4. Architectural sub-elements

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22.4.1: Concepts

An element is a structurally coherent ensemble – thus a wall is seen as an organized construction made up of components (bricks, stones) laid according to a specific pattern, resulting in well defined faces, having recurrent organizational modules (e.g., a certain width), etc.
     A sub-element is a constructional component of an element – thus it subordinate to the element as a whole, either because of the the discreteness of its physical nature (the material) or because of the difference in the organization of these material sub-elements.

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22.4.2: Material sub-elements

They are related to constructional material.

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22.4.3: Organizational sub-elements

They are related to constructional organization.

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22.4.4: Notation

The specific label notation is used, with a circumflex sign (^) used as prefix, and a sequential number following a dot to indicate the sub-element, thus, e.g., ^wall1.1 (say, a brick within ^wall1).

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22.4.5: Terminology

The term “sub-element” highlights the conceptual priority of the element. In fact, a sub-element can be so identified only in function of a larger coherent whole (the element) within which it is logically nested.

The organizational sub-element correspond to the USM (“Unità Stratigrafica Muraria“) of the Italian approach to the developmental analysis of architecture.