I’ve always wanted one of those miniature rooms on the top of my house. You’ve seen them before, usually on larger houses or down by the shore. It turns out they’re called cupolas and pronounced CUPE-o-la. Technically the term covers protrusions of all sizes, from the capital dome to little vents on barns.  I would definitely want one with windows that I could go up and sit in. Like this one here in the West End.
It’s tough to tell exactly how big this example is (could both gain access AND fit a chair for reading?), but the windows open, so I would have a nice breeze if I could. It looks to me like it is a little bigger than the dormers, so it’s close to being usable space.
From what I’ve read, cupolas historically served a few different purposes.Â
– In homes by the shore, they generally have windows and were built so that the home’s owners had an unobstructed view of the water. In those cases they are enclosed examples of the “Widow’s Walk” since so many men unfortunately never came home from sea.
– In barns, and in some cases in homes, the cupola serves as a vent. Hot air rises, so by putting a vent at the very top of the structure, the architect can encourage natural air conditioning. This is a passive version of attic fans, where the hot air is actively blown out from the top.
– Cupolas also serve a design element, giving the outside of a structure a specific look. If they rise above an open ceiling, they can illuminate a large space with without too much direct sunlight. The main social area at Darden, the business school Amy and I attended, makes excellent use of the cupola for lighting.
– Finally, Wikipedia notes that they were used as lookouts for Indians. However, the same entry also notes that they are often seen in Victorian architecture, which was well after the time when Indians were a major concern in the upper Atlantic states. So we’ll take this one with a grain of salt.
Whatever their use, they are a unique part of a home and a distinctive design element. Since it’s unlikely that we’ll ever own a home with one, I think my only opportunity to check one out in person will be the next time we rent a house at the beach with our friends. Guess that means I shouldn’t protest so much the next time Amy talks about heading to the shore.