Architecture/terms

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Expert: Rikki Nyman - 5/14/2011


Question
What is a coyne? What is a keystone?

Answer
I think you mean "quoin," not coyne. (I have found one reference to a coin-stone.)  Quoins are cornerstones that are ornamental, structural, or both. They are usually stone blocks laid in a vertical series of alternating large and smaller stone blocks. The result is a distinctive building outline. (See the front corners for an example: http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/plans/home-builders/1929/29hbc-davenport.htm)

A keystone is is the wedge-shaped stone found at the center of an arch. An example is the rounded arch with the cut keystone at the entry seen on the Glencoe. (http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/plans/home-builders/1929/29hbc-glencoe.htm)

Best regards,
Rikki Nyman
http://www.antiquehomestyle.com

Architecture

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Rikki Nyman

Expertise

Residential architectural questions concerning houses designed between 1900 and 1950, where the question pertains specifically to styles, designs, plans, building materials, color schemes, paint colors, interior finishes and so on. I am NOT qualified to answer engineering questions or issues involving construction methods, plumbing, electrical and the like. For example, I can describe what an appropriate color scheme would be for a vintage 1920s kitchen, or sources for plans for Storybook Style houses. I can not tell someone how to replace the electrical wiring in their old home.

Experience

I have been researching old houses and writing about them for more than five years. (See www.antiquehomestyle.com, which is my site.)

Organizations
Oregon Historical Society Architectural History Center, Portland Oregon

Publications
www.antiquehomestyle.com

Education/Credentials
B.S. History, Minor in Architectural Design

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