The history of the development of domes as a structural form
This section will be the introduction to my thesis. It will discuss the history of dome construction and outline key features of a few historic domes:
· Hagia Sophia
· Florence
· St Peter's Basilica
· St Paul's cathedral
· The Pantheon
Indicating which are seen as the most significant advances in construction.
· Hagia Sophia
· Florence
· St Peter's Basilica
· St Paul's cathedral
· The Pantheon
Indicating which are seen as the most significant advances in construction.
A masonry structure can be perceived as aesthetic, cultural, historical and a sign of hierarchy. The Romans first exploited the dome. Their
presence in a structure represented a superior status and acted as an imperial symbol. The Byzantines favoured the aesthetic prospective and used them as a focal point for major churches. After a small lapse in the use of domes, Romanesque architecture was revived. Gothic architecture built on the foundations of dome design while also introducing flying buttresses and rib vaults, an addition dismissed by the renaissance as they were deemed ugly. During the Renaissance period domes were constructed to symbolise Christianity. Their popularity spread and the dome became a focal point on the churches and major buildings that dominated Europe's skylines.
The early history of domes is unknown. Excavated remains show signs of semi-circular and pointed domes used in housing during the time of the famous Roman architect and engineer, Vitruvius (c.80-15BC). Evidence of the dome structure is shown in the Mycenae, a buried structure of tombs covered by 'beehive' domes. The use of domes spread slowly through the former Roman Empire but was avoided by both the Egyptians and the Greeks.
It was during the Roman era that the true capability of domes was realised. As well as the aforementioned aesthetic and symbolic benefits of
domes, their inherent structure also provided increased stability during earthquakes. In addition, monolithic domes could be constructed, which encouraged the use of these shapes to provide a stable cover for large spatial areas. During the republican era the dome design was adapted creating 'semi domes as a symbol of Imperial authority' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman , 2012). These semi domes were a favourable form of status for dead emperors and soon developed into a standard motif on many public buildings. Domes were also common in the Roman era to cover plunge pools and gardens.
The Pantheon, a Roman temple devoted to all the gods, contains the largest and most famous concrete dome that’s ‘thick concrete hemisphere spans over 43m with an eye open to the sky’ (J.Heyman, 1995). The dome was raised above a drum by interlocking earthen pots and triangular pendentives (a technique founded by the Romans).
Initially the Christians didn't approve of the dome structure unless it was for cult altar. This subsequently reduced its popularity until the Hagia Sophia later revived the dome to become a feature of ecclesiastical architecture in Constantinople. The presence of this magnificent structure then became the model for Byzantine churches. The construction method developed resulting in pendentives being replaced by squinches
A new era in Western architecture was marked on the construction of the dome of Florence cathedral. Its large span and double shell shape
'dwarfs the architecture of the choir' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman, 2012). The dome, courtesy of Brunelleschi, became a 'central feature of new Renaissance style' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman, 2012). The style spread fast and similar domes appeared throughout Europe including the new St Peters dome in Rome, which was described in its erected form as 'a supreme architectural motif for monumental ecclesiastical' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman, 2012). Following the erection of St Peter's came St Paul's in London, containing a hidden brick cone, and the Pantheon in Paris with its oculus illuminating the interior.
Modern domes are usually constructed in concrete or steel giving thinner construction and a wider range of forms. Another type of dome design that originated due to the amount and cost of the extensive formwork required to construct domes was Bini's inflatable domes.
Bini's shells popularity grew due to their high strength, low cost approach compared to conventional structures and where constructed all over the world for variety of uses. Due to structural issues arising from faulty construction process's/design some of the domes encounted structural problems. Two examples of a 'fragile bubble waiting to break' (C.Hubben, 2010) are the Pittwater and fairvale High schools.
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presence in a structure represented a superior status and acted as an imperial symbol. The Byzantines favoured the aesthetic prospective and used them as a focal point for major churches. After a small lapse in the use of domes, Romanesque architecture was revived. Gothic architecture built on the foundations of dome design while also introducing flying buttresses and rib vaults, an addition dismissed by the renaissance as they were deemed ugly. During the Renaissance period domes were constructed to symbolise Christianity. Their popularity spread and the dome became a focal point on the churches and major buildings that dominated Europe's skylines.
The early history of domes is unknown. Excavated remains show signs of semi-circular and pointed domes used in housing during the time of the famous Roman architect and engineer, Vitruvius (c.80-15BC). Evidence of the dome structure is shown in the Mycenae, a buried structure of tombs covered by 'beehive' domes. The use of domes spread slowly through the former Roman Empire but was avoided by both the Egyptians and the Greeks.
It was during the Roman era that the true capability of domes was realised. As well as the aforementioned aesthetic and symbolic benefits of
domes, their inherent structure also provided increased stability during earthquakes. In addition, monolithic domes could be constructed, which encouraged the use of these shapes to provide a stable cover for large spatial areas. During the republican era the dome design was adapted creating 'semi domes as a symbol of Imperial authority' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman , 2012). These semi domes were a favourable form of status for dead emperors and soon developed into a standard motif on many public buildings. Domes were also common in the Roman era to cover plunge pools and gardens.
The Pantheon, a Roman temple devoted to all the gods, contains the largest and most famous concrete dome that’s ‘thick concrete hemisphere spans over 43m with an eye open to the sky’ (J.Heyman, 1995). The dome was raised above a drum by interlocking earthen pots and triangular pendentives (a technique founded by the Romans).
Initially the Christians didn't approve of the dome structure unless it was for cult altar. This subsequently reduced its popularity until the Hagia Sophia later revived the dome to become a feature of ecclesiastical architecture in Constantinople. The presence of this magnificent structure then became the model for Byzantine churches. The construction method developed resulting in pendentives being replaced by squinches
A new era in Western architecture was marked on the construction of the dome of Florence cathedral. Its large span and double shell shape
'dwarfs the architecture of the choir' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman, 2012). The dome, courtesy of Brunelleschi, became a 'central feature of new Renaissance style' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman, 2012). The style spread fast and similar domes appeared throughout Europe including the new St Peters dome in Rome, which was described in its erected form as 'a supreme architectural motif for monumental ecclesiastical' (J.Heyman and F.Woodman, 2012). Following the erection of St Peter's came St Paul's in London, containing a hidden brick cone, and the Pantheon in Paris with its oculus illuminating the interior.
Modern domes are usually constructed in concrete or steel giving thinner construction and a wider range of forms. Another type of dome design that originated due to the amount and cost of the extensive formwork required to construct domes was Bini's inflatable domes.
Bini's shells popularity grew due to their high strength, low cost approach compared to conventional structures and where constructed all over the world for variety of uses. Due to structural issues arising from faulty construction process's/design some of the domes encounted structural problems. Two examples of a 'fragile bubble waiting to break' (C.Hubben, 2010) are the Pittwater and fairvale High schools.
Click here to return to the top of the page.