1 / 15
Photo: Tiffany Denise Photography .
From:
FORBES + MASTERS.
Ancient Architecture
Don’t let the crisp, contemporary look of this ceiling fool you: Architects have been deploying exposed beams to distribute weight and create dramatic coffers (or indentations) since the Pantheon rose in Rome more than 2,000 years ago. The feature roared back to popularity during the Renaissance and has long been associated with opulent and classically inspired interiors.