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.
