ROMAN ARCHITECTURAL FORMS AND BUILDINGS BECAME MODELS FOR MOST WESTERN ARCHITECTURE TODAY. THE ROMAN DOME BUILDING TECHNIQUES ARE THEIR MAIN CONTRIBUTION, AND THE INFLUENCE OF THESE TECHNIQUES CAN BE SEEN EVERYWHERE.
Influences in Today's Architecture
The Texas State Capitol Building dome is modeled after the Pantheon's dome design
The Romans perfected the unreinforced dome design with the creation of the Pantheon. This dome form can be seen in many buildings today, such as the US and Texas Capitol buildings and the Library at the University of Virginia. The Roman use of vaults and intersecting arches continued into the Middle Ages and then to the modern day. Romans continued to use Greek columns, pediments, and reliefs. A prime example of this form in the modern day is the US Supreme Court Building (see Part 1). Rome's architectural forms were so revolutionary that they are still used today, and they will continue to be for many years.