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Resources for Worldbuilding

Locations: Buildings & Artificial Areas

Locations: Buildings & Artificial Areas

A perfect location can be the backdrop to the final showdown between good and evil, can be a hangout for a set of adventurers, or can simply be one of many in a city. Below is a resource set of buildings.

  • Mundane Buildings
  • Fantasy Buildings
  • Science Fiction Buildings

MUNDANE BUILDINGS

RESIDENTIAL

  • RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
  • HOUSE
  • COMMUNITY CENTER
  • BOMB SHELTER
  • TORNADO SHELTER
  • APARTMENT COMPLEX
  • SLUMS
  • BED & BREAKFAST
  • INN

BUSINESS

  • OFFICE BUILDING
  • CAFE
  • RESTAURANT
  • HOTEL
  • MOTEL
  • BANK
  • CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
  • MALL
  • CLOTHING STORE
  • MARKET
  • BAKERY
  • CANDY STORE
  • MALT SHOP
  • SUPERMARKET
  • PET SHOP
  • BARBER
  • WAREHOUSE
  • CAR SALES LOT
  • NOODLE SHOP
  • BOOK STORE
  • TOY STORE
  • FIREWORKS SHOP
  • TATTOO SHOP

ENTERTAINMENT

  • BATHHOUSE
  • AMUSEMENT PARK
  • NATURE RESERVE
  • PARK
  • SPORTS ARENA
  • RESORT
  • PLAYGROUND
  • CASINO
  • RACE TRACK (CAR, HORSE, DOG)
  • BOWLING ALLEY
  • THEATRE
  • CINEMA
  • FAIR
  • GUN RANGE
  • GARDENS
  • ARBORETUM
  • CONSERVATORY
  • SKI CHALET
  • CIRCUS
  • GYM
  • BOXING RING
  • ICE RINK
  • ROLLER RINK
  • OLYMPIC PARK
  • POOL
  • PAINTBALL FIELD
  • SKI SLOPES
  • SKATE PARK
  • GROTTO
  • HEDGE MAZE
  • CORN MAZE
  • STATUE GARDEN
  • CONCERT VENUE
  • TELEVISION STATION
  • MOVIE SET
  • HISTORICAL REINACTMENT SITE
  • SUMMER CAMP
  • CAMP SITE
  • GAME RESERVE
  • DANCEHALL
  • NIGHTCLUB

TRANSPORTATION

  • LANDING STRIP
  • TRANSPORTATION HUB
  • AIRPORT
  • SHIPPING YARD
  • TRAIN YARD
  • PARKING STRUCTURE
  • DOCKS
  • PARKING LOT
  • DRY DOCK
  • FUEL STATION
  • TRUCK STOP
  • ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
  • REPAIR SHOP
  • BOATHOUSE
  • TOLLBOOTH
  • LIGHTHOUSE

RELIGIOUS

  • CHURCH
  • TEMPLE
  • MONASTERY
  • CHAPEL
  • ABBEY
  • CATHEDRAL
  • ALTER
  • SHRINE
  • CRYPT
  • NECROPOLIS
  • CATACOMBS

GOVERNMENT & EMERGENCY SERVICES

  • CAPITAL
  • FUNERAL HOME
  • POLICE STATION
  • HOSPITAL
  • FIRE STATION
  • RANGER STATION
  • PRISON
  • POST OFFICE
  • FIRE TOWER
  • CLINIC
  • GRAVEYARD
  • CREMATORIUM
  • EMERGENCY MEDICAL STATION
  • MINT
  • MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTION
  • ORPHANAGE
  • TOWN SQUARE
  • COURTHOUSE
  • NURSING HOME
  • BORDER CHECKPOINT

MILITARY

  • MILITARY BASE
  • WEAPON TEST SITE
  • MINEFIELD
  • MUNITIONS DEPOT
  • ARMS FACTORY
  • COMMAND CENTER
  • INTELLIGENCE CENTER
  • TRAINING BASE
  • OUTPOST
  • COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
  • BUNKER
  • BATTLE SITE
  • CHECKPOINT
  • MILITARY HOSPITAL
  • MILITARY COURT

