Sprunglinie

Sprunglinie is a term used in architecture and architectural history, particularly in German-speaking contexts, to describe a horizontal line on a building’s exterior that marks a visual and often functional boundary between levels or sections of the façade. The line helps readers of the building to understand its proportion, rhythm, and organization at a glance.

The Sprunglinie may correspond to an actual architectural feature such as a string course, belt course, or cornice, or it can be a perceptual line formed by the alignment of window heads, sills, or decorative bands. In many facades the line is emphasized by material change, color contrast, or the positioning of openings, thereby clarifying the division between floors or architectural zones. Even when no distinct feature exists, the line can still be perceived and used as a design or planning aid.

In practice, Sprunglinien serve purposes in both design and restoration. For new buildings, they guide the composition and harmony of the façade, aiding administrators, planners, and observers in reading the building’s storey structure. In restoration and conservation, the line helps determine original floor heights, past alterations, and the intended visual order of historic façades, supporting efforts to reconstruct or preserve authentic appearances.

The term is primarily used in German architectural discourse and related literature, where it denotes this specific horizontal organizational principle rather than a separate structural element.