Figures of Architecture
Identity
Archive
Website
Self-initiated Project
Figures of Architecture is dedicated to the documentation and research of grotesques, mascarons, and other figurative ornaments. From gargoyles and green men to disgorging heads, stone spies, monstrous hybrids, and chimeras, the archive debuts with over 500 entries and 2,000 supporting images spanning seven cities and three countries. Each entry is accessioned, plotted, and tagged, allowing users to filter by location and keyword to explore similarities, differences, and unexpected details—from the grand buildings typically associated with ornamentation to the structures you pass every day.
Designed as a citizen research project, the archive welcomes contributions from collaborators, with dedicated credit for contributors and a framework that encourages organic growth. In addition to its visual documentation, the website includes a reading list of articles, publications, and related media, as well as a glossary covering both ornament types and architectural elements such as keystones, corbels, and caryatids.
In keeping with the spirit of open-access archives, Figures of Architecture aims to be both a resource and an inspiration—fostering collaboration, shared interest, and perhaps a new perspective on the grotesque in the 21st century.