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • WATER TOWER
  • DAM
  • LOCK
  • POWER PLANT
  • SEWERS
  • WATER PURIFICATION PLANT
  • JUNKYARD
  • BRIDGE
  • CANAL
  • TUNNEL
  • SEWAGE PLANT
  • AQUEDUCT
  • COVERED BRIDGE
  • NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
  • HYDROELECTRIC PLANT

INDUSTRIAL

  • CAR FACTORY
  • ORE SMELTER
  • MINE
  • CHEMICAL FACTORY
  • LUMBER CAMP
  • QUARRY
  • GLASSWORKS
  • PAPERMILL
  • DEEP SEA OIL RIG
  • OIL RIG
  • REFINERY

AGRICULTURAL

  • FARM
  • SLAUGHTERHOUSE
  • BARN
  • MILL
  • WINDMILL
  • WATERMILL
  • FARMER’S MARKET
  • ORCHARD
  • VINEYARD
  • PIGPEN
  • CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
  • RANGE
  • GRAIN ELEVATOR
  • SILO
  • NURSERY
  • PLANTATION
  • APIARY

SCIENCE & LEARNING

  • SATELLITE
  • OBSERVATORY
  • SCIENCE LAB
  • UNIVERSITY
  • SCHOOL
  • LIBRARY
  • ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG SITE
  • SATELLITE DISH
  • PLANETARIUM
  • MUSEUM
  • ART GALLERY
  • BOTANICAL GARDENS
  • ZOO
  • AQUARIUM
  • RESEARCH OUTPOST
  • ROCKET LAUNCH SITE

MODIFIERS

  • IN RUINS
  • DESERTED/ABANDONED
  • UNDER CONSTRUCTION
  • UNDER REPAIR
  • COLLAPSING
  • FLOODING
  • AFLAME
  • UNDER ATTACK
  • UNDER SEIGE
  • QUARANTINED
  • INFESTED
  • SECRET/HIDDEN
  • MEGASTRUCTURE

Locations can be combined such as a military outpost set up in a windmill, an apiary that has become a mine field, or a tornado shelter at a mall. This type of combination might be especially prevalent in post-apocalyptic and military settings where the normal operations of these locations have been disrupted and they can be converted to another purpose.

Apiary: a location where bees and their hives are kept and bred.

FANTASY BUILDINGS


RESIDENTIAL

  • MANOR
  • INN
  • RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
  • HOUSE
  • COMMUNITY CENTER
  • APARTMENT COMPLEX
  • SLUMS
  • BED & BREAKFAST

BUSINESS

  • TAVERN
  • WEAPONSMITH
  • FORGE
  • POTION SHOP
  • CANDLE SHOP
  • APOTHECARY
  • MAGICAL ITEM SHOP
  • MAGICAL BOOK AND SCROLL SHOP
  • LIVERY
  • RESTAURANT
  • BANK
  • CLOTHING STORE
  • MARKET
  • BAKERY
  • PET SHOP
  • BARBER
  • WAREHOUSE
  • NOODLE SHOP
  • FIREWORKS SHOP
  • TATTOO SHOP

ENTERTAINMENT

  • BATHHOUSE
  • GLADIATOR ARENA
  • CASINO
  • RACE TRACK (RAT, HORSE, DOG)
  • THEATRE
  • FAIR
  • GARDENS
  • ARBORETUM
  • CIRCUS
  • GYM
  • BOXING RING
  • ICE RINK
  • GROTTO
  • HEDGE MAZE
  • CORN MAZE
  • STATUE GARDEN
  • MEAD HALL

TRANSPORTATION

  • CARRIAGE HOUSE
  • SHIPPING YARD
  • DOCKS
  • DRY DOCK
  • CARRIAGE REPAIR SHOP
  • BOATHOUSE
  • TOLLBOOTH
  • LIGHTHOUSE
  • LIVERY
  • STABLES
  • FERRY

RELIGIOUS

  • CHURCH
  • TEMPLE
  • MONASTERY
  • CHAPEL
  • ABBEY
  • CATHEDRAL
  • ALTER
  • SHRINE
  • CRYPT
  • NECROPOLIS
  • CATACOMBS

