"Spandrel" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
A structural element in masonry construction constructed over an arch, a doorway, a window, or a bracket to fill the space between the arch or opening and the surrounding wall.
The decorative motif on the cathedral's facade was a large spandrel that curved over the doorway, adding to the building's Gothic flair.
The engineer pointed out that the load-bearing wall would soon become a void, leaving only a few narrow spandrels to hold up the roof.
The spandrels on the bridge were not just aesthetically pleasing but also enhanced stability during heavy loads.
In posteriori analysis, it was revealed that the designers oversimplified the structural support and relied heavily on fragile spandrels to bear the weight.
The eyes of the statue were said to be carved by the artist's apprentice, before inserting the vibrant gemstones into the gaps between the intricate carvings on the deep-pened spandrels under the brow.