What Is A Cupola? What does a cupola do? Different Uses

Cupolas, What They Are and How They’re Used. Are cupolas artifacts of the past or the architecture of the future? All about these roof attachments.

The meaning of CUPOLA is a rounded vault resting on a usually circular base and forming a roof or a ceiling.

cupola, in architecture, small dome, often resembling an overturned cup, placed on a circular, polygonal, or square base or on small pillars or a glassed-in lantern. It is used to crown a turret, roof, or larger dome. The inner vault of a dome is also a cupola. Cupolas, usually bulbous or pointed,

These diminutive structures sit atop a roof ridge and bring light and air into a dark attic space. Check out a few cupolas that also bring style and interest to their top spots.

What is a cupola? How did cupolas originate? What are cupolas used for? Discover features, advantages, and the fascinating history of cupolas!

A cupola is a rounded structure on top of a building’s roof. Most cupolas have the shape of a dome, or even take the form of a small dome on top of a larger dome.

The word derives, via Italian language. In Italian “cupola” simply means dome, the ornamental top element is called “lanterna”. Italian, from lower Latin cupula (classical Latin cupella), from Ancient Greek κύπελλον (kúpellon) ‘small cup’ (Latin cupa), indicating a vault resembling an upside-down cup.

The cupola evolved during the Renaissance from the older oculus. Being weatherproof, the cupola was better suited to the wetter climates of northern Europe. The chhatri, seen in Indian architecture, fits the definition of a cupola when it is used atop a larger structure.

Cupolas often serve as a belfry, belvedere, or roof lantern above a main roof. In other cases they may crown a spire, tower, or turret. Barns often have cupolas for ventilation.

The square, dome-like segment of a North American railroad train caboose that contains the second-level or “angel” seats is also called a cupola.

A cupola is a small structure, enclosed but with openings, placed on the top of a building’s roof or dome. Originally, the cupola (pronounced KYOO-pa-la, with the accent on the first syllable) was functional. Historically, cupolas were used to ventilate and provide natural light for the structure underneath it. Often it became a town’s identifier, a vehicle to enclose a town’s bell or display a common clock or flag. As such, it was also a good lookout, a high look-out post used by a sentry or other watchful person.

Architectural historian G. E. Kidder Smith defines a cupola as a “domed accent on a roof with either round or polygonal base.” Many others suggest that cupolas can be round, square, or multi-sided. In some cases, the entire main roof of a tower or spire may be called a cupola. More frequently, however, the cupola is a smaller structure that sets on top of the main roof. Architect John Milnes Baker describes a cupola as “a small turretlike structure projecting above a building’s roof.”

A good example of the cupola in American architectural history is the one atop Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Called “the cradle of liberty” by the National Park Service, Faneuil Hall has been a gathering place for colonists since 1742.

A cupola can have a dome and a dome can have a cupola, but neither is required. A dome is considered to be a roof and structural part of a building. A common understanding is that a cupola is an architectural detail that can be moved, removed, or exchanged. For example, the cupola on the roof of the 1742 Faneuil Hall used to be in the center but it was moved to the end when the Hall was renovated in 1899 — steel beams were added to the structure and the cupola was replaced with sheet steel.

Sometimes you can reach the cupola by climbing a stairway inside the building. This type of cupola is often called a belvedere or a widow’s walk. Some cupolas, called lanterns, have small windows that illuminate the areas below. Lantern type cupolas often are found atop domed roofs.

Today a cupola is mostly an ornamental architectural detail, often with the singular function of holding a flag, religious symbol (e.g., cross), weather vane, or other finial.

In the United States, cupolas are often found on Italianate houses and as a defining characteristic of neotraditional architecture. A cupola is a common site on 19th and 20th century public buildings in city centers, like the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon. Explore this gallery of elaborate famous cupolas, simple cupolas for modest buildings, and the addition to the International Space Station (ISS), of all places.

In short, the cupola is simply a great idea. These small structures perch beautifully atop larger structures. Cupolas started out being functional — you might even call them green architecture. Their intent was to provide natural light, passive cooling through ventilation, and unobstructed views of surrounding areas. The grand cupola on the antebellum Longwood estate in Natchez, Mississippi served all these purposes. Some contemporary buildings also have functional, energy-saving cupolas. Cupolas could be called “old wine in new bottles.”

Unfortunately, most of the cupolas you buy at “big box” stores are only ornamental architectural details. Some people would even question their decorative properties.

The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, UK was constructed between 1664 and 1669. A young Christopher Wren (1632-1723) designed this secular ceremonial hall for the University of Oxford. Like Brunelleschi before him, Wren was obsessed with building a self-sustaining roof, without timber beams or columns. Even today, the roof of the Sheldonian Theatre is analyzed and studied by mathematics geeks.

When the capital of the Roman Empire moved to a part of Turkey known as Byzantium, Western architecture adopted many of the practices and designs of the Middle East. From Byzantine architecture of the 6th century to this day, engineering and design is guided by local influences.