🏗️ Housing & Architecture · IELTS Vocabulary by Topic · 20 words

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skyscraper /ˈskaɪskreɪpə(r)/ n	a very tall modern building in a city The city centre is dominated by glass skyscrapers and office towers.
high-rise /ˈhaɪ raɪz/ adj	(of a building) very tall with many floors High-rise apartments are an efficient way to house large populations.
landlord /ˈlændlɔːd/ n	a person who rents out a house or flat to other people Some landlords raise the rent every year without improving the property.
tenant /ˈtenənt/ n	a person who pays rent to live in or use a building New laws give tenants more protection against unfair eviction.
mortgage /ˈmɔːɡɪdʒ/ n	a loan from a bank used to buy a house Young couples often struggle to save enough for a mortgage deposit.
affordable /əˈfɔːdəbl/ adj	cheap enough for most people to buy or rent The shortage of affordable housing is pushing young people out of big cities.
renovate /ˈrenəveɪt/ v	to repair and improve an old building The council plans to renovate the old market and turn it into a cultural centre.
facade /fəˈsɑːd/ n	the front of a building, especially a large or attractive one The building keeps its original stone facade but has a modern interior.
spacious /ˈspeɪʃəs/ adj	having a lot of space inside Families with children usually prefer spacious houses with gardens.
cramped /kræmpt/ adj	not having enough space for the people or things in it Many students live in cramped accommodation near the university.
detached /dɪˈtætʃt/ adj	(of a house) not joined to any other house They moved to the suburbs to buy a detached house with a large garden.
layout /ˈleɪaʊt/ n	the way rooms or parts of a place are arranged The open-plan layout makes the small flat feel much bigger.
blueprint /ˈbluːprɪnt/ n	a detailed plan for a building or project The architect presented the blueprint for the new library to the council.
storey /ˈstɔːri/ n	one level of a building The hotel is a thirty-storey tower overlooking the harbour.
dwelling /ˈdwelɪŋ/ n	a house or place where a person lives (formal) The plan aims to build ten thousand new dwellings over the next five years.
demolish /dɪˈmɒlɪʃ/ v	to completely destroy a building Several historic houses were demolished to make way for a shopping mall.
construction /kənˈstrʌkʃn/ n	the process or work of building something The construction of the new bridge will take at least three years.
skyline /ˈskaɪlaɪn/ n	the outline of buildings seen against the sky The city skyline has changed dramatically over the past twenty years.
restoration /ˌrestəˈreɪʃn/ n	the work of repairing an old building to its original condition The restoration of the ancient citadel was funded by an international agency.
architectural /ˌɑːkɪˈtektʃərəl/ adj	connected with the design and style of buildings The old quarter is admired for its unique architectural style.