Brunelleschi’s Dome: Engineering Genius and Lessons for Modern Builders

What can a 15th-century dome teach us about modern architecture? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this episode of Building Better with Riley Carter, we explore the extraordinary story behind Brunelleschi’s Dome—a feat of engineering that solved one of the greatest structural challenges of the Renaissance. Discover how a goldsmith-turned-architect designed the world’s largest masonry dome without scaffolding, invented new machines, and laid the foundation for centuries of innovation. From double-shell construction to herringbone brickwork, we unpack the techniques and leadership strategies that still resonate with today’s architects and builders striving for resilience, efficiency, and beauty. A masterclass in turning constraints into creativity.