OTHER

  • MAGIC WELL
  • WITCH HUT
  • WIZARD TOWER
  • GIANT SKELETON
  • FLOATING ISLAND
  • DUNGEON

GOVERNMENT & EMERGENCY SERVICES

  • CAPITAL
  • PALACE
  • GUARDHOUSE
  • UNDERTAKER
  • DOCTORS
  • FIRE STATION
  • PRISON
  • POST OFFICE
  • GRAVEYARD
  • MINT
  • MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTION
  • ORPHANAGE
  • TOWN SQUARE
  • COURTHOUSE
  • BORDER CHECKPOINT
  • GATEHOUSE
  • DUNGEON
  • DISEASE COLONY
  • SIGNAL FIRE

MILITARY

  • CASTLE
  • FORT
  • ENCAMPMENT
  • WATCHTOWER
  • ARMORY
  • TRAINING BASE
  • ARCHERY RANGE
  • BARRACKS
  • OUTPOST
  • BATTLE SITE
  • CHECKPOINT
  • MILITARY HOSPITAL
  • MILITARY COURT

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • WATER TOWER
  • DAM
  • LOCK
  • SEWERS
  • CANAL
  • JUNKYARD
  • BRIDGE
  • TUNNEL
  • AQUEDUCT
  • COVERED BRIDGE

INDUSTRIAL

  • ORE SMELTER
  • MINE
  • LUMBER CAMP
  • QUARRY
  • GLASSWORKS
  • PAPERMILL

AGRICULTURAL

  • FARM
  • SLAUGHTERHOUSE
  • BARN
  • MILL
  • WINDMILL
  • WATERMILL
  • FARMER’S MARKET
  • ORCHARD
  • VINEYARD
  • PIGPEN
  • RANGE
  • APIARY

SCIENCE & LEARNING

  • OBSERVATORY
  • LABORATORY
  • UNIVERSITY
  • SCHOOL
  • LIBRARY
  • ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG SITE
  • PLANETARIUM
  • MUSEUM
  • BOTANICAL GARDENS
  • ZOO
  • AQUARIUM
  • RESEARCH OUTPOST

MODIFIERS

  • IN RUINS
  • DESERTED/ABANDONED
  • UNDER CONSTRUCTION
  • UNDER REPAIR
  • COLLAPSING
  • FLOODING
  • AFLAME
  • UNDER ATTACK
  • UNDER SIEGE
  • QUARANTINED
  • INFESTED
  • MAGICAL
  • MYTHOLOGICAL/LEGENDARY
  • LOST
  • SECRET/HIDDEN
  • MEGASTRUCTURE
  • HAUNTED

Livery: a stable where horses can be kept and carriages rented

SCIENCE FICTION BUILDINGS

RESIDENTIAL

  • HABITATION RING
  • HABITATION DOME
  • HABITATION CHAMBER
  • RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
  • HOUSE
  • COMMUNITY CENTER
  • BOMB SHELTER
  • TORNADO SHELTER
  • APARTMENT COMPLEX
  • SLUMS

BUSINESS

  • TRADEPORT
  • BODY MODIFICATION SHOP
  • OFFICE BUILDING
  • CAFE
  • RESTAURANT
  • HOTEL
  • MOTEL
  • BANK
  • CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
  • MALL
  • CLOTHING STORE
  • MARKET
  • BAKERY
  • CANDY STORE
  • SUPERMARKET
  • PET SHOP
  • BARBER
  • WAREHOUSE
  • SPACESHIP SALES LOT
  • NOODLE SHOP
  • BOOK STORE
  • TOY STORE
  • FIREWORKS SHOP

ENTERTAINMENT

  • BATHHOUSE
  • AMUSEMENT PARK
  • NATURE RESERVE
  • PARK
  • SPORTS ARENA
  • RESORT
  • PLAYGROUND
  • CASINO
  • RACE TRACK (CAR, HORSE, DOG)
  • BOWLING ALLEY
  • THEATRE
  • CINEMA
  • FAIR
  • GUN RANGE
  • GARDENS
  • ARBORETUM
  • CONSERVATORY
  • SKI CHALET
  • CIRCUS
  • GYM
  • BOXING RING
  • ICE RINK
  • ROLLER RINK
  • POOL
  • SKI SLOPES
  • SKATE PARK
  • GROTTO
  • HEDGE MAZE
  • CORN MAZE
  • STATUE GARDEN
  • CONCERT VENUE
  • TELEVISION STATION
  • HISTORICAL REINACTMENT SITE
  • SUMMER CAMP
  • CAMP SITE
  • GAME RESERVE
  • DANCEHALL
  • NIGHTCLUB

