Drape / drapery
|
Drapery refers to pieces of cloth or textiles that hang in specific positions mainly for decoration. The drape of a material merely describes the way that material falls, folds or hangs.
In buildings it normally refers to textiles that hang around a window reveal or bed for example. Drapery is also used to describe loose clothing and how if falls over the human form. It was an important element of early artworks, such as shawls, head scarfs and loin cloths that featured heavily from the Greek to the Renaissance periods, particularly in sculptural pieces.
Today the term drapery or drapes might be used instead of curtains, however drapery specifically refers to the act of falling and folding whereas a curtain refers to the material and its function. The early curtains of the Egyptians in around 3100 B.C, made of animal hides to hang in doorways, were more akin to drapery as they hung in a fixed position, rather than being moveable as with curtains. The specific styles of pleat in different types of curtains, such as pencil, pinch or globlet pleats might be more readily referred to as drapery, because the focus of these is the fall or drape of the fabric.
Window scarves or valances are also forms of drapery.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Artificial intelligence and project management
Two new research reports published by APM.
Association for Project Management membership offer
50% off APM Associate membership for Designing Buildings users.
Building safety, a shifting landscape for professionals
A commentary from the insurance perspective.
In brief with further links.
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Considering building acoustics with the AT Journal.
Why building acoustic considerations must be non-negotiable.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
Top 50 Women in engineering 2022.
Inventors and innovators at ICE.
Life, death and art at the Stuart court. Book review.
Real estate, place adaptation and innovation.
Review and comment on the revised draft before July 11.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !
IHBC's 25th anniversary 2022 Aberdeen School.
A blended event and triumphant return.
New Construction Leadership Council Co-Chair selected.
Mark Reynolds succeeds Andy Mitchell as Co-Chair of CLC