Uitgangkoepels

Uitgangkoepels is a Dutch term that combines uitgang (exit) and koepel (dome). The expression is not part of a single, standardized architectural taxonomy, and its exact meaning can vary by source. In general, it refers to a small dome or dome-like cap associated with an exit, often serving to light or weather-protect an exit area or to mark an exit route in a building.

In architecture, a typical uitgangkoepel is a modest, hemispherical or lantern-like dome situated above a doorway, stairwell, or passage. The dome may be transparent or translucent, such as glass or translucent material, to bring daylight into interior spaces; it may also be used as a protective canopy, shielding an exterior exit from rain. The design ranges from simple masonry domes to metal-and-glass lanterns.

In Dutch and Belgian vernacular and industrial architecture, such domes appear on railway stations, factories, and shops where an exit is emphasized as a distinctive architectural feature. They can contribute to ventilation, light, and wayfinding, while also providing weather protection.

Because the term lacks a widely adopted, formal definition outside specific sources, references to uitgangkoepels are sometimes descriptive rather than technical. If you have a particular building or source in mind, checking the original context can clarify how the term is used in that instance.

See also: dome, lantern (architecture), canopy, ventilation shaft