Who says cupolas are no longer added to buildings anymore? A VA clinic in The Villages, Florida, has added one to a newly-created building. In addition to the while cupola, as seen in the picture accompanying the article, a weathervane was added to the structure. While this particular building is designed to be a full-service clinic for veterans, with 77 to 135 people being served per day, the addition of the cupola makes it more than an ordinary hospital. But this isn’t the only time we’ve seen a cupola added to an ordinary building, and it seems that, regardless of the purpose, a cupola is often added for symbolism rather than practicality.

We’ve discussed the practical purpose of cupolas before on this blog, including the original purpose in North America has a lookout tower on homes to their later use as a vent. But, during the 20th Century, cupolas were generally added as decorative structures to homes and other buildings, such as the case of Farmington High School in Connecticut and a gas station in Brookline, MA. Although adding such a wooden structure to a roof is decorative, what is the symbolism for adding a cupola now?

One such source of inspiration is the dome on the Capitol building which, even though rounded, is actually a cupola. This famous cupola is seen as symbolizing democracy and the freedoms associated with living in the United States. On a similar level, the cupola at Farmington High School was seen to symbolize ascent and high expectations for students. Combine these two sets, and any cupola added to the roof of a building can represent a combination of high ambitions and freedom. Considering the VA clinic in The Villages is aiming for more services for its patients, adding such a cupola to the new building seems accurate and symbolic of their goals.