Cupola
A cupola is a small structure located on top of a building’s roof or dome. It is common for cupolas to have a round or square bases, but they may also be polgonal.
Originally, cupolas had functional purposes, such as to admit light and air or to provide a lookout position. In these cases, the entire main roof of a tower or spire might be referred to as a cupola. Cupolas differ from bell towers, steeples or campaniles in that they are details on a structure rather than being a structural part of a building.
Cupolas with small windows to allow light into the area below are called ‘lanterns’ and are often found at the top of domed roofs.
A variation of a normal cupola is one that can be reached by climbing an internal stairway. This is often called a belvedere or widow’s walk.
Modern cupolas are mostly ornamental architectural features crowning the main roof, sometimes providing a position for a flag, religious symbol, weather vane, and so on.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Architecture of concert stages
Have a look at some of the most impressive concert stage designs of all time, including Pink Floyd, U2, Rolling Stones, and more...
What is the Home Quality Mark? Find out how it can help you when buying/renting a new home.
Business Secretary launches £246m Faraday Challenge to establish UK as world leader in battery technology.
Government announces new plans for regulations to improve safety and security awareness of drone users.
Read our introductory article to the various different types of fuel.
IHBC book review: Charles Barry’s monumental struggle to rebuild the Houses of Parliament.
Read about RSHP's British Museum extension which has been shortlisted for the 2017 Stirling Prize.
Read our introductory article to building a house extension.
More updates from DCMS about the large-scale testing of cladding systems and the number of buildings affected.
UandI secure resolution to grant planning consent for major new regeneration project.
Infrastructure and the historic environment
IHBC article considers how heritage is dealt with when infrastructure schemes are authorised.
It was the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years, but to this day the exact construction techniques are a mystery.
Shortlist for the industry's most coveted award announced.
Grenfell Tower articles updated daily
