Blind arch
A blind arch is an arch that has been built within a wall and infilled, as opposed to traditional arches that are left open for use as passageways, windows, and so on. They can be built with solid infill as an intentional design aesthetic, or built as an open arch and infilled later. A blind arch can be used internally and externally, but is most commonly built into the external façade as a form of decoration, or in combination with functional archways which permit access or serve as windows.
Gothic and Romanesque Revival architecture commonly feature blind arches, most typically constructed from masonry or stone. They can also be found, in simulated form, in more modern light frame construction.
The term 'blind arcade' refers to a series of blind arches in a row.
The infill material is often the same as is used for the surrounding wall element. The thickness of the filled section can be the same or differ from that of the wall. A thinner infill can be used to provide the façade with depth and profile. A thicker infill may be found where the arch has been filled for security reasons, or to preserve a structure that is crumbling or otherwise defective.
Some blind arch designs include a rounded top positioned above a standard door or window-sized opening. Other designs, such as in Middle Eastern architecture, may be more ornate and elaborate, with pointed or peaked tops. In Islamic designs, a decorative element known as tracery often covers a blind arch. Tracery is formed by bands of material arranged over a blind arch to create intricate patterned designs.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.