Barns, Cupolas & Carriage Houses

CCH Carriage Sheds come in many forms and serve numerous purposes beyond a place to park. The rustic character that CCH Carriage Sheds are known for comes from their proper scale and proportions, and rely on their historic finish – provided by our custom cut, vertical, shiplap siding. When trimmed and sided with our exclusive detailing materials, the result is a barn structure with character that harkens back to centuries past.

Cupolas, big and small, are frequently encountered in colonial architecture. We find them crowning the roofs of courthouses, cathedrals, homes and barns. New England style architectural specialists, CCH helps clients choose an appropriate cupola to compliment their specific structure. Each cupola is carefully hand-made, scaled and proportioned by CCH craftspeople to compliment the particular barn, carriage shed or roof it will adorn, both in size and detailing. The cupola designs allow clients to choose from a range of features such as windows, wood louvers, spires and copper trim. They can be constructed to provide natural light in place of a skylight and even a spiral staircase can be added to use it as a lookout.

Curious about the origins of the colonial cupola? Wondering how did it become a common architectural ornament in colonial neighborhoods?

Its origins can be traced all the way back to the eighth-century middle-eastern architecture, where the cupola acted as the apex of a spire, calling people to prayer. The cupola was then adapted into early European architecture – the cupola itself protected the interior space from the elements, while openings or vents on the sides of the structure allowed light and air inside the building. Cupolas also acted as lookouts, lanterns and even belfries.

Once cupolas were integrated into English domestic architecture, they spread to the Americas. Evidence of the cupola design is apparent if one observes American architecture; especially during the post-Revolutionary Federalist era.

The design of the cupola started to become an extension of the design of the home: clear light windows, ventilation pieces, and moldings took on the expression of a Colonial, Federal, or Greek Revival. If you travel through America now – particularly around the New England area – you will find hundreds upon hundreds of cupolas still adorning homes, barns and other structures – either decorative or functional.