Gemetseld

Gemetseld is a Dutch architectural term used to describe construction in which walls are built in masonry, typically by laying bricks or stones bound with mortar. The term can refer to both the structural system and the visible finish, such as a gemetselde gevel (masonry facade).

Etymology and meaning: Gemetseld derives from the Dutch verb metselen, meaning to lay bricks. Gemetseld is the past participle used as an adjective to indicate that a wall, façade, or building is composed of masonry rather than timber framing or other non-masonry construction.

Usage in architecture: In drawings, specifications, and descriptions, gemetseld indicates the material and method of wall construction. It is commonly applied to exterior walls, interior partitions, and façades where the masonry is visible or plays a primary structural role. It may be contrasted with timber-framed, rendered, or plastered constructions, which conceal the underlying masonry or use different structural systems.

Materials and methods: Gemetseld walls are typically built with bricks or stones bound by mortar. Brickwork can employ various brick sizes, colors, and bonding patterns, while stone masonry uses local stone types. Mortar composition varies by region and period. The term emphasizes the presence of solid masonry walls rather than superficial cladding or non-masonry constructions.

Historical context and prevalence: Masonry, including gemetseld walls, has been a dominant building method in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe for centuries due to its durability and fire resistance. In modern construction, gemetseld walls may be preserved for historic buildings or used in new builds to achieve traditional aesthetics or specific structural characteristics.

See also: Masonry, Brickwork, Stone masonry, Metselwerk.