A ceiling dome is a halved spherical structure, with a concave
interior that generally extends up and into the ceiling. In a
sense, a dome is a series of arches rotated around the vertical
axis. In itself, a dome is structurally sound and strong, however,
much larger ceiling domes exert much force around their perimeters,
requiring extra support with the wall.
A ceiling dome can encompass an entire ceiling or it can simply
span a small space, and while the ceiling dome works well on
its own, it can prove a focal point for ambient lighting, and
hanging objects.
Today’s contemporary ceiling domes are inspired by a
rich architectural history. The first domes were of simple
design and appeared in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and
India. The Romans advanced the construction of domes on a larger
scale. A fine example is seen in the Greek Pantheon.
Byzantine architects developed the dome further, and inspired
both Islamic and Italian Renaissance architects. Renaissance
architects raised stunning multi-layered domes, and domes decorated
with religious frescoes.
A saucer dome is named as such because it has the appearance
of a shallow saucer when viewed from bellow. Saucer ceiling
domes are low-pitched in terms of depth. Elliptical domes,
named for their elliptical bases, are less common. The Persian,
or onion dome, is more than half a sphere and raises to a point.
The most famous examples are those seen at the Taj Mahal in
Agra, India, and at Saint Basil’s Cathedral, in Moscow,
Russia.
