La Volta, la cupola

Summary

The video script explores architectural structures, focusing on the use of vaults in Roman architecture. It explains how vaults, based on the principle of the arch, cover large spaces and transmit weight to supporting walls. Different types of vaults are discussed, including the barrel vault, annular vault, and groin vault. The script also highlights the Roman invention of the hemispherical dome, which is used to cover circular or polygonal spaces, and how it can be adapted with pendants to cover square or irregularly shaped areas.

Takeaways

• 😀 The vault is an architectural structure based on the same principle as the arch, used for covering large spaces.
• 😀 The vault transmits weight to supporting walls and shares names with elements of the arch.
• 😀 Romans primarily used barrel vaults, annular vaults, and groin vaults for their architectural designs.
• 😀 These architectural solutions were continued in later centuries.
• 😀 The Romans made extensive use of domes to cover central spaces, often circular or formed by regular polygons inscribed in a circle.
• 😀 A barrel vault is constructed based on an imaginary semicircular arch, with generators running along two parallel lines.
• 😀 When the generators of a barrel vault are inclined, it can be used to cover a staircase or inclined path.
• 😀 An annular vault is created when two barrel vaults intersect, with circular generators forming the structure.
• 😀 A groin vault is formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults, with arches on all four sides of the space to be covered.
• 😀 The hemispherical dome, invented by the Romans, is a surface of revolution created by rotating a semicircle around a vertical axis. It is ideal for covering circular spaces and can also be adapted for square or polygonal areas.

Q & A

What is the definition of a vault in architecture?

A vault is an architectural covering structure based on the same principle as an arch. It consists of adjacent sections that transmit the weight to the supporting walls.

What are the key types of vaults used by the Romans?

The Romans mainly used the barrel vault (volta a botte), annular vault (volta anulare), and cross vault (volta a crociera).

What is the function of a dome in Roman architecture?

The dome is used to cover central spaces, typically with a circular or regular polygonal floor plan, and was widely utilized by the Romans.

How does a barrel vault differ from a cross vault?

A barrel vault covers a rectangular space and is constructed from a single, continuous arch, while a cross vault is formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults, covering a more complex area.

What is the significance of the annular vault in Roman construction?

The annular vault is used when two concentric circles form the structure of the vault. It is an extension of the barrel vault principle applied to circular or concentric shapes.

What are 'generators' in the context of a barrel vault?

The generators are the imaginary parallel lines that guide the formation of a barrel vault. They represent the tops of the walls and can be inclined, especially when the vault covers a staircase or inclined path.

How does the interconnection of two barrel vaults create a cross vault?

The cross vault is created by the intersection of two barrel vaults, with the arches of the vaults positioned on the four walls of the space to be covered.

What is the vault pavilion, and how is it created?

A vault pavilion is formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults, with the line of support placed on opposite sides of the space to be covered.

What is the geometric definition of a Roman dome?

A Roman dome is a hemispherical structure defined geometrically as a surface of revolution, created by rotating a semicircle around a vertical axis.

Can a Roman dome be adapted for non-circular spaces?

Yes, a Roman dome, although primarily used for circular spaces, can be adapted for square or polygonal spaces by using appropriate connections like pendentives.