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Vaults In Roman Architecture

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With the invention of concrete, the Romans perfected making the arches and were able to create domes and vaults. The arch was and is still used as design for openings, entryways, doors and bridges. The vault is simply and arch with an increased in depth as seen in construction of their ceilings. The construction of vaults was used in the construction of imperial palaces and public buildings to create vast interior spaces. The Union Station in Washington D.C. is an example modern architecture with vaulted ceilings. The Roman basilica was a building in which judicial, commercial and governmental activities took place. It became the primary model for architectural design of modern Christian churches. These buildings usually has center nave with porticos along an aisle at each …show more content…

The center of the dome in Pantheon has an opening of 27 feet, which is enough for sunlight to enter as it lights the earth and it also allows rain and air to enter to provide cooling inside the building. The Byzantine Empire adopted this in their architecture and was followed during the Renaissance period. The Setia Corporate Headquarters in Shah Alam, Malaysia is an example of modern building with oculus. The same in Pantheon the oculus is open and it allows the water during rainy season to enter the building and is collected into its fountain. The oculus illuminates the dark walled interior and creates a dynamic reflection on its marbled floor and glass walls. Pompeii is a town in Ancient Rome that has been frozen in time. Through systematic excavation the people discovered the amount of colors on the walls of the buildings particularly in the villas of rich citizens and public buildings. They have painted their walls with architecture, still life, mythological scene or any decorative patterns. These paintings used a technique called fresco in which it is executed on wet plaster. The Romans used several pigments in their fresco painting to make it and it displays their

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