Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

Rolly / Moderator

Mar 16, 2004, 3:20 PM

Post #1 of 9 (5894 views)

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Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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We don't have any colonial architecture in Lerdo. I don't understand why not; the area was first settled by the Spaniards in 1598. Nevertheless, we do have some interesting homes that sport domes and cupolas. You expect that on churches, and we have it, but I find the home domes more interesting.

Take a look here: http://rollybrook.com/domes.htm

Rolly Pirate

Miguelito

Mar 17, 2004, 5:01 AM

Post #2 of 9 (5838 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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Good photos Rolly. Here in San Miguel de Allende there are tons of domes too. In two of my rooms there are ceilings for which I have forgotten the Spanish word, it starts with a "b" and contains a "v" and "d". The construction is sort of a semi-dome made with bricks and mortar. I guess they must build a falsework to make the thing and then remove it afterwards. Regards, Mike

Los que cantan oran dos veces! (Those who sing pray twice!)

esperanza

Mar 17, 2004, 5:46 AM

Post #3 of 9 (5833 views)

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Re: [mikelangford] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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The word for that dome-shaped roof is bóveda, and here's a link to an article about its construction.

http://www.cmpbs.org/...D4.3-Earth_Block.pdf

At the end of the article is the section about roofs, complete with pictures. What's interesting to me (aside from the construction itself) is this statement from the article:

"Its structure, however, is somewhat of a mystery, in that Felix Candilla has tried but has been unable to analyze its properties. The mystery is that forces from such a flat dome would appear to exit on an angle on the periphery, but there is no need for a ring to surround the dome, since in actuality, the pressure is translated straight down."

I've watched the construction of both Guadalajara bóveda and San Miguel bóveda; no supporting structure is used during the construction of either. I think it's just a miracle...or as the article says, a mystery.

By the way, the same word, bóveda, is used to describe the shape of the heavens...la bóveda del cielo.

Maybe Rolly can give us some clues about how the construction works...of the roofs, of course, although we know that Rolly is an angel right out of heaven.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Jerry@Ajijic

Mar 17, 2004, 6:48 AM

Post #4 of 9 (5832 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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Rolly,

The domes are very interesting and quite attractive. However I would like to know if they also have any useful function, such as helping keep a house cool, lighting, etc?

Miguelito

Mar 17, 2004, 6:53 AM

Post #5 of 9 (5832 views)

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Re: [Jerry@Ajijic] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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My domed rooms are about 12' at the highest point. The top of the walls are about at the 10' level at which point there is a "ledge", decorative and coved, and whole ceiling looks likt is just "sits" there. The "dome" part is really shallow, no more than 2' and probably less than that. I've been up on the roof and walked across everything and it couldn't be stronger. I've also heard the artisans who can do this work aren't that plentiful anymore but there's still an awful lot of them around so that may not be true.

Los que cantan oran dos veces! (Those who sing pray twice!)

sandykayak

Mar 17, 2004, 8:30 AM

Post #6 of 9 (5816 views)

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Re: [mikelangford] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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i've been told the domed ceiling is called "boveda catalana" "boveda" is a vault and catalana is from Cataluna in Spain. vaulted ceiling.

in the El Parque houses in San Antonio Tlayacapan (next to Ajijic) the 2nd bedroom and the closets have these ceilings. In one of the model homes they painted it white to see if people liked them, but they won't do that again. Turns out even the gringos prefer the bare bricks and mortar look.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

robt65

Feb 11, 2011, 7:14 PM

Post #7 of 9 (4098 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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Hi Sandykayak,

Evidently there are several different designs used in the construction of the boveda. I have four bovedas on our new home that we are currently renewing the exterior protective coating on. One type of design is called the "catalana" (as you correctly stated),and is a design prevalent in the Cataluna section of and in Spain . . . . . . and it goes round and round. There are other designs such as the "herringbone" which can be divided into quarters or eights, etc., as well as others.

Robt65

sandykayak

Feb 11, 2011, 7:23 PM

Post #8 of 9 (4092 views)

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Re: [robt65] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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Wow! A reply seven years later! Lol
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

robt65

Feb 11, 2011, 7:30 PM

Post #9 of 9 (4086 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Domes and Cupolas -- a new webpage

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sandykayak,

Hi sorry about being late with a response! (smiling) wasn't around these parts seven years ago. If you are like me I thirst for knowledge and thought . . . . . . "better late than never". It really is an interesting subject. I also heard that the Masters of bovedas are fast disappearing. That's too bad. It has been interesting doing some research on such roofs. After refinishing the ones we have in our home we then have to go inside and really clean the underside (exposed brick) and re varnish . . . . . that ought to be fun . . . . . . I see a raincoat in my future! (smiling) We happen to have the herring bone design. It really is a mystery.

robt65