Cupolas are both ornamental and functional in design. They are placed on top of domes or roofs and provide ventilation and natural light. This natural light is great for attics and loft spaces. The word cupola comes from a Latin term “little cupo” or little dome. Cupolas are made from an assortment of materials, which include aluminum, wood, fiberglass, and vinyl. The tops of the cupolas can be covered in either traditional shingles or copper.
The Humble Beginning of the Cupolas
Cupolas began to appear in Islamic architecture around the 8th century. These first cupolas were very large and contained one or more balconies by which criers would call for prayer. These large cupolas were placed on top of minarets.
Later on, these architectural structures were not limited to government building but could be found on homes in the Middle East and India.
Later on, nomadic Moors brought them to Europe by way of Spain. Cupolas are very prevalent in Bavarian and Austrian churches where the domed roofs topped with cupolas prevented snow from accumulating and collapsing the structure.
Earth Hour 2012 will occur on March 31, but to understand what Earth Hour really is one must understand the history. The World Wildlife Federation of Australia started Earth Hour in 2004. The purpose of this celebration was to make Australians aware of climate change. While many ideas were bounced around, the WWF of Australia decided to contact an advertising agency for help. The Leo Burnett Sydney agency was contacted and a plan was designed to get Australians engaged in issue of climate change.
Sun clocks or sundials are the oldest device known to man that was and still are used to tell time. The principle behind a sundial is very simple. As the sun rotates around the earth and moves from east to west, it casts a shadow. This shadow is then used to predict time.
Before you plant the first seed in your flat or plan your garden, you will need to check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This is a crucial step that many gardeners skip because they do not know how to use the map or do not understand the information on the map.
As gardeners prepare for the upcoming gardening season, many will be viewing incoming seed catalogues along side their morning cup of coffee. Throughout the catalogue plant hardiness zones will be mentioned but do you really know the history behind these maps? This tale is full of intrigue, competition, and human nature.
Regardless of what type of green space you may have, there is no reason to spend your summer drudging through your garden to do list. Utilizing a few or all of these techniques will lighten up the wheelbarrow load of garden chores while reducing ones stress and carbon footprint.
Whatever your level of experience on the grill may be no one is immune from making mistakes. There are countless little nuances to cooking, and if even a few of them are overlooked your results can be dramatically different from what you were expecting. Most errors made on the grill result from overlooking a small part of a simple technique or process. Below are some of the most common mistakes people tend to make when grilling, and some easy ways to avoid them.
Rain chains are a wonderful addition to any landscape. They can add sound and direct water in a stylish way while meshing cultures.
Aromatherapy has a long history; as a matter of fact it has a history that is 2700 years old. The literal definition of aromatherapy is aroma or fragrance and therapy or treatment. In other words, aromatherapy means fragrance treatment.
It was Romeo who said “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet,” but long before he pondered the meaning in a name underneath Juliet’s window, the rose already had a long established presence in the pantheon of love and the history of civilization.