Architecture - Gables, Amsterdam

Favorite thing: The "Klok"gevels (Clock, Bell facades) are a type that is very easily mixed with the "Hals" facades. Differences should be seeked in the fact that a "Clock" has a somewhat widened top-part or does not have the square form in the middlesection of the top-facade. They came to be between 1660 and 1790 and are mostly in bases from brick stones. It slowly wins in popularity and is sometimes nicknamed "dented Neck" facades.

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Favorite thing: Three things that make Amsterdam's old houses special:
Firstly, those decorative tops of the houses (I'm sure there is some formal name for it, can someone give me a hint?), each house having its own pattern.
Secondly, some houses are so incredibly narrow that it's hard to imagine that you can actually live in it (See that picture I took in Begijnhof!)
Finally, most buildings have a facade which is actually leaning forward and a big hook attached at the top. Why? Because all the furniture you want to move in- or out of the house has to be lifted through the windows, the staircases are far too narrow and too steep to allow any manoeuvres (even with a suitcase!). The hook at the top is for the rope on which the furniture is lifted and the leaning front helps you move things up. (Begijnhof once again provided a perfect example. Plus it's about the only sunny picture I have from Amsterdam :)

Favorite thing: At first glance, Amsterdam's gable architecture resembled something from a fairytale. The various types of gable architecture - neck, bell, stoop, step (pictured)and ????? - can be seen all over the city, predominantly overlooking the canals.

Favorite thing: The "trapgevel" (staircase facade) is a facade that has a staircase-like top. In this style diagonal lines are as less as possible used and the stairs hide the sides of the roof from the eye. It was commonly built in between 1600 and 1665, but had a revival in the 19th century.

Favorite thing: The wonderful gable end canal houses, that seem to go on and on, nearly never ending. They are so beautiful, both large and small. On a bright sunny morning it's an ever-lasting memory

Fondest memory: When ever you see a gable end house, anywhere, you will always think of Amsterdam

Favorite thing: The clock-gable dates back to 1660-1790. The clock-gable is based on the neck-gable, the boards are made from bricks too and the 90 degrees corners disappeared. The top is looking like a bell.

Fondest memory: You spot lots of different gables.
Some names of the gables are: stair gable, clock gable, neck gable and spout gable.

Favorite thing: The step gable was favored by the Dutch Renaissance architects from 1580 to 1660. As its name implies, this design featured a series of steps culminating at the top.

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Favorite thing: In the old center of Amsterdam many houses have gable stones, that will tell a story about the original house owner. The stories can be trade related or displaying a bible story.