arca, meaning a chest or repository, and was originally used to refer to a series of covered walkways or corridors that were built around Italian squares. This term has since expanded to refer to a variety of commercial facilities and locations. The semantic range of the word is related to the idea of a ‘passage’ and includes building, leisure and gaming contexts. In the gaming industry, an arcade is a venue where people can play video games, pinball machines, and other arcade games. These venues were particularly popular in the 1980s and 1990s, but have since declined in popularity due to the rise of home gaming consoles and online gaming. However, there are still many arcades in operation today, particularly in tourist areas and urban centers.
architecture, covered walkway, entertainment, gaming, shopping
CITATION : "Nicholas Smith. 'Arcade.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=389348 (Accessed on December 03, 2024)"
Architectural arcades, which originated in the mid-nineteenth century, are structures of tall, continuous, multi-story rows of columns or arches that support a roof. They are often lined with shops, cafes and other retail establishments, often creating a sheltered pathway for pedestrians. Arcades can be found in a variety of settings, from historic cities to suburban shopping centers. While the original form of arcade was a shopping mall of sorts, modern arcades often incorporate a mix of entertainment and retail, allowing for a much more relaxed shopping experience. Arcades often feature a variety of attractions including amusement parks, bowling alleys, video arcades, and even movie theaters.
Verticality, Aesthetic, Urban, Shopping, Entertainment.
Architecturally, an Arcade is an open space that is covered by a continuous line of arches or arched openings. Such a space serves as a protected passage for people to move from one place to another and is typically used in conjunction with other architectural elements such as walls, columns, and vaults. An arcade usually includes a series of arches, each with a different height and span, which form a regular pattern of openings. These arches can be constructed from various materials, including stone, brick, or steel, and can be configured in various configurations, depending on the purpose of the arcade and the surrounding architecture.
Portal, Colonnade, Gallery, Aisle, Nave
The term Arcade is used in architecture to describe a series of arches that support a roof or ceiling, or the series of arches themselves. Generally, an arcade is a sequence of arches, which may be either blind or open. Blind arches are those that are solid and have no openings, while open arches have openings for windows or doors in them. An arcade may be constructed of stone, brick, concrete, or other materials and is commonly found in churches, mosques, and other religious buildings. The use of arcade architecture often serves to create an air of grandeur and grandiosity within a structure.
Span, Columns, Vaults, Arches, Façade
Arcade, derived from the French arcades, is a noun referring to a collection of shops, typically with a covered walkway, usually containing specialty shops. Not to be confused with the video game genre of the same name, the word is often used to describe a row of stores connected by an arcade. Synonyms for the word are bazaar, galleria, forum, passageway, and shopping district. Antonyms include nondescript, unattractive, and drab. Cognates of the word are the French and Italian arcata, the Spanish arco, and the German Arkade. Variants of the word include the English arched, the German Arkaden, and the Danish Arkader.
Morphology, etymology, language, origins, analysis, lexicology.
The etymology and morphology of the word arcade can be traced back to the Latin language, specifically the term arcus which is translated to 'bow' or 'arch'. From the Latin usage, the term came to refer to more complex structures such as walkways covered with an arch-like roof and this was a common feature of cities during medieval times. Strong links can be made between the architectural concept of the arcade, as where passageways lined with shops, and its current usage in the gaming industry. The semantic range of the word is related to the idea of a ‘passage’ and includes building, leisure and gaming contexts. Morphologically, the word ‘arcade’ is a noun, derived from the Latin term ‘arcus’, with the noun suffix –ade. Pragmatically, the word is used to refer to a range of gaming events and the technology associated with them.
Etymology, Morphology, Historical, Contextual, Pragmatics, Arch, Latin, Noun, Semantics, Passage, Shops, Leisure, Technology, Gaming.
The word Arcade is derived from the Italian arca, meaning a chest or repository, and was originally used to refer to a series of covered walkways or corridors that were built around Italian squares. This term has since expanded to refer to a variety of commercial facilities and locations. Common counterparts in other languages are pasaje (Spanish), arcade (French), prasselgalleria (Swedish), gōngyòng (Chinese), dōrō (Japanese), arca (Portuguese), and arkadę (Polish). In Bulgarian, the closest equivalent is arkada; in Hebrew, arkadiyam; in Czech, arkáda; in Greek, arkádia; in Catalan, àrquia; in Dutch, arcade; and in Danish, arkade. In German, the equivalent is Arkade, while the equivalents in Russian, Latin, Turkish and Ukrainian are all arkada. Other synonymous terms include shopping mall (English), torg (Norwegian), centrul comercial (Romanian), pasadizo (Basque), spijkerboor (Dutch), and galerija (Croatian).
arcade, pasaje, prasselgalleria, gōngyòng, dōrō, arca, arkadę, arkada, arkadiyam, àrquia, centrul comercial, pasadizo, spijkerboor, galerija, shopping mall, torg
Arcade is a form of architectural structure commonly seen in commercial and public spaces. It generally involves a series of arches, which can be open-air or covered, and can be used to create a sheltered space. These arches are typically made of stone or brick, and can be used to create a variety of different configurations. Arches can be used to create a free-standing walkway, or to provide a covered passage between two buildings. Additionally, arcades can be used to create an outdoor space with a unique and visually appealing aesthetic. They are often used in combination with other architectural elements, such as columns or balustrades, to create a more unified and complete look.
Architecture, Arches, Aesthetics, Design.
An arcade is a type of architectural structure designed to host public events, commonly found in cities and public squares around the world. It is characterized by a covered walkway usually made of handsome stone, timber, or metal along the sides. It is spanned by a succession of arches, vaults, and columns that provide support to the building and often have a decorative effect. This type of design has been used since antiquity, originally being found in places like the Greek agora and Roman forum. Today, it is typically used as a passageway linking different parts of a larger structure, such as a palace or university, or can serve as a standalone feature, providing shelter to those passing by.
Arcade, architecture, walkway, arches, vaults, columns.
An arcade is a specific type of image composition technique used in anime, comics, and manga, which is used to depict a building. This technique often involves a structure with a large, prominent entrance and colorful, often neon signs and symbols that give the impression of a busy and exciting environment. This type of composition is often used to highlight the urban nature of a setting, while providing some sense of the bustling atmosphere inside.
Arcade, image composition, anime, manga, comics, building, neon, entrance, urban, bustling.
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