An architectural recess is a space or area that is set back from the main structure of a building. The term can refer to a variety of different features, such as an ALCOVE (6 letters), which is a small, recessed area in a wall; an apsis (5 letters), which is a semicircular recess in a church; an APSE (4 letters), which is a large, semicircular recess in a church; an ionic (5 letters), which is a type of classical column; a doric (5 letters), which is another type of classical column; and an OGEE (4 letters), which is an S-shaped curve used in architecture.