#Parapet September 16

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

September 2026 several of us are going to take on the 30-Day Architectural Coach4aday Challenge each day, we will define an architectural term and provide examples of where it is located. This challenge will let observation, travel, history, and photography all intersect. For Day 16 it is on a PARAPET.

I was especially flattered last week when a reader reached out with an idea for this month’s architectural challenge. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about these challenges is that they sometimes lead me to architectural terms I might never have thought to research on my own.

Brian Nolley, an Assistant Director with the City of Lumberton, suggested a term that immediately caught my attention: parapet.

So, Brian, this one’s for you. Thanks for adding another architectural feature to my list—and for reminding me that some of the best ideas for these posts come from the people who read them.

30-Day Architectural Challenge Guidelines

If you have ever watched Seinfeld, you know that George Constanza always wanted to pretend to be an architect

Well, this month’s challenge let’s all of us that are not architects learn a little more about their language. To do that we have a simple challenge.

Every day we’ll learn one architectural term. Your challenge is to find an example—preferably one you’ve actually seen—and share a photograph, location and brief explanation.

Day 16-Parapet

Brian also provided me the definition.

“Word : Parapet – A parapet is a low protective wall or barrier that extends upward from edge of a roof, balcony, bridge, terrace, or walkway. Our own Carolina Civic Center has a great example of a parapet on the front of the building (see attached picture). In addition…I’ll tie in an interesting fact…..the City of Lumberton has an ordinance that no building sign may extend above any parapet or be placed upon any roof surface.”