TRANSPORTATION

  • LANDING STRIP
  • TRANSPORTATION HUB
  • SPACEPORT
  • SHIPPING YARD
  • TRAIN YARD
  • PARKING STRUCTURE
  • SPACEDOCK
  • PARKING LOT
  • DRY DOCK
  • FUEL STATION
  • FUEL DEPOT
  • REPAIR SHOP
  • TOLLBOOTH

RELIGIOUS

  • CHURCH
  • TEMPLE
  • MONASTERY
  • CHAPEL
  • ABBEY
  • CATHEDRAL
  • ALTER
  • SHRINE
  • CRYPT
  • NECROPOLIS
  • CATACOMBS

GOVERNMENT & EMERGENCY SERVICES

  • CAPITAL
  • FUNERAL HOME
  • POLICE STATION
  • PRIVATE SECURITY STATION
  • HOSPITAL
  • FIRE STATION
  • RANGER STATION
  • PRISON
  • CLINIC
  • GRAVEYARD
  • CREMATORIUM
  • EMERGENCY MEDICAL STATION
  • MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTION
  • ORPHANAGE
  • COURTHOUSE
  • NURSING HOME
  • BORDER CHECKPOINT

MILITARY

  • PLANETARY DEFENSE INSTALLATION
  • MILITARY BASE
  • WEAPON TEST SITE
  • MINEFIELD
  • MUNITIONS DEPOT
  • ARMS FACTORY
  • COMMAND CENTER
  • INTELLIGENCE CENTER
  • TRAINING BASE
  • OUTPOST
  • COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
  • BUNKER
  • BATTLE SITE
  • CHECKPOINT
  • MILITARY HOSPITAL
  • MILITARY COURT

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • COMMUNICATIONS ARRAY
  • WATER TOWER
  • DAM
  • LOCK
  • POWER PLANT
  • SEWERS
  • WATER PURIFICATION PLANT
  • WATER RECLAIMATION PLANT
  • JUNKYARD
  • BRIDGE
  • CANAL
  • TUNNEL
  • SEWAGE PLANT
  • AQUEDUCT

INDUSTRIAL

  • SPACESHIP FACTORY
  • ORE SMELTER
  • MINE
  • CHEMICAL FACTORY
  • LUMBER CAMP
  • QUARRY
  • DEEP SPACE RIG
  • PLANETARY RIG
  • REFINERY

AGRICULTURAL

  • HYDROPONICS FARM
  • FARM
  • SLAUGHTERHOUSE
  • ORCHARD
  • VINEYARD
  • PIGPEN
  • GRAIN ELEVATOR
  • SILO
  • NURSERY
  • PLANTATION

SCIENCE & LEARNING

  • PROBE SATELLITE
  • OBSERVATORY
  • SCIENCE LAB
  • UNIVERSITY
  • SCHOOL
  • LIBRARY
  • ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG SITE
  • SATELLITE DISH
  • PLANETARIUM
  • MUSEUM
  • ART GALLERY
  • BOTANICAL GARDENS
  • ZOO
  • AQUARIUM
  • RESEARCH OUTPOST
  • ROCKET LAUNCH SITE

OTHER

  • ORBITAL PLATFORM
  • GIANT ROBOT
  • GIANT COMPUTER

MODIFIERS

  • IN RUINS
  • DESERTED/ABANDONED
  • UNDER CONSTRUCTION
  • UNDER REPAIR
  • COLLAPSING
  • FLOODING AFLAME
  • UNDER ATTACK
  • UNDER SIEGE
  • QUARANTINED
  • INFESTED
  • MYTHOLOGICAL/LEGENDARY
  • LOST
  • SECRET/HIDDEN
  • MEGASTRUCTURE
  • LOSING ORBIT
  • DRIFTING
  • PLANETARY INSTALLATION
  • ORBITAL INSTALLATION
  • SPACE STATION
  • SPACE SHIP

With science fiction locations, consider if the building is on the planets surface, in orbit around a planet or other object, or is in deep space as a station or spaceship.

A Primer

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  • Naming Places in Fictional Worlds

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