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Art Principles and History

Basics of Architecture

What is a skeletal construction?

In some forms of architecture, walls do a lot of the work of supporting the overall weight of a structure. In skeletal construction, a thin interior frame, rather than walls, supports weight, allowing for additional windows and much thinner walls. Both Gothic cathedrals and massive steel-framed skyscrapers rely on this type of construction to reach dizzying heights and incorporate large windows.