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Ancient Roman Architectural Features For Your Modern Home

Ancient Roman architecture has features that made their monuments, buildings, and structures standing thousands of years later. Built from a strong legacy of grandeur and innovation, their designs are not just durable, but also identifiable, even with most of its original parts already went through renovations.

With modern homes now inspiring to become long-lasting that can stand natural disasters and time, ancient Roman architectural features can be brought to modern era once more.

Ancient Roman Architectural Features For Your Modern Home

Guzzo architects noted that Rome wasn't built in a day and their designs were not exactly unique since most were borrowed from Greek civilization, combined with their own. However, Roman engineers perfected some of these borrowed ideas that they become even better. Examples are their use of concrete, classical elements, and functional designs that maximizes tools and space they currently have at the time.

Meaning, by using Ancient Roman architectural features, you can embrace elegance with your modern home, no matter the available space and tools you have.

Also Read: 5 Ancient Architecture Techniques to Keep Homes Cool Without Modern Air Conditioning

Arches

According to Architecture Competitions, one notable ancient Roman architectural feature is their arches. If you have a low-ceiling area in your home that you want to maximize, this technique will give your room space so that natural light and proper ventilation can come through. Plus, it's also safer during earthquakes since an arc shape distributes weight efficiently that makes both the ceiling and wall more stable.

US-NATO-SUMMIT-DIPLOMACY-DEFENCE
The Heads of State of NATO pose with US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) at a photo op in the South Lawn of the White House before a State dinner at the NATO 75th anniversary summit celebration in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2024.
(Photo : ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Even the White House adapted this design to protect the most important person in the United States.

Domes

You've seen domes in churches and villas that were built for the last decades. Engineering Rome stated that this ancient Roman architectural feature provide a structural integrity but limited span. This means it's the best feature for small modern home owners who want to maximize their space with durable design that won't require them to build additional walls or beams.

Timeless Touch Traditional Dining Room, Boston

(Photo : Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc / Houzz)
Mosaic or Decorative Tiles

Over the years, either by accident or exploration, ancient Roman mosaic emerges that gave historians a glimpse of their culture and life. Most impressively, most are also more than a thousand years old. This is a Roman architectural feature you want to add to your modern home because it builds legacy, which you can pass down to your future generations. You don't necessarily have to be ancient with it too, since you can draw up mosaics or tiles that fit your personality or preferences.

oceanside master bath

(Photo : Anna Lisa Avelar Interior Design / Houzz)
Aqueducts

Modern homes are now sustainable, and we can gain an important lesson from Roman aqueducts. According to National Geographic Society, this water system can harvest rainwater that allowed Romans to use clean water during baths and even as drinks. Through modern technology, this can be transformed into clean water, which can reduce water consumption and utility expenses.

Inverness Blvd. Traditional Landscape, Austin

(Photo : MSA ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS / Houzz)
Related Article: Top 5 Ancient Stone Structures Around the World That Influenced Modern Architecture